It's Friday, I'm in Love

Have love on the brain. Specifically, love and relationships and oh my goodness, how do you stand someone for year after year after year. What makes people fall in love? What makes people do crazy things?

You get where I'm going...right?

From Pinterest

A couple was asked on their 75th wedding anniversary, what made them stay together this long. The wife turned the question over to her husband to which he sweetly replied "We never fell out of love with each other at the same time." A friend of mine was telling me this story and we kidded about when you really just want to smack your significant other with a frying pan sometimes or just hide in the woods for a few days cause you can't stand the other person but after putting all that work, effort, and love into a relationship, why would you ever give up? Why would you ever stop trying?

Personally, I think the "woo-ing" should never stop. Ever. If a guy is in a store buying beer and sees those 25 cent candy necklaces near the check out, he should grab one to bring home to his girl. If a girl is at the store and remembers her "boo thang" (new slang for honey or boo from my hilarious co-worker) had some nasty ol' holey socks at home, she picks up some more. I think the little things mean so much more than any kind of crazy expensive gifts or gestures. Small surprises equal daily sparks.

The idea of BEING LOVED is also pretty overwhelming. We take all this time and energy to find someone (or people) who can love us, put up with our quirks, moods, and attitudes, and yet still love us each and every day. When you think about it, that is an overwhelming and humbling concept. Being loved has to be one of the biggest blessings in life and also one of the scariest. This great article (linked from How Sweet It Is's post) is a reminder that we shouldn't give up on the idea that someone can love us and we can be worthy of love.

This sweet couple also celebrating their 75th wedding anniversary has some serious laughs and you know they have truly enjoyed their lives together.

He notes that someone commented that they often hold hands, and explains there's a reason for that.
"We hang on so we don't slug each other," he says, laughing.

How do you make a marriage last three-quarters of a century?
Both glance at each other across their front room.
"Keeping my mouth shut — sometimes," Wilma says, grinning.
"Humor," answers Noble. "I learned to say 'Yes dear, yes dear.'"
They share smiles.

More sweet stories:
Couple in 90s renew vows for 75th anniversary
Reedley couple celebrates 75 years of marriage
Wedded bliss for 75 years "Two Manhattans a night!"

Wednesday: Cravings

I have noticed that the higher my stress, the more I crave comfort...for obvious reasons. Lately that comfort has been in the form of food (resorting to old ways) but there have also been very specific cravings for things that provide comfort, relaxation, and reflection.

For example, last Friday I said out loud to myself "I really want a nap and a piece of cheese pizza" and that truly was all I needed to make me happy at that moment. Neither of them ended up happening but it was very specific.

Sunday I was craving vegetables and fruit (a sign I need to go grocery shopping) and a walk or something active outside. I have been dying to go for a hike, sweat, and do some physical exertion. Have I attempted to as of yet? No. I don't want to go hiking alone nor do I have the energy to start my Couch to 5K just yet.

Monday was not so much a craving but a ridiculous non-stop jukebox of Eminem and Whitney Houston echoing in my brain. I have come to learn that my brain has to be at least 50% song lyrics. True story. 

Yesterday was the strangest craving though..a bubble bath! I was sitting in a meeting (which was a fine example of Southern thinking vs. Northern thinking) and I randomly thought how amazing it would be to go home, get into a nice hot bubble bath, and just breathe deeply.

Any strange cravings happening for y'all lately? Food or otherwise? Do tell!

Leap of Faith

Faith is something that is incredibly personal, incredibly unique, and incredibly amazing. I have always believed that you need to have faith in yourself and faith in the universe and those things will help guide you through life. I am someone who follows my instinct and intuition and whenever I have gone against those, things have turned out less than fantastic...every.single.time.

After reading the blog post from Tina over at Carrots 'n' Cake, I thought about how many leaps of faith I have taken throughout my life thus far especially those that I don't regret despite however difficult things may have been along the way. 

2001: Moved to Seattle. Partied like a college kid without actually going to college. Lived with a ton of people and learned a lot about myself.

2003: Took part in Americorps National Civilian Community Corps. It was an 11-month service where you traveled, works, and lived with a team of 20-somethings. It has been compared to "The Real World" many times only we did some service work in between the drama. It was a life changing experience that gave me some serious sassiness and the confidence to speak up. I also met some amazing people that I am still blessed to know and love.

2005: Became a nanny. I started working at a daycare center and when that became more trouble than anything, I found a nanny position with an amazing family. I'll admit I was worried I wouldn't be able to handle it, taking care of a one-year old and a two-year old, but in the end it cemented my desire to have kids and made me realize I can be awesome and do anything if I really want to.

2006-2009: Went to Oregon State University to complete my degree. Never, ever thought this would happen but something told me that I just needed to do it...go full force and get it done.

2010: Drove cross country alone. This was something that I did more so for economical reason but the experience will stay with me forever. I planned everything out, took amazing pictures, and was constantly surprised that I was in the middle of the country, just me and my car, and doing just fine.

2010: Went to grad school in Michigan. I was super lost and super unsure of what the hell I was doing. Applied to grad schools, got into one that also offered an graduate assistantship and went for it. Loved it all and was amazed at the opportunities and experiences I had. I also met some people there that I depend on and who have become my mentors and closest friends. 

I am a decide-do it kind of person. Once something isn't working, I figure out an alternative and make it happen. I usually want things to happen fast because I am ready and the more I think about something the more clouded I get by other opinions and "what ifs" and soon, my voice is lost. This can be seen as impulsive but I am also someone that thinks things through (hello alliteration) and that is it. I usually see the pros and cons and can deal with them both.

I don't know how it came about but I love the way my brain works--logical, analytical, instinctual, but also incredibly sentimental and sensitive. Confusing at times but never boring!