Rusty and I have reached a stage in life where romance is defined so differently than when we first met. . . as you age and life happens, you simply appreciate a comfortableness that occurs with couples who have been through some stuff. So we find romance in the little things . . . a simple text exchanged in the middle of the day, an impromptu dinner out, a ride in the country scoping out flowers for a family function. I know! I know! It doesn't seem very exciting, does it?
But love and commitment aren't always exciting. There are life changes--job stresses; caring for and in our case, losing our parents; children leaving the nest; keeping up a house; and on it goes. But along with the hum-drum things that come our way come some amazing surprises! And this Valentine's Day, we got one of the best!
We were so excited to hear from Emily last Friday when she called to ask our plans for the following night. Since my boys are deploying this week, her reason for the visit was to catch up with them before they left the country. Because there are so many things to be done in preparation for their departure, I cautioned Emily we may not get everyone together, but assured her that we would have a good time even if it was just the four of us.
Emily and Jeff got to our house around 6:30 PM just as I was putting the finishing touches on my makeup and plugging in the curling iron to do my hair. Rusty called out to me, "Come here!"
I thought to myself, "This is stupid! I know they're here, and I'll be ready in two shakes!"
"Give me a minute!" I said
"Emily said you needed to come here!" he said a little louder.
I mumbled, a little annoyed at the interruption but so happy to see Emily and Jeff.
I ran my fingers through my hair and walked into the den were Emily and Jeff were facing Rusty as if they were waiting for some profound message from him. Expressionless faces . . . just standing and sort of staring with this blank look although I did detect a little bit of a grin on Jeff's face.
In his hand, Rusty held a red envelope and said that Emily had a Valentine's card for the two of us that we were to open together. Neither of us had our glasses so we couldn't read the darn thing, and as I took a couple of steps to the coffee table to retrieve mine, it hit me! There was a little more to this card than a simple gesture . . .
But love and commitment aren't always exciting. There are life changes--job stresses; caring for and in our case, losing our parents; children leaving the nest; keeping up a house; and on it goes. But along with the hum-drum things that come our way come some amazing surprises! And this Valentine's Day, we got one of the best!
We were so excited to hear from Emily last Friday when she called to ask our plans for the following night. Since my boys are deploying this week, her reason for the visit was to catch up with them before they left the country. Because there are so many things to be done in preparation for their departure, I cautioned Emily we may not get everyone together, but assured her that we would have a good time even if it was just the four of us.
Emily and Jeff got to our house around 6:30 PM just as I was putting the finishing touches on my makeup and plugging in the curling iron to do my hair. Rusty called out to me, "Come here!"
I thought to myself, "This is stupid! I know they're here, and I'll be ready in two shakes!"
"Give me a minute!" I said
"Emily said you needed to come here!" he said a little louder.
I mumbled, a little annoyed at the interruption but so happy to see Emily and Jeff.
I ran my fingers through my hair and walked into the den were Emily and Jeff were facing Rusty as if they were waiting for some profound message from him. Expressionless faces . . . just standing and sort of staring with this blank look although I did detect a little bit of a grin on Jeff's face.
In his hand, Rusty held a red envelope and said that Emily had a Valentine's card for the two of us that we were to open together. Neither of us had our glasses so we couldn't read the darn thing, and as I took a couple of steps to the coffee table to retrieve mine, it hit me! There was a little more to this card than a simple gesture . . .
We're having a baby in our family! It's been about three years since we got one of these unexpected surprises, and as far as romantic evenings go, this night was one of the best ever!
There is nothing in the entire world quite as romantic as watching the circle of life repeat itself in your children! I can only compare it to that walking on air feeling you get with your first big crush . . . ah, but this is soooo much better. And even this doesn't compare to the day in October when we welcome Baby Brown into our hearts and our family!
Happy Valentine's Day!
There is nothing in the entire world quite as romantic as watching the circle of life repeat itself in your children! I can only compare it to that walking on air feeling you get with your first big crush . . . ah, but this is soooo much better. And even this doesn't compare to the day in October when we welcome Baby Brown into our hearts and our family!
Happy Valentine's Day!
