Forty Years 3.21.10

So March 21 is my parents' fortieth wedding anniversary.

Being the responsible and loving daughter that I am, I did something spectacular for this momentous occasion.

I forgot.

I mean, I knew their anniversary was coming up. I had it on my calendar. But on the morning of the anniversary I started to wonder which year they'd be celebrating. And then it hit me. I'm 38. They were married a year and half when they had me. Therefore...

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

It was not a good morning. I did not feel like a very good daughter. Let's face it. I WASN'T a very good daughter.

But they were gracious about it, and I think of all the kids, only Briana realized it was such a big day beforehand.

Some of the kids joined them for dinner, and according to my mom, they had a nice night. My mom doesn't like to talk about herself much, so as Bri started pumping her for "Lessons You've Learned in the Last Forty Years," she didn't have much to say. This is one of the bits of wisdom she decided to offer:

Lower your expectations.

I know! It's so romantic.

So maybe that's her advice (which I think is actually pretty sound), but this is some of what I've learned from my parents' forty years:

Kiss hello and goodbye.
Hold hands when you walk together.
Say a kneeling prayer before you leave each other in the morning.
Play lots of games. The board kind, not the mind kind.
Spend time with your extended families.
Never complain about church responsibilities.
Love each other despite differences.

So what does my picture of the day have to do with my parents' anniversary?

After David and I got home from dinner in Heber with his mom and got the kids to bed, we were pretty worn out. I found myself putting things away in the kitchen and thought, "I wonder if David would like a drink of water?" I got out two glasses, filled them with ice and water and brought them downstairs. And what did I see?

Two glasses of ice water already sitting on the coffee table.

I looked at David and said, "Look what I brought you!" and we started to laugh. It was a little Gift of the Magi like (well, not really). But my heart melted and I thought, "THIS is one of the secrets of marriage. We got it right tonight!"

So here's hoping that in ten years I can do up my parents' FIFTIETH anniversary right. And in 21 1/2 more years David and I will have a chance to look back at OUR last forty years and feel grateful for all the glasses of water we've brought each other over the years.

My Best Valentine's Present Ever

David and I had agreed not to give each other gifts on Valentine's Day a couple of years ago, but we went out to dinner, then to dessert. While we were sitting at the table, David said, "Are you ready for your gift?" I grumbled at him, since of course I looked like a dork without a gift and said, "We weren't supposed to give gifts." He said, "Well, I couldn't resist."

He then handed me a card, which I read, with increasing confusion. It was a very sweet card, don't get me wrong, but it wasn't a normal David card. It was ridiculously over the top. Really high school. It, honestly, was ultra-cheese. David knows I don't like ultra-cheese. Love, yes. Devotion, sure. Cheese? No way.

Then he handed me ANOTHER card. It was worse. "This present will show you my love in its purest form," blah blah blah.

And then ANOTHER card. Unbelievably ridiculous. I don't know where I put these cards. I would love to quote them. They would win bad love letter awards.

Finally, he handed me a rumpled-up Kmart bag. I opened it, not sure what was going on...

Inside was a deliciously horrible teddy bear, wearing a diamond heart pendant.

I nearly fell off my chair. It was so truly tasteless, so bad, so amazing, that I couldn't stop laughing.

The best part? He says that it took longer to find THAT present than to buy most of the presents he's purchased for me for real over the years. It had to have just the right amount of ridiculousness. And it had to be returnable, of course, and he even returned it FOR me. Best. Valentine's. Present. Ever.

Giving Thanks, Day 15

I'm grateful for date night!

Woohoo!!! 007 and Citris Grill and happy kids with our wonderful babysitter, Katee...

I love date night! We need to do it more often.

Giving Thanks, Days 8 & 9

I am grateful for David's decision to run the Snow Canyon half marathon with me.



WE DID IT! We ran together, and I loved it. The race was gorgeous, the weather was beautiful, the experience was unforgettable. I think we'll run this race every year. Anyone want to join us?

I'm so grateful for Lyndsey.



We love my niece Lyndsey so much. She sacrificed her weekend to take wonderful care of the kids. Art projects, late night movies, and a CLEAN HOUSE...amazing. My kids were NOT thrilled that we came home in the early afternoon today. They wanted her to stay forever.

I am grateful for Liz and Jeff.



We are blessed to have amazing neighbors all around us. Liz was one of my training partners when we ran our first half marathon. We've had hours of wonderful talks on the road and I am so thankful to have a friend like her. She and Jeff are funny, kind, and loyal friends who have helped me in my life so much. Liz ran the race in 2:02! Woo-hoo! She is amazing (I already said that, didn't I?)

I'm grateful for the earth and its glories.



Seriously. I got to spend a morning running in this majesty. The world is a gift.

Oh, and I'm really really thankful for ibuprofen. And so is David.