Date Night In

Yesterday, Phil and I decided to have an impromptu date night at home! I fed Audrey an early dinner and waited to cook our fancy date-night dinner until after she went to bed. I was dubious that our dinner-for-two would go all right (I dunno why?!), but it was AMAZING! It was so romantic and nice to have a stress free dinner together... at HOME!

We splashed out and got two salmon steaks, grilled them with a brown sugar and mustard glaze, and served them on a bed of brown rice with veggies on the side. We ate by candlelight. It was SO lovely.

I highly recommend taking some time to step back from your busy schedule and be INTENTIONAL about spending some quality time together. It's these little things that count. We're having another date night in tonight! Phil is renting a movie and off buying some chips and drink so we can cuddle and snack on the couch.

You guys, I love Phil so much. I'm quite blessed.

Re: Love Letters

Photo by Courtney Santos

After I wrote Phil a love letter, I woke up the next morning to find this in my e-mail inbox. It made me cry, in a good way.

I love my husband so much. More than anything.

---------------------------

Dear Lamb Shanks,

I cannot believe it has only been one year!

It feels like we have been through so much together already... I think it feels like we have, because we actually have, and you know what? I still love you more and more each day.

I remember after we began chatting again in 2009, I was washing the dishes at Simon and Lydia's (Simon was drying). I was trying to figure out if my feelings for you could have the longevity required for spending a lifetime together. It was then that I realized that each time we chatted, each time we talked, each time you typed me an e-mail, and even each time I thought of you, I loved you a little more than the time previous. The more I knew of you, the more I loved you.

Having Audrey is a real test for me, and I feel like I could be dealing with it better. But you, you are absolutely incredible! Your have a commitment and patience I could only dream of. In the wee hours of the morning, when you have to walk with the mad and sad girl out of our room, I am amazed to hear you chirp to her, "Hello, my sweet thing!" or something to that effect. Your love for her is so easy to see, and I can only hope to be as good a Papa one day to our children, as you are a Mama.

And through it all: through the pain of labor, the hardship of recovery, the lack of sleep, the crying, the hormones, etc. your love and commitment to me shine through always as clear as day.

I count myself the most blessed to have you as a part of my life.

Thank you for loving me. You are certainly the best one.

Love of loves,

Husbear.

Once Upon A Time...

...I dreamed up a photo frame. It was the perfect display for our instax photos. It would be simple and beautiful. I could hang twine on the empty frame and hang clothes pins from the twine to attach the pictures.

I told my husband about my idea
and
my dream came to life!



He grabbed some strips of wood from an old weathered lattice and sanded them back past the gray weathered bits. He took out all the staples and nails and stained the pieces then crafted the perfect frame!
It is far better than I had imagined.






Incredible.



I love you, Husband!
Thank you for taking all the time to work on the frame and for putting the final piece together with me!
You are the best. Ever. And I really like you.


xoxo
Talia Christine