There are a lot of big decisions swirling in our house as of late, and the rate at which we’re catapulting toward baby’s birthday makes all of the weighty things seem weightier. It’s tricky to have big unknowns, but it feels more this way when we already know that life is going to change by a major (albeit tiny) factor come September. Given the pace of our days lately, it’s been hard to carve out time before 10 or 11pm at night to have the big conversations that need to happen, so it was a beautifully welcome gift when a friend offered to come and spend the evening with the kiddos tonight so J and I could find some space to talk.

What a blessing to have an uninterrupted conversation over dinner! It’s not that we never do, but the opportunities are few and far between, and there’s just something so necessary about connecting during daylight hours when we can both still process well and talk over the bigger things without missing out on sleep.

So, J and I went on a date tonight, and although we had some major ground to cover in conversation, it was still a break away and a more relaxed few hours in the midst what’s felt like a lot of crazy. We enjoyed a slow-paced dinner, took a walk out to the beach, sat in the sand watching the sunset, and stopped for ice cream cones on the way home.

Neither of us can remember the last time we watched a beach sunset on our own, so tonight’s was particularly sweet. I realized part way through dinner that it’s twelve years this week since we first met. One of our very first chats took place just a few miles down the shore from where we landed tonight, so it felt a bit like celebrating, even as we waded through heavier things.

A lot has happened in 12 years. It was so good to have time to reflect on that tonight. I’ve lived in four countries since then, and J has lived in two. We’ve traveled the world, both apart and together. We’ve been married for nine years, lived in our house for close to eight, had 2.75 children 😉 and a dog, and made countless memories. We’ve also weathered some really tough things, and we are ultimately stronger for it. I’m so grateful that there is plenty to look back on with joy.

It’s easy to forget how important it is to date our spouses…especially when life feels so busy. But it was really necessary for us to take the time we were so graciously offered tonight, and God used that to remind us of us. Not parenting, not household check lists, not current events. Just a husband and wife and a growing baby bump worth appreciating while we can.

Several people stopped us tonight to comment on our upcoming parenthood, and while it felt good to acknowledge that we’ve had a little practice, it was also fun to think about that excitement of having a first baby again. I remember when it was just us, and what a sweet time it was as we prepared to welcome Henry. It’s been a different kind of sweet this time, sharing in the excitement with two eager siblings awaiting baby’s arrival. Still, it’s always good to go back to the root of something and see it pared down. This baby is a result of our marriage. Our coupledom. Our love for our family and our desire to give Henry and Eloise another sibling to share life with together. He or she will be a blend of us in so many different ways, and that’s beautiful. 

There are big things coming and so many changes to embrace. I’m thankful we can do that together, and that we can sneak in a little time here and there to remember exactly where and how and why our growing family started out. Twelve years have gone by. I never would have imagined all of the life that we’ve lived since then.

We didn’t solve all of the world’s problems tonight, but we did sync up a bit. That’s a big deal in my world, and I’m thankful for it.

a little sandy as i head to bed. how i’ve missed that!

mm