The hard ones need to be loved harder because they love hard.

They love hard the things that they like,

meaning that, yes,

on the flip side,

they really hate the things that they don’t like,

like

vegetables,

anything green,

anything that’s not a dino nugget, pizza, french fry, or pasta with a gallon of parmesan,

rules,

the word “NO,”

directives,

having to wait -- to talk, to walk, to do anything,

having to share -- snacks, toys, their mama

and, of course,

bedtime.

But they really love,

you,

you,

and, million times over,

you.

Their rock.

Their steady.

Their rock steady.

There safe space.

The one who always holds space for them and their

gigantic,

havoc-wreaking,

entertainment-delivering,

wild-hearted personality.

The hard ones need to be loved harder because they love hard and if ever you’re on the receiving end of that kind of spectacular fondness and attachment, try hard to remember just how special that is.