A Boy, a Girl, and a Ring

This past Friday, October 29th, my husband and I celebrated our five year wedding anniversary. Five years of marital bliss, which, for those who don't know, consists of the following:

• Copious amounts of laughing; belly laughs and laughing so hard you cry are usually the best
• Some bickering
• Lots of hugs
• Daily kisses, and every now and then, making out like a pair of teenagers
• The occasional knock down, drag out (just keepin' it real, folks)
• Knowing when to say you're sorry (see above!)
• Praying together, and for one another
• Waking up daily willing to bring your best game to the marriage
• Lots and lots of love

With this being the five year milestone, I wanted to do something really special for my husband, however as I had to work the entire weekend, plans of a short, romantic getaway had to be put on hold. Nonetheless, I wanted to mark the occasion and give him a gift that was meaningful, yet original, and of course it had to fall within the traditional anniversary gifts, which, for five years, is wood.

An aside: Did you know that every year has a traditional gift associated with it? Yeah, it's not just the big ones, 25-silver, 50-gold, 75-diamond. Nope, each year has one. Five is wood. If you're interested in what some of the other "years" are, click here. It's a pretty interesting list!

After considering several "wood" options and not finding one meaningful enough, it dawned on me one evening while I chatted with my mother-in-law; I already had his gift!

A few months ago, while vacationing in Wisconsin, I shot some photographs of an old, commercial fishing tug [boat] that my husband worked on in his teens. I remember him speaking of that boat, the Avis J, with deep affection, not so much for the boat, I'm sure, but more for that time in his life. It was a tough time, to be sure, but working on the Avis J made him feel a part of something special, and I know it helped shape the man he would later become, the man I married, the man I'm still madly in love with. Yes, the Avis J was the perfect gift. I had it enlarged and framed, and yes, it fit the traditional wood gift. It was a wood boat and the frame was wood. Perfect, right?

When I gave it to him that morning before heading into the office, I knew by his reaction that it was the perfect gift. I was so pleased that I'd not only given him something that reminded him of his past and how far he's come, but something that completely surprised him. I went off to work on a cloud.

That afternoon, dismissed early in preparation for the long weekend of work ahead, I went home to unwind, rest and have a mini celebration with my husband. When I got home, the hubs wasn't home yet, so I relaxed for a bit and reflected on the last five years and remembered the beautiful day I married my best friend. 

A few hours later, my amazing husband came home, bearing gifts. He walked through the door carrying a gorgeous floral bouquet. He gave it to me with a sly grin, then went back out to his truck, muttering something about "there's more." Seconds later, he reappeared with a little black velvet box in his hands. Suddenly I had butterflies in my stomach. I knew what that box held, and was cringing at how much he'd probably spent. With a gleeful smile, he said, "happy anniversary, my love" and opened the box. Before me, nestled among the black velvet, was a new diamond wedding ring. This man had upgraded my wedding ring. And it was beautiful!

Sadly, I robbed my husband of the reaction he was expecting from me. Caught up in the thoughts of how much he'd spent, and to be honest, that the diamond wasn't the shape I would have selected for myself, I quietly whispered, "oh my, you shouldn't have" as I watched his face fall in disappointment.

He asked if it was the cost or the ring that I had issue with, and made clear that the cost was something I need not worry about. He offered to exchange the ring. And to be honest, I considered it. (I know, I know, I'm a total brat!)

But I didn't return or exchange the ring. He put it on my finger, and it dawned on me: if this had been the ring he'd proposed to me with five years ago that day, I would have been over the moon! This was the ring he wanted me to have. It was yet another reflection of how far he, we, have come, that he was able to do this for me.

Today, almost a week later, I look down at my hand and see that huge rock glinting in the low light and I can't help but smile. After all, I am one very lucky girl!

Here's to unexpected gifts and my awesome husband!

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A Place of Solitude

With sixty degree temperatures and sunny skies, I couldn't help but pull my bike out today and go for a nice long ride. Ok, it was just under fourteen miles which isn't really long, but I haven't ridden in months and my bottom feels like it was a forty mile ride, so long we'll call it.

We live near a lake which is lined with parks, providing me with beautiful places to run and ride. It was along these trails that I wrestled my bike up hills and along tree lined paths. Not a particularly rough ride, I chose it for the distance, but mostly for the scenery. The lake, this time of year, tinged with the golden light of a setting sun, makes me forget the burning in my thighs as I pedal up yet another incline.

And then there's that one spot, about half way along my course. It's a bit of land that juts out into a cove of the lake. The trees come out of the water and in the evening, the sun turns all the water a beautiful red gold, and the trees are lined in light. On the tiny peninsula, there is a single bench, facing the water. The park path runs behind this and there is a road that can be seen from the bench, if one were inclined to tear their gaze from the spectacular light show flitting across the water.

During my evening rides, the path is a busy one. There are runners and walkers and dogs and kids and cyclists. Most are whizzing by, with nary a glance at the majesty of what is playing out in the sky, along the trees, and on the lake. Then, there are the mornings. Early morning rides during which the place is one of solitude. You can sit and reflect on God's glory, and wrap yourself in His peace. It is a place where the busyness of daily life is washed away in the oranges, golds, and blazing reds of a sun that chases the bluish purple hues of dawn into another day. It is a place I long to sit in for a moment of quiet, meditation, reflection.

Sounds lovely, doesn't it? I paused along today's ride, with every intent of photographing this little piece of heaven so I could share it with all of you. Then, I changed my mind. I wanted to protect this not so secret hideaway, keep it private. But even more than that, I wanted each of you to see it in your mind's eye, to paint it with the hues that bring you peace, to imagine the silence wrapping itself lovingly around you.

Here's to a beautiful place of solitude.

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Simple Blessings

There are so many small things I'm blessed with, things easily taken for granted, that I figured I'd list them, mostly for fun, but also to recognize God for the giving, merciful, AWESOME Savior HE is, for, after all, without Him, I have nothing. Please note, these are in no particular order.

1. Hot showers
2. Electricity
3. Indoor plumbing
4. Freedom of speech
5. Freedom of religion
6. My awesome husband
7. My adorable dog
8. My chatty cat
9. My family, nuclear and extended
10. Coffee
11. Bamboo knitting needles
12. Technology, and access to it
13. My friends
14. Rain, especially when I'm in a warm, dry place

Expect more lists like this, as my blessings are countless.

Here's to the God of love!