A Spring of Joy

“Now there is a good family car.” Brian mused as an old, 6 passenger convertible breezed by us.

The five of us were sitting outside licking peanut butter oreo ice cream cones as fast as we could, but it was a losing battle as I wiped drips off Bella’s arms.

“I had a old friend who had one of those, or rather his family did.” I mentioned casually. “It was a blast to ride around in.”

I could see the wheels turning in Asher’s mind as he spooned yummy deliciousness into his mouth. He was the only sensible one of the family, getting his ice cream in a cup rather than a cone.

“Mom? If you hadn’t met daddy would have married him?” he asked.

I laughed. “Oh no, Buddy. He was just a friend and not my type at all.”

He looked at me quizzically. “Your type? What does that mean?”

Wow. How on earth do I bring it to his level? I explained that there are things about our spouses that we like and are attracted to, and we build on those blocks in marriage.

“So what did you like about Daddy?”

Brian smiled at me as he rose to take Audrey inside and wash her up. I watched him walk away and remembered how I fell for that smile. I listed off bunches of things about Brian that I liked and loved for Ash.

When Bri returned, Ash looked at his dad. “What about you, Daddy?”

“What about me, what?” he grinned mischievously, and my heart skipped all over again. “You want to know what I like about your mom?”

When Ash nodded, Brian began his list. Ash stopped him after a few things…

“Hey, Dad. Those are all the same things Mommy said about you.”

Bri’s eyes met mine, and I saw the sparkle, “Well, what do you know?”

We sat in silence for a while, Bri reaching across the table for my hand. I like to think we were both remembering our college days, young love, flirtations and learning about each other.

Friday morning we will return to our honeymoon spot for a much needed weekend together while our children spend their days with Grandma and Grandaddy.

Bri’s smile is still the same. My accent still rings with its southern lilt. Two of the “superficial” things we were drawn to in the other. Our honeymoon. It feels like forever ago.

A lot has changed since those first days of love and marriage. We are different persons than we were then. We have weathered storms and walked through fires we never thought imaginable when we pledged our lives to God and one another.

But one thing I know.

No matter what, he is always mine and I am always his. No. matter. what.

And that handsome boy with his charming grin? He is extra handsome now and his grin melts my heart more than it ever did.

I cannot WAIT.