Smells Like Love to Me

Have you ever had something that meant so much to you, you can't imagine life without it? Something that is comforting, is there in your time of need, makes you happy, is unjudgemental and has unconditional love.

Meet Belle's Pink Puppy. Today, Doug asked when the last time was Belle had a bath. "Either it's her or that Pink Puppy, but something is rank." No doubt...it's the puppy. I don't care how much I wash that thing, it will never look the way it once did. Why? Because she's loved it more than anything in the world! Seriously, if she is holding that puppy, her thumb will automatically go in her mouth. And if I didn't have it in the car everyday when I picked her up from school, she would instantly look like she was missing her best friend and go grab it as soon as she walked in the door.

One of Ben's baseball coaches jokes with her all the time about taking it from her. Always laughing. Never serious. But when she went over to their house the other day, she was adamant about leaving it in the car. Apparently, once inside, she told him she'd hidden it so he couldn't get it. Even though he's joking and would never take it...the girl ain't taking any chances!

The white parts on Pink Puppy will never be white again and believe me, I've tried every thing out there. Trust me on this. I don't know that I'll ever get it to completely smell like a springtime meadow, but when you ask Belle about that "odor" she simply says, "It smells like love to me." Too sweet.

I got it at a craft show when she was about 9 months old. At the time, she really loved frogs and they had a frog, so I picked up the frog. A sweet grandmotherly lady said, "Oh, you should get that pretty girl this pink puppy. It's as pretty as she is." Ummm...excuse me...I think I know my daughter, thank you. I handed Belle the frog, she quickly tossed it aside and reached for the Pink Puppy and it's been love ever since. Way to go for what you wanted Belle and love her (yes puppy is a "her") as much as I know Pink Puppy loves you. I love you, my Belle. Even though that puppy is stinky. I mean...even though it smells like "love". She loves that Pink Puppy completely and unconditionally. We should all love and be loved like that.