Nearly 8 years ago, I found this and my world changed. As a result of a routine google search, I found Melissa, bloggers and blogging.

How appropriate, then, that yesterday, Melissa tagged me as one of her Bloggy Valentines. The tag is an invitation for me to write a brief Valentine’s ode to each of 5 other bloggers I follow.

In doing so, I’m hitting Publish on my 999th post.*

5 random selections from Feedly.

In the absence of classrooms, desks, and shoeboxes, I now hand out my bloggy Valentines.

Eden of Edenland: one of my early blogging sisters (then as Topcat). It’s been such a pleasure to watch you come into your own, to settle into your voice, to remain authentic and grounded. I really enjoyed peeling back the veneer with you via your Dork Olympics and Gimme Shelter carnivals. And I’m thankful to you and your sister for the liquid courage sister that made this possible.

Noemi of Not a Wasted Word: Noemi has incredible stamina as a writer — she passed 1000 posts a long while back and is among the most prolific of bloggers. Also, I admire how willing Noemi is to look within, even when under attack and always with candor. She’s a courageous blogger.

Kathy of Bereaved and Blessed: Kathy and I bonded through book tours, Perfect Moment Mondays and Time Warp Tuesdays. She is a thoughtful, compassionate and connection-making writer whom I am fortunate to call my friend.

Welp, I can only do three, considering the time-sensitivity of this post. My son just fell off his bike and has a gash on his chin.  We’re headed to the doctor for a “wound assessment.” Reed is really hoping he doesn’t need more stitches.

**Update: 3 stitches.**

So Eden, Noemi, Kathy and the other 2 bloggers I was going to mention (one was definitely you) — consider yourself tagged. Here are the rules:

• Choose 5 blogs at random (or 3).
• Throw up a post with a sentence about what you love about each one.
• Tell those people to consider themselves tagged.
• Visit Stirrup Queens to put up a link to your post.  List closes 11:59 pm ET on the 14th.

* No clue what my 1000th post will be about. Any ideas or requests?

** For those of you counting along at home, that’s 1 stitch every 5 days this year.