Valentine’s Day - His Favorite

Valentine’s Day, aka Friendship Day – was Kai’s absolute favorite holiday (that’s right, it even beat out Christmas!). This will come as no surprise to those who knew him well. Kai was a lovebug, who instinctively brightened people’s day by smiling at them, laughing with them, or offering up some encouraging words if they were feeling down. He woke up every morning wanting to snuggle with me before getting in gear for the day. When he sat on the couch next to Vic, he always put his arm around him like they were buddies. And he was always ready to give someone a hug. I’ve never met anyone in my lifetime as full of genuine, full-to-the-brim love as my Kai. On this day last year, which happened to fall on his favorite day of the week, he woke up saying “Happy Friday, Mommy…and Happy Valentine’s Day!” and then gave me a kiss and told me he loved me. Later, with the excitement of a kid in a candy shop, he proceeded to hand out Valentine’s stickers at school and at the hospital, bringing smiles to many-a-faces. This year, in his memory, we have delivered Valentine’s stickers and gifts to his school – Learning Spring, his hospital – Memorial Sloan Kettering, and the Ronald McDonald House in NYC; where teachers, classmates, doctors, nurses, and staff who loved and adored Kai will proudly wear them and help distribute them, spreading some of Kai’s love and inspiration to others. ¡Feliz Día de la Amistad / San Valentín, Little Buddy! You are love and you are loved, forever...

-Mommy