[caption id="attachment_182" align="aligncenter" width="229"]<a href="http://michaelvain.net/news/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/daddy001bm.jpg"><img src="http://michaelvain.net/news/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/daddy001bm-229x300.jpg" alt="My Special Valentine" width="229" height="300" class="size-medium wp-image-182" /></a> My Special Valentine[/caption]


My Dearest Savannah, 
It is Valentine's Day, and though I wanted more than anything to be able 
to spend this day with you and your mother,  we have been forced to 
spend it apart.  I've been sitting here all night, looking at pictures 
of you both, remembering all the times we have had together as tears 
fall from my eyes.  I try to make them stop, but I can't.  The love I 
have for you both overwhelms me, and I would gladly sacrifice more than 
I already have just to hold the both of you again.  Had things gone my 
way, I would have given you and your mom some gift, some sign of what 
you both mean to me, and done my best to make your day as sweet as the 
smiles you give me.  I know you are too young to read this, but I hope 
against hope that maybe your mother still misses some small part of the 
times we had together, and though I know better, I hope she remembers 
how I used to make her feel, even if it were for a second.  I want so 
bad to make you both happy.  It has put an ache in my heart that only 
you and she can erase. 
I want you to know I love you, and always will, no matter what may 
happen in the future.  We spent every day together for almost 2 years, 
and it was never enough.  I would put you to sleep at night, and even 
though I may have been tired, it would only be a short time before I 
would miss you, and had to resist waking you up just so I could play 
with you again, so much joy did you bring into my life. Every time you 
smiled at me, I could feel my heart swell with love to the point where I 
could barely contain it, just as it did every time your mother smiled at 
me, as it did every time either of you held my hand, or gave me the 
slightest attention.  I can't tell you, or anyone else, how lonely it is 
being without the ones I love the most. 
I want you to know that despite everything, I love your mother with all 
my heart.  She is the most beautiful, creative, amazing woman I have 
ever known, and no one will ever hold my heart like she does. Love is a 
powerful thing, little one, and when you find the one you love, I hope 
you are able to hold onto them and are never forced apart, for even 
though love can take you to the greatest hearts, it also has the power 
to tear you apart in ways you could not dream. Never be afraid though, 
for a true love is forever, and when you find it, you will know it to 
the deepest parts of your being.  And I love you, little Savannah, more 
than words can say.   Every second apart is an eternity, spent wondering 
if you are safe.  Even though we are separated by many miles, you are my 
Valentine, my little one, my miracle.  You looked at me every day with a 
love purer than anything I've ever known, and likely ever will.  Your 
mother once looked at me like that, and I wish somehow, through some act 
of Divine Intervention, that I could have her look at me that way again, 
and that we could be together in happiness and love.  If i could cut out 
the parts of me that changed her heart, I would do so without a thought, 
for you two mean more to me than anything, even my own soul. 
One day, you may have a little child of your own, and if you do, give 
them all your love.  Give them Valentines, and kisses, hold them close 
and tell them how much you love them, because you never know when it 
will be the last time.  Give them all you can, for you do not know what 
the future may bring.  Live in, and appreciate, every second you have 
together.  I always did, even though it may not have seemed like it, and 
now that you and your mother are gone, all I have are memories, and they 
can never come close to what it feels like to actually be there. 
I love you and miss you, my Little Valentine.  Give your mother a kiss 
and hug.  I wish I could.  Remember, your Daddy loves you and misses you. 

Happy Valentine's Day to you both.  I'm thinking of you both.  I only wish you were thinking of me.