Bicyle Built for Two

Yesterday the fiance and I had one of the best date days!  We wanted to share with you because it's so inexpensive and healthy at the same time.  We're lucky enough to live near one of the most beautiful Federal parks, Valley Forge.  Neither of us were interested in working out that day, a combination of laziness and just lack of motivation after the weekend festivities.

I spontaneously mentioned bike riding, something we always said we wanted to do but haven't.  Andrew agreed and knew the park rented them.  The weather was perfect for riding so we dressed in workout gear and packed a change of clothes.  We got our respective bike and rode away.  I can't tell you the last time I had ridden a bike so there was an adjustment period.

After our initial hour long rental turned into several hours, we are both ready to invest in some bikes for some more date days.  The just over eight mile bike ride we took over winding and hilly (sometimes dirt) trails earned us a delicious seafood dinner to cap off the date.

I highly recommend getting active with your loved one in a fun and leisurely way like bike riding, walking, or maybe even some adventurous rock climbing.

Happy Mother's Day

This picture has been going around Facebook, and I love it.  To all of those who have lost a mother, child, or mother figure, my heart goes out to you.

My heart also has a special place for women who don't have children, but mother anyway.  It doesn't always take giving birth to love or mother a child.  Happy Mother's Day to those of you who are a mom to someone!

God Bless my mother and all of you who are mothers.  Hope you have a blessed day.

Our New Journey

It was a Saturday like any other, all things considered, but A decided it was going to be a day about me.  I protested at first, oh yes I can be a pain sometimes, but then I realized it was pointless and kind of rude to A who was so excited.

I was awoken to a dozen red roses framed by baby's breath, my favorite arrangement for sure.  The sun was shining on this April 26th morning with a slight chill in it's breeze.  I wore a light jacket as we left to our first destination.

A rewarding thrift shopping experience at Habitat for Humanity left us a water bottle richer emblazoned with "MUSE The 2nd Law" on it's front, a nice memento for our first concert together.  With our stomachs rumbling we headed to our second destination Sancho Pistola's for an amazing brunch with bottomless mimosas, margaritas, and bloody Marys.

He had the huevos rancheros, I had the eggs benedicto and we drank (naturally) as we chatted with our waiter.  Watching silent cartoons on the big screen and laughing, we held hands and stared into eachother's eyes.  We talked about how we got here, together.  How grateful I was that I told him how I felt, and how grateful he was that it was reciprocated.  We are blessed.

An hour later and delightfully buzzed (me), we headed to Circle Thrift at my prodding.  I tried on clothes and browsed every rack, but we left with an armful of puzzles and board games; see where our priorities lie.

We discussed cupcakes and treats as we drove back home in our car, neither of us resolute in our weakness for a sugar high.  We arrived and something kept me behind while A was busy in the living room.  He called me in, "Sit right there," he perched me on the edge of our ottoman.

I sat, oblivious, and staring at the TV screen cued up with a picture of us on one of our first dates.  The slideshow played and the crooning of Jon Legend's "All of Me" (our latest ode to each other) flowed through the speakers.

I laughed at all the familiar memories a Kool-Aid grin plastered on my face.  I saw him move behind me and I briefly looked at him as he pointed back at the screen and the slideshow arrived at it's finale.  "Will You Marry Me?" in white letters on a black screen.

I turned quickly back to A, now getting on one knee and holding out a ring, "Well?" he asked.  I quickly said "Yes!" probably nodding like a fool, I can't remember.  He placed the ring on my finger, beautiful, shining, and a perfect fit and the tears rushed out of my eyes.  I sobbed with joy and we hugged and kissed.

This is the moment where our time together thus far came to it's first joyful fruition.  I was humbled and overjoyed and at peace.  Here begins a new journey together.  Cheers!