Just Because Days

It’s Valentine’s Day.  DUH!  Back in high school, I remember one of my friends calling it SAD- “single awareness day” and then at some point, who needed SAD because Galentines were far, FAR better.  But then I got married and well….

I thought maybe it’d be fun to showcase some photos from our first Valentines together.  That was two-ish months into our relationship but about six-weeks into, “let’s get married this year and freak our families out because we moved so quickly.”

To break the shock a little more for some, we decided to start out at my dear old sister-cousin’s with the nieces.  (by the way- she called me last night to tell me that she had a parent-freak out moment because she forgot to order valentines from me! Those pics are later in the post…)  As an uncle of 5 boys, NO nieces, making valentines might have been a little much for my Trey.  The pancakes and cute kids helped. ps. don’t judge our beetle pancakes.

But he still knew how to do it right…a locket and some wine.  No really- this is how we I “knew” so quickly! pps. need to find that wine again.

That was 2 years ago.  To be honest, I don’t really remember what we did last year.  But I do know so much has happened in 2 years.  These girls have grown SO MUCH and Trey knows a lot more about being an uncle to them.  “Shopkins” is a regular in his vocabulary as are the protective, “Would I approve of Jake and Charlie?” questions.  He’s totally winning at the “uncle” thing, but then again, I think he always has been.

And hey, he’s still doing “us” right too…but that goes without saying!  He’s pretty great at knowing exactly how many days we’ve been married, surprising me with special warm fuzzy types of gifts, and even doing the dishes without needing to be asked (maybe my dish slamming worked!). And me, well—I don’t do the warm fuzzies quite as well.  And to compensate, I think that’s probably why our special days have become somewhat of a game instead.  Who gives the better gifts, who surprises each other better, who made the other laugh or cry…. because you know that’s what the holidays and spirit of giving are really about… The only problem is; I’m still the “loser.”

Two weeks ago, (yes!  I said TWO weeks ago, that’s big in my little procrastination-habitually distracted-world) I was doing our weekly shopping at Wal-Mart, when I passed by the Valentines, and something came over me.  And no it wasn’t inquisitiveness at the smelly and poorly dressed “people of Wal-Mart” making me question “Why?! Just. Whyyyy?!”  No, it was this moment when my life became a cartoon, I was Scrat (the squirrel in Ice Age) and the Valentine aisle (the acorn) lit up with some sort of brilliant music playing in the background.

“I’m going to win Valentines!!”

I got my card.  I hid it in the pantry.  And this morning while he was walking Sasha, I ran downstairs to give it to him before he left for work.

I made him cry.  #winning

Truth be told- I married a sensitive man so it isn’t entirely hard to do, but… since he didn’t get me a card, I think it was really the guilt that got him…

“Soooo… that means I won, right?  I win Valentines Day?!!!!”

…that was up until he told me he was late for work but was going to go to the store to buy me cereal.  P.S. in case you’re thinking, “He went from a necklace and wine to cereal in 2 years?!” Don’t worry, to me, cereal is the morning’s equivalent.  AND he bought 3 kinds!!

And now next year, I’ll have to spend my extra two weeks doing some outrageous craft…to try and win…again

{insert the sounds of my cereal crunching as I keep on chewing}

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Somehow, I’m supposed to tie this whole story into how we’re beholding life, one.day.at.a.time.  Here we go…

I’ve got some beef with these stupid hallmark holidays.  Though a self-proclaimed-sucker who spent $6 on a card that Trey didn’t even take to work with him, I still find it so absurd that we spend one day a year recognizing the love that we have for the special people in our lives.  Mother’s Day and Father’s Day really get me too- recognize your parents everyday people—let them know you appreciate them ALL THE TIME!  And thanksgiving, don’t even get me started.  And I know I sound all “bah-humbug,” but seriously, can we just throw them all out and do some “just-because” days all throughout the year?!!  I don’t even need to win them…I don’t..maybe just a little bit though.

And if we were to behold these “just because” type of days, maybe this is what I’d recognize instead: a day (that didn’t happen to fall on February 14) with two of my longest and most loved valentines, and one with my newest, and forever valentine.  Falling more deeply in love with the people they are, feeling so preciously thankful that they love me too.

She really was a great skiier….”it was that damn lift”  Truth: It really was!

and this kid=fear.less.  FEARLESS.  She can’t turn worth squat so don’t even get me started on how fast we were going to keep up with her…. it’s okay, she’ll get there!

note: this is NOT her mother on the ground.

note: THIS is how you get off of a ski lift… but I’m not pointing fingers or mentioning any names.

Unfortunately, her mother preferred to exit like this.  “Mommy, don’t do it like this.”

but the woman would get right back up and smile pretty for the camera.  She on the other hand was owning the turns.

and he gives me butterflies.  I say that a lot.  He gives them a lot.

and we’re….

down.

The jury is still out on whether it’s a torn MCL.  She heard a pop.  We’re hoping next year’s “just because” day will end a little better.  But on the bright side, HOW CUTE IS RAMSEY?! (aka the bearded medic)

and on another “just because” day, maybe I’d make this sweet little puppy my valentine on non-Valentine’s Day because he’s my favorite in the T.V. FAN CLUB.  And he loves his “Auntie Tole”

and maybe I’d have a “just because” Sunday with my forever valentine, dreaming up big dreams for our future. (ps. this is your weekly house update, compare the pic at the end to this one below– CRAZY, huh?!)

John (my FIL) goes, “that’s a lot of wood.”  Yes, sir it is!

And in the spirit of a “Just Because” day, we’d eat BBQ and play some country-livin’ baseball with two other valentines that have the absolute cutest giggles.  Just because.

as much as I’d love to have all girls someday, Trey is going to need moments like this… 

 

 

 

 

 

 

…I’ve decided that there’s nothing better to do than go ahead and have a good time and get the most we can out of life.  Eat, drink, and make the most of your job.  It’s God’s gift
ECCLESIASTES 3:9-13 (The Message)

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These “Just Because” Days have been so much better than any SAD Galentine’s Valentine’s day.  We’re living these days lovin’ so many of God’s gifts in our lives.  And guess what, there were no cards needed.  No winning needed kind of.  and in the end, I’m pretty sure I’d still be asking him to be my valentine, just because.

Here’s a couple other pics from our home visit last week.

Sasha marked the land as hers…and then posed for the camera.  Is she my dog or IS SHE MY DOG!?