Today, as I looked back on the past four years of celebrating Valentine’s Day with Tom, it dawned on me that each year has catapulted between the calm and the dramatic and even traumatic. Four years ago, we were just beginning to get to know each other and spent some time together as friends enjoying some indoor rock climbing and talking over a simple meal.
~Indoor Rock Climbing~
The following year on Valentine’s Weekend, Tom got down on one knee in one of our most favorite spots in the world and asked me to be his wife for the rest of time. We had an incredible day together enjoying Vail, Colorado and riding a gondola up the mountain and then taking a snowcat to a special restaurant that overlooked the entire valley. The day could not have been more perfect.
Our first Valentine’s Day as married couple was again calm and yet special as we spent a quiet evening at home together, enjoying a carefully planned meal made with love for my new husband.
~First Married V-Day 2011~
But Valentine’s Day 2012 proved to me the most dramatic and traumatic holiday we have experienced thus far. Noelle was on day 69 in the NICU and had only recently come through some extremely difficult days, with her tiny body hanging between life and death as she battled heart issues and her first experience with pulmonary hypertension. A few short weeks later, she was extubated, beginning to drink drops from a bottle, and we were tentatively settling into a calmer, more “boring” routine in the NICU. But that was not to last. Valentine’s Day brought the diagnosis of ROP, an emergency transfer to the children’s hospital, further eye exams and assessments, intestinal issues, and an “I’ve had it” moment from Noelle in which she clamped down and refused to breathe for nearly a minute…almost requiring herself to be intubated again. At the time, she was hovering around the 2lb. mark, and as I watched her have one bradycardia {extreme dropping of the heart rate} after another through the rest of the evening, I wondered how much more this tiny girl could handle. It was an absolutely awful day, and not one that I enjoy remembering.
~Valentine’s Day 2012~
However, this year is yet again different and a far cry from where we stood at this time last year. Noelle is a little more than 10lbs. bigger than she was at this time last year, now weighing 12lbs. 10oz. This happy girl is the light of our lives and brings more smiles and laughter to this home than I ever imagined possible. Today is full of kisses, hugs, smiles, snuggles and even a milestone! Noelle rolled over from her back to her tummy for the first time {by herself} last night; and she has continued reinforcing it several times today, for which we are very excited!! Our little miracle seems to be “making connections” daily and understanding how to do new things. So as we enjoy the holiday, we thank God for our precious girl and the distance which He has carried us through this past year.
~Precious Details~
Happy Valentine’s Day from the Aguiar Family!!!
~Our Valentine Sweetheart~
What a wonderful history of some amazing memories- all testifying to God’s amazing love. Happy Valentine’s Day 2013!
Thank you, Miss Melissa!! We certainly enjoyed it much more this year!!
I will never forget crying as I read your postings and how fragile the situation was with her. As a mother, I cannot imagine watching and praying with every breath that your little one will beat all odds just one more day, one more hour, one more minute. I’m so grateful that God has allowed you and Tom the blessing of having your little girl there with you. God is good (even when He has a different plan than our own)! Give Noelle hugs and kisses from us in Colorado! Thank you for allowing us to be with you in thought and prayers through her journey.
Thank you so much for your many prayers and all your sweet messages to us. He is indeed good, and I hope we never forget these days… We’ll definitely pass along hugs and kisses from you and hope we see you when we are finally allowed to visit Colorado again!!
It is so hard to believe how much has gone on in a year! Every time I see pictures and read more of her progress, it brings such delight! Thank you for sharing!
I cannot believe it either…it still seems like yesterday most days…