Dear Foreigner, I'll tell you what love is...

For those of you too young to know, remember or recognise it, ''I Want To Know What Love Is" is a 1984 power ballad from the group Foreigner. it's a question that's remained unanswered...until now.

Let me tell you what love is Mr Foreigner...

Love is getting home from work and recognising straight away that my little girl isn't quite herself. Yes, she might be skipping and dancing and singing but she's not eating or drinking. Still chipper, her bright eyes and bushy tail are not as bright or as bushy.

Love is letting my baby girl lie in the bath with me because she doesn't want to bath on her own, doesn't want to be in the lounge, doesn't want to be in her room. Bath time, which usually includes a sopping wet floor, soaked pj's and bubbles EVERYWHERE is quiet and it's only once her fingers go 'winkly' that she says she wants to get out.

Love is cuddling on the couch with a blankie over us because my baby girl just isn't feeling good at all. Not even Dora or Tinkerbell can cheer her up and even the tempting offer of playing games on my cell phone is declined. The offer of gummy loops, juice, jelly tots and wriggly worms, her favourite treats, are turned down and all she wants to is 'rest'.

Love is sitting with her on the bed as she shivers and shakes from a fever. It's putting blankets on and taking them off. Love is scooping her up in my arms and putting her in our bed so she can snuggle. Love is dad changing the sports channel to The Wonderpets.

Love is Emma throwing up ALL over me and me not even noticing. It's cleaning up the mess, getting a new change of clothes, sheets and pillow cover because there's upchuck everywhere. It's telling Emma it's okay because she's crying and saying sorry for messing in the bed. Love is not noticing the big pile of barf on the front of my makeshift pyjamas.

Love is an all night vigil with my baby girl. Monitoring her temperature, dabbing her face with a cool facecloth and letting her fall asleep in my arms while I sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to her. Love is wishing I could make her feel better with a hug or a kiss. It's tickling her back, as she groans through the night, because I know she likes it. Love is, even though I'm absolutely exhausted from a long night, smiling at my little girl this morning because she's feeling a little bit better

So Mr (badly dressed 80's band) Foreigner, THAT is what love is xxx