Twoo Wuv

Todd and I have been married for a little over 17 years now, and we've known one another in varying degrees for the better part of 34 years. We've reached an age where a lot of our friends have married, had kids, and are beginning to divorce. Or in some cases, have already divorced and are remarrying.

I can't say that will never happen to us. Mostly because I've learned to avoid definitive statements like that. I've eaten my words far too many times after uttering "I'll never...". That being said, I genuinely like Todd. He is such a good man and I'm always so amazed at his generosity of spirit. 

The other day, I asked if I could borrow his iPod for the day so I could go running. (Technically, I own an iPod, too, but mine is big and clunky and no fun to run with. His is delightfully small AND has my running mix loaded on to it.) But he and the kids have been listening to the musical "Hamilton" on the way to school each morning. When I remembered that, I waved him off with the kids and told him that I would just run later that night when he got home or run without it during the day. No problem. 

Todd is so busy at work with meetings that we often have zero interactions throughout the day. So he leaves the house at 7:20 am, and I don't see him again until 7 pm. (You can take the businessman out of New York...) However, 20 minutes after leaving the house that morning, he pulled back in the driveway. I assumed he'd forgotten something, so I opened the front door to find him coming up the walk with his iPod, as he hurried back to his car to get to work after handing me said iPod he said, "We've listened for the morning, now you can use it to go running today!"

Such a simple little thing. But a reminder that he cares, and is willing to go out of his way when he can to make my day a little nicer.

Yesterday was a hard parenting day. (That's the second one in a week and with a different child. We haven't had those in a while, for which I'm grateful, but two in one week was tough.) I was emotionally spent by afternoon. I knew I couldn't call Todd because he's always either in a meeting or heading to one, and I didn't have the energy to craft an email about everything that had gone on and what I was feeling. But I needed to loop him in. We exchanged a few simple texts. He was having a hard day, too, though in different ways. Then last night right before bed, he gave me the last hoarded piece of his Valentine's Day chocolate and prayed wishes for an easier day today.

It takes so little to show someone you care about them. And while neither Todd nor I are perfect at anything, even and especially that, I appreciate the small and simple ways in which he tries.

If there were any secret to a happy relationship, it's those small and simple acts of caring. Those little things that say, "Hey, I was paying attention to you enough to know that you could probably use this." 

I am fortunate enough to be told daily by my husband that he loves me. I am kissed each morning as he leaves the house and each night when he comes home, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about these two small examples of caring from the last few days. They were sweet and thoughtful and unexpected and so very appreciated. 

Guess all those hearts with "MTS + EAB" drawn all over my 9th grade algebra book cover were worth it, even if I did end up having to retake the class. ;)

Sometimes "this" is a date to Jeni's for ice cream.

"If they asked me, I could write a book"

Warning: There are at least a bazillion photos in this post.  Proceed at your own discretion.

Today is our 15th wedding anniversary.  We try to do a trip to celebrate our anniversary every 5 years.  So, a couple of weeks ago we managed to time a trip perfectly in between blizzards to NYC.  It was delightful! 

Todd on the airplane.  Reveling in the super cheapness of the plane tickets I found, no doubt.

Part of a series of photos we like to call "Let's text pictures to the kids that will make them jealous!"  Us getting Jamba Juice in Penn Station is jealousy inducing.  (Though my kids are partial to the one right by the subway station at Lexington and 53rd which is our traditional breakfast when we tag along with Todd on business trips.)

We dined at Ellen's Stardust Diner where my dear friend Chris-Ian is a waiter and performer.  And if you are eating gluten free or vegetarian GET THE VEGGIE LASAGNA!!  So. Good!

We took Todd's cousin, Cameron, with us to dinner.  Because we like him.  Look at how adorable he is!

And then we went to see "Twelfe Night" which was the most satisfying theater experience I've had the pleasure to enjoy in the last decade.  It was incredible! They did everything as traditionally as they could without doing it at the Globe Theater.  I wish that every kid who has slogged through reading a Shakespeare play in high school could go see this and really understand what a Shakespeare play is supposed to be like!  It runs through the end of February. Go see it!

Quick stop at the Times Square Toys R Us to take more pictures of things that would make our kids jealous.  We're mean parents.

The next day we slept in, breakfasted late, braved the rain and went to the LDS temple at Lincoln Center.  It's so beautiful inside and such a stark contrast to the bustle and noise right outside the doors.

After the temple we headed over to the Guggenheim and saw the Christopher Wool exhibit.  This is shockingly my first time at the Guggenheim, but I am a convert!  I loved being able to experience the art up close, but then continue up or down the museum and experience it from afar.  It made me realize how much a traditional gallery set-up limits the way you can experience art.

And then off to a gluten friendly Indian restaurant where we sent another picture to our kids.  This one of Todd enjoying naan.  Benjamin would happily live off of nothing but warm naan if he were allowed to do so.

We couldn't figure out why this train was so uncrowded as we headed down to the theater for that night's performance.  Then we noticed the sleeping man.  Oh, well.  On a rainy day in the city, it's tough to find a dry place to nap.

After we saw the new musical "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder" we splashed back up to the apartment we were staying at and put on dry clothes to cuddle on the couch for a bit before bed.

The next day we headed down to Bleeker St. where there were blocks and blocks of places that catered to the gluten free!  Two pizza places and three macaron shops all on the same street!!!  And this place. It was closed, but I like the signage.  I love the village.  

And then back to Penn Station to catch the train back to the airport.  The monitors just aren't as fun as the big flippy chart used to be, but I suppose progress is like that.

View from the train. I know it doesn't look like much, but it still looks like a piece of home to me.

It was delightful to have a trip for a few days that was just the two of us.  And even more delightful to realize that we still really like each other and were happy to spend as much time together as we could.  We have many wonderful friends and relatives in the area, but we decided that we wanted to just be us on our trip.  It was nice to feel good about that together.

...

Conversation at dinner a couple of weeks ago:

todd: I really tend to overuse the ellipsis.

me: Well, I overuse it more than you!

todd: Nuh-uh!

me: yes-huh!

todd: No, I do!

me: Actually, I...


I love lively and intelligent dinner conversation, don't you?

Rehearsal Love

     

WARNING!!  This is not visually appealing at all.  My camera was sitting on top of the piano and facing the wall for four minutes. 

This is a recording of Todd and me rehearsing for a duet we have to sing Saturday evening.  It is not great.  We screw up notes and words and me playing the piano while singing typically leads to sad noises.  (Happily we will have an accompanist who actually can play the piano.)  

The reason I am posting this is because listening to it makes me happy.  Hearing Todd's lovely singing voice makes me fall in love with him a little bit all over again.  The first time he and I sang together, I was four and he was five.  All these years later I still haven't tired of singing with him.  Even more than that, I love that while rehearsing we are silly.  We laugh and joke and sing.

When I listened to this again today, I thought, "If Todd were suddenly gone one day, this is what I would remember.  How I felt doing this.  How I always feel doing this."

While this is no treat for your eyes, to my ears at least it sounds like love.

San Francisco 2008

I'm back!

And I'm really sore. But I'm also very satisfied.

First of all, San Francisco is one of my most favorite places to visit. Part of it may be the wonderful people I visit, but I think the other part is just the feel of the city. I love it there. The weather that keeps you guessing, the beautiful terrain, and the fabulous cheap food. What's not to love?

I got three hours of sleep before I woke up to catch my plane from Columbus, so when Sunny picked me up at the airport (which he kindly offered to do despite never having met me. You rock, btw, Sunny) I was already a little out of it. Still, it was a sunny day in SF with my new friend Sunny and we headed off immediately from the airport to eat Indian food. Mmm. Indian food. Once my mouth and tummy were both sufficiently happy, he took me to Sukhvinder's apartment. He totally would have entertained me the whole day, except I really needed a nap.

It was so great being at Sukhvinder's again! It felt a little like coming home since it was just last year that I helped her move in and shop for furniture. Happy memories! Shower and nap complete, I made my friend, Damian, come out and play with me.

Hm. I have no pictures of that. In fact, I don't think I ever take pictures when we play. I'm usually so busy dragging him along into whatever ridiculous activity I'm making us do, that I'm afraid if I let go long enough to get my camera, he might run away. Damian took me to the beach, only slightly unwillingly.


I love beaches. I like them cold and dark and angry and I like them warm and blue and sunny. Mostly I just like seeing the edge of things. (Living in the midwest makes me a little antsy.) The sun was out and the waves all sorts of fun to play in! And Damian made the most delightful squeaking sound every time the cold water got his jeans wet. When he started getting slightly shivery, we climbed up on one of the sand dunes and watched the sun set. Have I mentioned how much I love the beach? Sukhvinder and Sunny met us on top of the dune just after sunset for hugs and introductions all around. Okay, it was just me who hugged everyone.

This is an old picture of Damian, btw: (Look we have the same hair!)


(He's single and straight and owns stock in Google, ladies. I'll forward any inquiries on to him. If you're mean to him, though, I'll beat you up.)

Anyway, the four of us went back to Sukhvinder's apartment to get changed for dinner. While changing out of my wet and sandy clothes, I realized my phone was missing. Thus began the great phone hunt. We searched the apartment. We went back and searched the beach. Damian retraced our steps along the street. (Thanks, you guys.) It was gone, though. I called Todd to let him know what had happened and he replied that he'd just sent me a goodnight text.

I decided not to call the company just in case someone found it and was feeling honest. Apparently, though, around 3 am Todd received a txt message from my phone saying "F-- you, Todd. We're thru." While slightly off-putting, he knew it wasn't from me and went and canceled my account. Poor guy.

Anyway, dinner was delightful. The food was delicious (butternut squash ravioli in a butter and cinnamon sugar sauce with toasted sage) and the company was even better. I really love my friends. I know that sounds sappy and maybe even trite, but I feel so blessed to be loved by such wonderful and amazing people. Sukhvinder, I've known since we were 11 and Damian since we were 17. They have both become more dear to me over the years as our friendships have evolved and weathered all major life changes and continued on. It never ceases to amaze me that I can walk off a plane and into their arms and pick up right where we left off last time.

I'm going to get misty if I keep this up, so on to the next post! My day with the hot German boy!

PBJ Love

I could be doing all the laundry and cleaning the house to get ready for our trip next week. Or I could be reconciling my accounts and paying all of my bills before we go out of town. Or I could be making dinner, or baking the cake that Benjamin needs for Scouts on Wednesday. Instead, I have watched this youtube video WAY too many times today. But it makes me smile. =)