I had some unexpected company on Saturday afternoon — had to cancel my afternoon plans to facilitate this but it was worth it. When I heard the knock at the door I opened it with a big smile and exclaimed with pleasure "Jude!"

There he was, all bundled up against the cold, his mittened hand in his big sister's and ready for fun. I love Jasmine's little brother for himself — the seriously awesome little dude that he is — but also because he is Jasmine's little brother, the son of the father of my child and the woman who step-mothered Jasmine so beautifully (and whom I consider a friend). It makes me happy to see Jude and Jasmine together. His picture is on our fridge. It makes him feel good to see it. "That's me!" he says and then he points to pics of me and Jasmine "That's Jazzy and that's Jazzy's mommy!" he says with a brilliant smile.

This weekend Jasmine taught Jude to play video games, "A lifetime skill." she told me. They played games and had lunch together. At one point they had "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge playing on Jasmine's Droid — singing and dancing to it. Yes you are I thought as I smiled. And I thought that there was more than one lifetime skill that they were practicing together this weekend. Even better than "game skilz "(don't tell Jazzy I said this, but) — they were practicing their "I love you skills".