Tuesday, September 28, 2010

The Man I Married

I like to think I married the most perfect man.  I stopped thinking that a long time ago and finally admitted openly that I did.  I've never been one to brag much, but sometimes you just have to share what's in your heart.  Today my heart is full of Richard. 

Richard.  I love the sound of that name escaping my lips.  Richard.  Richard. Richard.  He's tall, handsome, and has the most incredible brown eyes.  I spent my whole life just waiting for that one perfect person to come along and love me.  Finally, just when I was about to give up...Richard came along. 

He didn't care about my past.  He wasn't worried that my childhood horrors would interfere with our life.  He never considered me "damaged" like so many others did  because of the things I had been forced to endure at the hands of others.  Richard considered me whole.  He considered me complete.  He says I'm a better person for having survived.  He said it would be a strength in our marriage.  Well, of course, I agree!

We've struggled plenty in our thirteen years of marriage. But we've managed to make the best out of all our trials. Isn't that what marriage is about? When I struggled after my car accident in 1998, Richard and I were able to find the humor in our new life together. I was nicknamed "BabySteps" during the beginning months as I began to regain the strength to walk again. He would assist with my need to find words to complete a sentence, and never seemed to mind that I couldn't remember my married name, or our address, or our phone number. It took me years to even remember our wedding day and when I did, I was begging for a do over! He stood by me when we found out I wasn't able to have children. He didn't fret over my diagnosis of Lupus. He just kept on living. With me. The two of us together. The way it should be.

This past weekend Richard and I hung out at the house together.  We took care of the tasks that most couples with a home take care of.  But this time, as I watched him dig this hole in our yard to repair a sprinkler line that had developed a leak, I smiled.  Richard.  He's strong, knowledgeable, loving, kind, giving, and most importantly, he's in love with me.  Me!  The girl with the past of sorrows- the one who only wanted to be loved, finally knows what it means.

And just in case your wondering what is up with that face...or should I say the hair on that face, he insisted on not shaving during all the scout camps this summer.  I made the mistake of telling him he should keep growing the beard thingy because it would look cool!  I was kidding, of course!  But then I made the even bigger mistake of telling him he could go as Colonel Sanders to the ward Trunk or Treat.  So, he's growing it out until Halloween.  I get to introduce him to Lee Child sporting a ton of facial hair...and I totally think that's cool!

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Girl's Weekend 2010

I have a great group of friends that I try to get together with every year for a Girl's Weekend.  I say try because I've backed out a couple of years in a row.  This year we headed to Flagstaff, Arizona where we stayed at a nice and cozy Little America.  The place was tucked away in a quiet location just off the freeway.  It was surrounded by tall pine trees and the scent of the forest.  It truly reminded me of Oregon.  I was amazed that this little place in the desert could be so beautiful.  I loved it there so much that I'm insisting that Richard put it on our lists of places to see and explore. I can't wait to go back! 

While we were there we sang along with some singing waiters at Black Bart's Steak House, shopped the tents at the Flagstaff Art's Festival, dived into some delicious BBQ, toured the beautiful Grand Canyon, and took a walk through a cavern in the middle of the desert that sits 210 ft. below the earths surface.  We also stopped at the Road Kill Cafe on Route 66.  I took lots and lots of pictures of myself while sitting in the very back seat of Teri's MDX on our road trip for Las Vegas to Flagstaff.  We stayed up late playing games.  Well, they stayed up late playing games while I sat around reading books.  This chick has deadlines!  I also made a new friend from Texas.  Her name is Cindy Davis.  I happen to think she is the nicest woman I've ever met, especially since she understands the importance of girl time!

I'm still busy with my book blog.  I've been fortunate enough to have some authors notice my reviews and offer me books to give away.  It's been tons of fun and I'm enjoying meeting all these wonderful people.  You can check out my book blog here: http://myfriendscallmekate.blogspot.com/ .  There is still time to leave a comment and be entered in a drawing to receive a signed copy of How To Grow Up and Rule The World by Vordak T. Incomprehensible!  I still can't believe the author offered me a signed copy after I described the book as "great bathroom reading material."  He must know greatness when he reads it!