“When he looks into your eyes, tells you he loves you-and the pickled herring and onions are stronger than his voice-yet you still smile. You still want to be close to him. Yes, then you have found love.”

“Mama. I chose you.”

“Shared joy is double joy," he said brushing a tear from my cheek, "and shared sorrow is half the sorrow.”

“Remember that stories are more than just words, more than fairy tales. They are magic.”

“With food, we feed our bodies. With family, we feed our spirits. And we are family.”

“And do I still have that look?" he asked."Yes just there," she kissed his eye. "The desire to love me is still there. If you look closely you can see mine for you, my tears never washed it away.”

“I love you," he whispered, kissing her. She smiled. "I love you, too."He was suddenly aware of Kaden lying right there. He looked at his friend. Kaden smiled. "Still not doing you.”