Change of Plans

I thought I was off the hook. I had avoided Topher's sickness all week long, but I caught the dirty little bug last night. The thought of driving for hours in the car made me feel even more nauseous, so we made a change of plans. Topher is still going to spend the day and night with TJ's parents, but TJ and I are just going to stay home, drink Sprite, sleep at will, and watch movies. I'm a little disappointed that our trip has been cancelled, but the whole point was just to be able to spend time alone together. I don't care if that happens in Columbia or right here in our living room. A big thanks to the grandparents for a break and a chance to recover!

Besides, Topher was so excited to put on his coat and wave bye-bye to me before getting in the car. He likes to cling to me whenever I'm available, but when I'm not around, he's happy just being in the company of people he loves. He even gave me a big smile right before he left for his grandparent's house. I don't think anything can affect me the way that smile can.

I'm so lucky to be married to TJ. He is such an involved dad (the diapers, the baths, the feedings, the playtime--he can do it all, and he does it well), and I don't think anyone could make Topher and I feel more loved. He works hard so that I can be home with Topher, and then he comes home and loves us and everything feels right and whole. Whenever we hear the garage door open, Topher starts saying, "Dad, dad" and it's my favorite time of day. He's so wonderful to be married to that I don't care if our Valentine's Day is spent in a fancy hotel or just here on the couch. I don't want flowers or chocolates, just his massive arms wrapped around me. I can never thank him enough for pursuing (stalking) me even after I was repeatedly mean to him, but I'm so glad he could see past my rejections to my true feelings for him, even when I couldn't. I'm so glad that he hung on to all our good moments and shrugged off the bad ones, so glad for that arrogant streak that naturally runs through him. I remember him telling me one day after a quarrel that I was going to end up with him, and I said it would never happen. He asked me why I couldn't say that without smiling and he was right, I felt my mouth turning up even as I was trying to stay stern. I know the very moment I fell for him, I remember because I couldn't breathe when I looked up and he was standing in the doorway, and my life literally has never been the same since that day.

Happy Valentine's Day to the love of my life.

--KC