My New Happy: What Love Looks Like

Monday, February 12, 2018

What Love Looks Like


Today I'm linking up with The Blended Blog as we continue writing about the month of love.

I'm a lucky woman, because I have a lot of love in my life.  My children, family and friends lift me up and surround me with love every day.  But the main flow of love into my heart comes from the man I met almost 36 years ago, on the first day of 9th grade.

This husband of mine is kind, generous, thoughtful and romantic.  No one can make me happier or more angry, sometimes in the same day.  He's not perfect, but he's perfect for me.  And bonus, he thinks I'm the smartest, funniest, most beautiful woman in the world.  When I think about what love looks like, I always look to him.

The theme this month for 10 on the 10th with Perfectly Port Family is "10 memories with your spouse".  George and I have known each other since we were 15, so it's hard to narrow the memories down, but here are a few random ones that share what love looks like to me.

1 / We didn't have much money for a honeymoon, but we were able to spend a few days in Napa Valley.  As we drove through a vineyard at sunset, with the convertible top down and the warm sun bathing the hills in the most gorgeous light, I remember thinking "this is the beginning of a really special life".


2 / In the first years of our marriage, George was not ready for children.  I'd wanted to be a mother forever, but I knew I needed to be patient and wait for him.  One April day in 1994, as we did our income taxes, he looked at me and said "I think it's time for some little tax deductions".  Nine months later...

3 / Our first house was teeny tiny, and due to youth and stupidity, we decided to remodel and add on while I was 6 months pregnant with Conner.  In the middle of winter.  As per standard, our general contractor was sloooooow and often absent.  I'd finally had enough of living without heat and walls, and announced to George that I was moving to my parents' until everything was finished.  That day he fired the contractor and spent the next month, after work and on weekends, finishing the house himself.  And it turned out really lovely.

4 / So many of my memories come from George as a dad.  A really good one.  His own father left when he was young, so he's had no role model to draw experience from.  But it hasn't mattered, because he's as good as they come.  Our boys have been blessed with a father who listens, guides, and loves them with everything he has.  Nobody is more proud of his kids, and they know it.


5 / We started our business in 2002, but we were only doing it part time.  One day George called me from work to say that the time had come for him to quit his full time job and jump in with both feet.  He asked if I was ready to start a new adventure with him.  My answer was "always".

6 /  Our family has been vacationing in Manzanita, Oregon for 19 years.  Every morning at 7am George and I head to the beach for an hour long walk.  We talk about where we've been and where we're going.  Usually we have no idea.


7 / For my 40th birthday, George planned a surprise wedding vow renewal ceremony at our honeymoon spot in Napa Valley.   He worked on it for months, making sure every last detail was perfect.  In my usual clueless way, I had no idea until everything was revealed to me.  He wanted to make sure I felt special and loved as I turned 40 years old.  He succeeded.


8 / Disney World.  George hates everything about theme parks.  The crowds, the rides, the running around.  But the boys and I love them.  So he goes with us, and sits there patiently, and takes his happiness from the joy on our faces as we ride Space Mountain over and over again.

9 / Dropping Thomas off at college was one of the hardest days ever for me.  On the five hour drive home, I couldn't stop crying.  Until we stopped at a beautiful rest area overlooking the Columbia River, and George pulled out a travel book and told me that it was time to do something for us, and he'd been planning just the thing.  A trip to Paris.

10 / Paris.  The perfect launch to our new adventure as empty nesters.   As we stared at the Eiffel Tower for the first time, I remember thinking "we're in the middle of a really special life".


Hope you'll head over to The Blended Blog and share what love looks like to you!

35 comments:

  1. Goosebumps over this precious love of yours!!! I love the vow renewal picture! Your man knows how to fill your life with joy. Mr. Nine's dad left his family at an early age too but it has not affected his ability to be the best dad. We are lucky! xo

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  2. Loved this post, Tanya! You are one very blessed lady! And I love your wedding dress!!

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    1. Thank you! It was a sample from my aunt's bridal store, but it fit perfectly!

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  3. He is a real romantic and certainly a keeper!!

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  4. My Dad always said he wasn’t rich with money but he was rich with love which always stuck with me. I dated a really rich guy for multiple years and you know something crazy. He wasn’t that happy. All the money in the world can buy you happiness, I learned that lesson very early in that relationship. I’ll admit I’m dating a new guy and it’s starting to get serious and I was all, I’m still all in but I will admit the realness of it is starting to freak me out. He is sweet, generous, always puts me first, really cares about me, but at this age I’m really enjoying having a Man Free zone at home, where bodily functions aren’t on the menu lol. I know that’s a small issue but I still wanted to share. Your honeymoon sounds amazing, so romantic and good clean fun. You renovation story sounds like a lifetime movie! I love that he fired the contractor that day and finished the house himself. You two look the same! I love this post

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    1. Aww, you're sweet. I totally agree - money cannot buy happiness. It's nice to have if you're already happy though :). I'm happy to hear about your new relationship - have a wonderful Valentine's Day!

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  5. George is simply the best! This post was so lovely and written so well. Confession: I teared up, friend!

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  6. OMG. #9 is so sweet! I can hope and imagine the same for us. I also love the 40th birthday thing. I hope we do something like that! Our 10th anniversary is coming up in a few months but I don't think we're ready for anything big then. So my 40th it is!

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    1. Looking back, I love that we did it on my 40th birthday. I never thought I wanted to do a vow renewal, but it was so unexpected and beautiful.

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  7. Oh man Lana, that George of yours. Keeper! Have you shown his this? It is so well written and such a lovely tribute to him. You have such a special life. I may need to share this with my husband because we'll be dropping off our youngest at school in the Fall. Hmmm...maybe he needs to steal a page out of George's book!!!
    xo,
    Kellyann

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    1. He peeks at my blog once in a while so I'm sure he'll see it! Thank you so much for such a sweet comment. Yes, I think an empty nest trip would be a great idea for you! Such a perfect time to reconnect and think about the future.

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  8. Oh my goodness! What a keeper! I love the 40th birthday surprise and the trip to Paris; what a wonderful way to ease into some of life's big milestone moments.

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    1. Thank you so much for stopping by! He's definitely a keeper!

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  9. OMG, could your husband/relationship get any better. I am sure it's had its ups and downs, but your husband sounds like a gem and you truly seem to treasure him. Beautiful post.

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    1. Thank you! We work really hard to treasure each other and it seems to be working!

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  10. That George, he is one amazing guy. I think Mr. and him would get along really well. Such a great life you guys have created.

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    1. I'm so glad you got to meet him! Hopefully our Mr's can meet soon.

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  11. OMG...this is such a heart warming post, Lana!! How wonderful to have such love in your life!
    XOXO
    Jodie
    www.jtouchofstyle.com

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  12. George sounds so sweet with so many fun memories and surprises for you!

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  13. The vow renewal and how he goes to theme parks...such a sweet guy you have there! Love this post and all your sweet memories. Happy Valentines Day and thanks for linking up! xoxo ERIN

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    1. I don't know how he stands the theme parks - but he likes to see us happy!

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  14. What a lovely tribute to your hubby. He sounds like a great man, we'll he'd have to be to marry such a great lady!

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  15. I love this and your love story if one of my favourites. He's lucky to have you and you him :)
    Also, that wedding pic - AH-MAZING!

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    1. I love that picture! I have no idea what I'm looking at - but he looks so happy!

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  16. I have heard your hubs is also the host with the most. And makes a mean pizza. He is the total package and you guys have built a lovely family and life together.

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