Love is in the air this Spring!

“In the Spring time, the only pretty ring time, when birds do sing… Sweet lovers love the Spring.”    —William Shakespeare

In recent weeks, a family of mourning doves has taken up residence at Taylor and Reid’s apartment (that’s my son and daughter-in-law for those who may not know–photo from proud mom below). What makes this extra special is exactly where the birds have decided to build their nest and start their family.

Here’s the story: Taylor and Reid are still newly weds. They got married on October 7, 2016. Among the decorations at their wedding, were two matching ferns that we had picked up for them.

I nursed both of the ferns through the winter of 2016, and over the summer I had given one of the ferns to Reid as a momento of their wedding. I had to keep the other as my momento, of course ;)!

Reid cared for the fern through this past winter, and put it out on their porch when the temps started climbing. In flew the mourning dove parents and quickly built a nest in the fern, right within 10 feet of their front door. Then the mom laid two eggs. This past week the chicks hatched. I have included photos.  Look closely under the mom (or dad) for the two babies. Precious!

Mourning doves are very monogamous, and often have up to six pairs of chicks per season together. They often stay together through the winter, or meet back up in the Spring to continue their family. They are devoted to each other and devoted parents. Both the mom and the dad incubate the eggs. Dad sits on the nest from morning to afternoon. Mom sits the rest of the day and night.

I think it is really sweet that this set of lovebirds decided to start their love nest at Taylor and Reid’s in this way. Is that just too much sweetness or what? I am so thankful that Taylor has found his soulmate in Reid. I have no doubt that God put them together. Together they have made their own wonderful family, complete with lovebirds on the porch.

I hope you are enjoying this beautiful Spring! “To find the universal elements enough; to find the air and the water exhilarating; to be refreshed by a morning walk or an evening saunter… to be thrilled by the stars at night; to be elated over a bird’s nest or a wildflower in spring — these are some of the rewards of the simple life.” —John Burroughs

We only have to stop to look for a minute to see the beauty and miracles of God’s creation all around us. Charles Spurgeon said, “It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy that is happiness.”

Dear Lord: Thank You for the beauty of Your creation, and for filling our lives with such good things. We have so much to be grateful for. Everywhere I look it is like You have painted the earth with breathtaking strokes. As You lovingly renew the earth with longer days and the warmth and beauty of Spring, may You renew in us Your spirit of warmth, beauty and love to share with those around us. We praise You that You are Lord of everything! Amen

LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Psalm 8:9

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning–the sixth day. Genesis 1:31

Please share your stories of Spring or just something you are grateful for on this beautiful day.

“Gratitude is the rarest blossom that springs from the soul.” Henry Ward Beecher

Thank you for reading and sharing my blogpost today. May God bless you and your family this Spring.