treas-ure

1: wealth of any kind or of any form.

2: something of great worth or value; also: a person esteemed as rare or precious

3: to keep carefully (a valuable or valued item).

4 the biggest and best and what everyone wants; also: the most you can love someone – whether you’re 3 or 23 or 46.

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“I love you,” said the little boy.

“I love you too!” answered the mother.

“I love you… more!” responded the little boy, smiling now. 

“Well, I love you the MOST!” said the mother, laughing.

The boy’s smile relaxed slightly. Suddenly, it widened.

“I love you… treasure!”

The word was unexpected, and she laughed.

She laughed, and then he laughed, and then they laughed together. Parker and his Mom. He was just three years old, and when he said it, it sounded like “Tweas-ah!. She asked him why he’d chosen that word.

“Everyone wants treasure because it’s the best and the biggest and everyone wants that!”

“Well, then I love you treasure.”