[James Matthew Najera]

General Discussion Thread 02.02.2025​

Hey GrayViners,

Since February is the month of love (and chocolate, let’s be honest), I want to hear about a time when you truly felt loved. Not just the big, flashy moments—sometimes, it’s the smallest things that stick with us the most.

I’ll go first: One time, I got super sick—the kind of sick where even blinking feels like a workout. Out of nowhere, a friend showed up at my door with homemade soup, my favorite tea, and a stack of my go-to books. They even sat with me for a bit (from a safe distance, of course) just to make sure I was okay. It wasn’t anything fancy, but man, did I feel cared for.

Now it’s your turn! What’s a moment—big or small—when you felt really loved? Let’s fill this thread with all the warm, fuzzy feelings.

Cheers!
Blue

 

[slbrinker1953]

I feel love all the time but the last time I received a hug from my lover was jan 17 2023. the night before he passedd

 

[kiki]

I walk our dog even in frigid New Jersey weather 2 to 3 times a day. When I return home my wife has a hot cup of tea waiting for me. That is love

 

[moppyroda]

My ( future) husband was so scared to tell me he wanted me to be his girlfriend he had to smoke some pot! But I agreed.so getting married seemed to come natural

 

[SandyT]

Luckily, I feel loved all the time. One of the first times was when I barely knew my hubby. I was invited to a party by the company he worked for, for their customers. We chatted a lot while sitting on a grassy hill. He leaned in, kissed me and BAM went off the fireworks...litteraly. The rest is history, lucky for me!

 

[CLP]

When I was 3 years old before my father was killed in an auto accident.

 

[tiakaren59]

My grandson is 4 years old, and he is always with me on the weekends. Last week when he was here, he was kind of not so lovey and huggy like he usually is. But this past weekend, he saw me and came running out of the house grandma Grandma we go to Grandma's house! I got out of the car so that I could put him into his car seat, and he hugged me so tight and said Grandma I love you too moon and stars! I always tell him at bedtime we say our bedtime prayers and then I tell him don't ever forget I love you to the moon and beyond, and to the stars in the sky!!! He remembered that and told me the same when he saw me! And l he gave me the biggest hug when I picked him up to put him in the car seat.... I felt like a million dollars! That's like the truest form of love between a grandmother and her grandchild!!

 

[TriciaR]

I feel love all the time but the last time I received a hug from my lover was jan 17 2023. the night before he passedd

Thank you so much for sharing @slbrinker1953 . That final hug must hold such deep meaning for you. It’s incredible how one moment can stay with us so powerfully. If you’re comfortable sharing, what’s something about him—or about that night—that you continue to carry with you? Something that still makes you smile, even now?

 

[TriciaR]

I walk our dog even in frigid New Jersey weather 2 to 3 times a day. When I return home my wife has a hot cup of tea waiting for me. That is love

Thank you for sharing @kiki —it’s such a beautiful example of everyday love in action. That warm cup of tea says so much without a single word! Does your wife have little rituals she enjoys too—things you do for her in return? Or maybe a favorite tea you both share?

 

[TriciaR]

My ( future) husband was so scared to tell me he wanted me to be his girlfriend he had to smoke some pot! But I agreed.so getting married seemed to come natural

Thank you for sharing @moppyroda —it’s such a sweet and funny memory! Sometimes those nervous beginnings make the best love stories. Do you two still laugh about that moment? And was the proposal just as memorable—or a bit more relaxed the second time around?

 

[TriciaR]

Luckily, I feel loved all the time. One of the first times was when I barely knew my hubby. I was invited to a party by the company he worked for, for their customers. We chatted a lot while sitting on a grassy hill. He leaned in, kissed me and BAM went off the fireworks...litteraly. The rest is history, lucky for me!

Thank you for sharing @SandyT —it sounds like a scene straight out of a romantic movie! A kiss and real fireworks? That’s magic. Do you still celebrate that moment in any special way? Or have there been other “fireworks” moments in your journey together that stand out just as much?

 

[TriciaR]

When I was 3 years old before my father was killed in an auto accident.

Thank you for sharing such a tender memory @CLP . Even at such a young age, the love between a parent and child leaves a lasting impression that time can’t erase. Do you have a special memory or story about your father that’s been shared with you over the years—something that’s helped keep his presence close?

 

[TriciaR]

My grandson is 4 years old, and he is always with me on the weekends. Last week when he was here, he was kind of not so lovey and huggy like he usually is. But this past weekend, he saw me and came running out of the house grandma Grandma we go to Grandma's house! I got out of the car so that I could put him into his car seat, and he hugged me so tight and said Grandma I love you too moon and stars! I always tell him at bedtime we say our bedtime prayers and then I tell him don't ever forget I love you to the moon and beyond, and to the stars in the sky!!! He remembered that and told me the same when he saw me! And l he gave me the biggest hug when I picked him up to put him in the car seat.... I felt like a million dollars! That's like the truest form of love between a grandmother and her grandchild!!

Thank you so much for sharing @tiakaren59 —it absolutely melted my heart. What a beautiful bond the two of you share! Children have such an incredible way of reminding us what pure, unconditional love feels like. Isn’t it amazing how little ones remember the things we say with such love? It sounds like your bedtime words have truly become part of his world. Has he ever surprised you with other little moments like that?