While we were in Newport, Ishu and I FaceTimed with Ankur after he got home from work so Ishu could say good night to his Ba-pa.

“Ba-pa,” he said. “Ba-pa.”

“Hi Ishu!” Ankur said in response.

Ishu stared down at the phone for a bit. And then took his finger, moving it up and down on his lips, making a burbling sound.

Ankur responded by doing the same thing.

So, now, they’re both making these burbling noises.

And then Ankur asked, “Ishu, what does a dog say?

“Bow bow!” Ishu exclaimed.

“Yeah! And what does a sheep say?” he continued.

“Ba-ba!” Ishu replied.

And this was the conversation. Back and forth. Asking Ishu to say the things he knows how to say. And making noises at one another.

It made me think about how love can be so DEEPLY expressed without having a “typical” conversation – even through a screen.

Some animal noises, some burbling, some blowing raspberries.

And I sat back watching these two love each other so hard.

The absolute best.

Today is Ankur’s birthday. And he has to work until pretty late. But I’m pretty sure the evening will be filled with all sorts of “conversations.” All sorts of “Ba-bas!” and “Moos” and burblings.

Ishu has all sorts of ways to show his Ba-pa he loves him.

Happy birthday to Ishu’s Ba-pa. Thank you for being his favorite. And my favorite. (But you were mine first).