Dear Steve, you had your first big work conference in Utah this past weekend. I was proud of you for going, but even more proud when you texted me a picture of the Olympic bobsled course and said, "Guess what I just did?" You are a daredevil and I love it.
If you've been reading my blog for a while, you probably remember this post when I decided to train for a marathon. You may also remember this one, when I hurt my left calf and had to rest. Then I was dealt a pretty severe knee injury that left me unable to walk down the stairs without pain. It was pretty bad. So my marathon training went on temporary hiatus.
{Following this sweet series by Elle & Co, every Monday I write four letters - two to my husband and and two random letters to whatever else I is on my heart each week - in an effort to practice thankfulness on a more routine basis. Feel free to join me!}
Dear Steve, when I woke up with that migraine on Saturday morning I felt terrible. You went out of your way to cook food for me, to make sure I was comfortable on the couch and to embrace a relaxing "date night in" with a classic movie marathon since I wasn't up for much else. Thanks for going with the flow and loving on me while I was down in the dumps.
There are some things in life that, whenever I experience them, they take me back in time. It's like I am immediately transported to another time in my life, just at the whiff of a particular smell or the slightest glimpse of a familiar image. Memories come flooding back to me and I can bask in them for a few precious moments. It's amazing how powerful our senses can be.
Some of my favorite triggers:
The smell of coffee // my dad, brewing coffee at home when I was young. Such a comforting, soothing smell.
Diet Pepsi // Pops. He drank it all the time throughout my childhood. Sometimes I will get a DP, even though I am much prefer Coke, just so I can taste it and think of him.
Anything Disney // my sister. ABC Family has been playing some of the old favorites lately and I can't resist tuning in. When we were growing up, Shelby and I would watch certain Disney movies over and over, so that we knew the entire thing by heart. We also choreographed dances to several of the more "catchy" numbers, like this classic. I'm sure we put Megara and the Greek goddesses to shame.
S'mores // block party bonfires in my hometown. Every year, all of the neighborhood kids would gather at the bottom of the huge hill next to our house to watch fireworks (I think for the 4th of July?). We would collectively "ooh" and "ahh" while we roasted marshmallows and made s'mores.
Shania Twain // my entire middle school/high school experience. I listened to all of her albums pretty much non-stop through my adolescent years and still love her.
The Peanuts Gang // family gatherings at my grandparents' house with my cousins. We were all obsessed with Race For Your Life, Charlie Brown and still practically have the entire thing memorized (and watch it every time we're together). {That's it, Chuck, you're leading!} Steve got to watch it with us for the first time after we got married, and I'm pretty sure he thought all six of us were crazy.
Both Kings Island and Cedar Point have Peanuts-themed kiddie parks within the theme park. The Kings Island one is actually based off of Race For Your Life Charlie Brown. I pretty much died when I saw it. And yes, I wanted to ride all of the kiddie rides. I'm pretty sure Pops would have wanted to, too. :)
Do you have any triggers that transport you back in time whenever you see/smell/taste them? I'd love to hear about them!
{The idea for this post came from this sweet series by Elle & Co. Every Monday, she writes four letters - two to her husband and two random letters to whatever else is on her heart each week. I am following suit in an effort to practice thankfulness on a more routine basis. Feel free to join me!}
Dear Steve, our bike ride and swimming adventure yesterday was so much fun. It just felt so summery to me. I'm grateful that we both enjoy being active and that you're always willing to humor me when I need my Vitamin D.
Dear Jess and Larissa, I loved our girls' dinner this weekend. I realized today that you both are two of my oldest friends here in Indy. We've been through a lot together, and now live busy lives, but I'm so glad that we still make sure to find time to get together. I may be married now, but still there's nothing that beats girl talk.
Dear Small Group, y'all are the best. I love how we could easily spend hours at the dinner table laughing at GIFs. I love how I can pour out my sinner's heart without fear of judgment, and how the Holy Spirit uses us to speak to each other. I love how you are prayer warriors for me.
Dear Steve, getting up at 5:30am this morning was brutal. But it would have been much worse if I had to do it on my own. Thank you for helping me take that first step to transitioning back to morning workouts. I've missed them. And I'm glad we can motivate each other to take better care of ourselves.
