In honor of Teacher Appreciation Week, we gathered the family around the table last night and came up with a list of things we love about Sophie’s teacher, Ms. Y.

I could write a book on the topic, but I think this is a good start. All four of us — Sophie, Annabelle, Ray and I — contributed. I thought it was notable that both Annabelle and I came up with “She is patient.”

She is, and a lot of other things:

25 Things We Love About Ms. Y

1. I love her.

2. She teaches me about math.

3. We watched two “Moby” movies.

4. I love her skin.

5. And her hair.

6. She is peaceful.

7. She’s a very good teacher.

8. She’s so cute.

9. And funny.

10. She’s pretty.

11. She’s a very good writer.

12. She’s friendly.

13. She has good taste in music.

14. She lets Sophie slip in to class late without a late slip sometimes.

15. I love her stuff.

16. She is patient.

17. When I’m writing, it’s so quiet.

18. She helps me.

19. I love her body.

20. She says, “Oh, what happened?” a lot.

21. She’s friendly.

22. She told us about www.thelongthread.com

23. She is beautiful.

24. She has a lot of style.

25. I want to keep her.

A word about the photo: I was walking in from lunch, wondering what I’d put since I can’t put a photo of the anonymous teacher, when I noticed a prickly pear cactus making a perfect heart — something Ms. Y would particularly appreciate, I think. Kismet!