A little something about LOVE

Today is Valentine's Day....I feel like talking about LOVE but a different kind...it's the love for teenagers. We have three in our home and soon enough there will be four. I just know that Heavenly Father sends us these sweet babies so little and so helpless so that we will fall completely in love with them and by the time they are teenagers it is too late...we already love them so much that we pretty much forgive all of their stupidity. I don't think I've ever felt so unsure of myself as a parent as I do raising teens. I'm constantly wondering if I'm making the right choices. I'm also constantly getting my feelings hurt. I have too tender of a heart as it is, but man, it's taking quite the beating here! There is no way to describe the feeling I get when my daughter looks right at me and says "I don't love you".....especially when I love her so much. I realize there is much manipulation going on here. I also can't describe the panic I feel at realizing how little control I really have over what they do or say when I'm not around. I can remember folks saying to me when my kids were little "oh, just wait til they are teenagers.....you think it's hard now??? HA HA, you just wait!!"....and now I say this same thing to people with little ones..."enjoy them now...eat up every minute.....for one day they will be teenagers!". I suppose ignorance is bliss. Now the good stuff.....although the trials and struggles are many....there are the good things.....watching them grow and become young adults....seeing them interact with adults and be able to hold their own.....seeing them accomplish great things.......watching my son's receive the Priesthood and use it......carrying on wonderful conversations with them. There's so many good sides to teens. Now, just remind me I said that the next time my daughter rolls her eyes at me.......