Quilting, Love, And Ketchup

I have been working on the quilt for my four year old, from just before my one year old was born. It's been a journey, let me tell you! Excitement ran rampant when I picked out the fabric, and I had wonderful visions of  a truly stunning master piece bedecking his bed in no time. I had that whole 'Quilt In A Day' book and everything.

Ha Ha.

Finally, after cutting strips, and then putting it away, and piecing it together, and putting it away- it actually became time to put it all together! Even more excitement ran rampant. My son very anxiously sat watching me, run each strip through the machine. This quilt means a lot to me. Like all the things I make, especially for my boys, I try to make with all the love I have in my heart. I thought it would be fun to explain that to him. Love is a very important secret ingredient to put in all things, even for little boys. It's important that they know it, too.
     My meaningful conversation went something like this:
Me: Do you know what we put in to everything we make?
4 year old: In E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G?
Me: Yes, everything. Food, quilts, paintings- everything!
4 year old: No, what?
Me: Love
4 year old: Love?
Me: Yes love! Like this!
And I began chanting lovelovelovelovelove while I pressed the foot to my sewing machine. My son was very intrigued, so I told him it was totally and completely important to get as much love into his quilt as possible. I told him that he should help. He held out his hands towards the quilt 'Darth Vader' style, squinted his eyes up tight and went 'LoveloveloveloveloveloveloveloveloveLOOOOOVVVVVVE!'. I smiled, he smiled, and I carried it on.
'What other wonderful thing can we put into it?'
'Hugs and kisses!' came the reply.
'Hugsnkisseshugsnkisseshugsnkisses' we laughed as we verbally added them to the quilt. I loved it. I basked in his smile, his excitement, his love. I had to ask again, I had to carry it further...
'That's good! That's good! What other wonderful thing can we add to your blanket!'
'KETCHUP!' shouted out his little voice.

Yes, ketchup. So, we squinted up our eyes, held out our hands, and chanted 'Ketchupketchupketchup'. Apparently, and it's good to know, that's his secret ingredient.