The Fifth Afghan Square

I just finished the fifth square. I hadn't done any knitting in a few days, so it was wonderful to get back to it and feel productive again! I'm finding that with each square I knit, I get more emotional about it. You see, the mother-to-be, who is a dear, dear friend, has a progressive illness, and yet she is overcoming this to become a mother through gestational surrogacy. With each stitch I knit, I feel my own hope that I might someday achieve the same thing blossom. This wonderful friend, whom I'll call "M," has done so much to me - she was the first person I met who was in a similar situation, and she has taught me so much. She is continually there for me, and, best of all, she has allowed me into her lovely life because of her own desire to help me achieve my dreams of success in motherhood, and in my profession in the health care field. I cannot wait to meet this child of hers. I've knit lots of baby blankets in my life, often for babies who were technically "closer" to me than this one will be, but this is absolutely the most important and significant one I've ever made. I feel like I'm knitting so much more than a baby blanket; like I'm knitting love and security and potential with worsted weight yarn and size seven knitting needles. I can't wait to finish this blanket and to give it to M and her baby. I hope that the love I'm knitting with will surround their lovely family forever.

Speaking of love, I hope that everyone had a lovely Valentine's Day. Mine was perfect - DH and I spent it quietly at home, and we cooked a delicious, romantic dinner together and baked some strawberry cupcakes, all of which we really enjoyed. I'm blessed with a husband who actually enjoys cooking with me! I love simple Valentine's Days - they always seem so much more significant, since you can really just focus on the love you share with people.