Bubba and I had a bit of a tough morning yesterday.

We were at a meeting and she had a total meltdown. I don’t know what started it, but once she got going she didn’t want to stop. It lasted about 20 minutes. Anyone with a toddler who has had a meltdown in a public place when what you’re really hoping for is best behaviour will tell you: that 20 minutes feels like 20 hours.

We left the meeting and went to a nearby cafe because by that stage mumma needed a big coffee. The cafe is in an industrial estate and they’ve added gorgeous gardens and a chicken coop. The building the cafe is housed in has been renovated to perfection. Remaining faithful to the industrial feeling, there are lots of glass and wood cabinets on the walls and hanging from the very high ceilings, Edison light bulbs at just the right height, a mix of tables and chairs that, although they’re all different, fit so well together, white subway tile sparkling from the back kitchen area, vintage kitchen pieces … and edibles to die for!

While we were standing waiting for my coffee, availing ourselves to the free water with fresh lemon to cool us down on a very hot spring day, Bubba wrapped her perfect little arms around my leg and gave me a huge cuddle. Then she kissed my leg a few times for good measure. Cue melting heart.

Coffee (very good coffee!) in hand, we had a lovely stroll around the gardens and said hi to the sheep sculputure (which I absolutely love and want one of a dog!) and the chickens. At the chicken coop Bubba entertained everyone by tucking her arms under like wings and flapping them and making chicken noises!

Our equilibrium restored, off we went to the market.

A couple of times as we wandered around the market, she put her arms up from the seat in the shopping cart and pulled me down for a cuddle. Other times she would grab my hand or arm and kiss it.

Pure, selfless, unconditional love.

That got me to thinking about the Champions of the Heart award our lovely friends at Collies of the Meadow bestowed upon us a couple of weeks ago. It’s extra special because they have given to only a few other blogs. It is an award given to special blogs who are examples of true love, the love that is selfless and giving of all one has in memory of their gorgeous Trevor. Regular readers will know that Trevor (or Ol’ Boo as Chuck called him), a dog I’ve never known other than through his family Chuck, captured my heart and took a little piece of it with him when he left Chuck’s side and joined the guardian angel pack.

Don’t trip on your dress walking up the stairs.
Don’t swear.
And don’t cry during your acceptance speech.

I imagine these are the three cardinal rules when you are the recipient of an award.

As hard as I tried, I couldn’t stick to the third point – either when I got the award, or when Bubba pulled me to her in the cart walking through the market for a cuddle.