Rick and I rarely get out together anymore. We used to ‘date’ quite frequently. Those days are long gone. One of us always needs to be with Josiah. Recently though we have found some amazing, caring babysitters who are wonderful with Josiah. It has enabled us to spend a night here and there out together, reconnecting.

Last night we were able to steal away for a couple of hours to catch a movie. It was a thrill for me. Since Christmas break, Josiah has spent more time out of school, home sick, than he has in school. That means, I’ve been here with him. It means long days and often, even longer nights. Chandler has been sick also. She has Strep and has been home quite a few days as well.I was glad to be getting a break.

It wasn’t long into the evening, before Chandler needed me. She had been feeling well enough to return to school for the first time yesterday, but then suddenly she began feeling poorly again. Her text messages started out insisting she wanted me. She asked me when I would be home from my date night. She assured me she was going to throw up and needed me to be there with her. She said she was miserable. She wanted to know exactly when I was going to be home. She sent me a sad face.

So much for an evening out. My heart strings were tugged with each incoming text message. I wanted to enjoy the movie, but found it difficult to focus knowing my daughter needed me at home and was pleading for me to return. Eventually, she fell asleep and was not returning any of my text messages.

Rick and I sat through the rest of the movie with no interruptions. Then, as we were walking out, I noticed he began texting. I figured Chandler must have woken up and was mad at me for not being there for her. I assumed she was now texting her dad, begging him to come to her rescue. When I asked Rick who he was texting, his answer brought a smile to my face. In an instant I was reminded of one of the reasons why I love this man so much. His compassion and love astound me.

The babysitter who was caring for Josiah had sent a message saying Josiah was suddenly very upset. She wasn’t sure what to do. She didn’t know what upset him or how best to console him. Without a moment’s hesitation, Rick knew exactly what his little boy needed and sent her a response. And, his advice worked.

I said, “What did you tell her to do?”, thinking to myself, I really don’t know what I would have suggested. Very nonchalantly he responded, “I just told her to give him his chewy tube and a big squeezy hug.”

My heart melted. A big squeezy hug. What better way to describe it? That is exactly what Josiah needed. His daddy knew.