Gratitude Multitudes ~ #451-485

  My husband Tom and I celebrated our 16th wedding anniversary on Friday, and I cannot begin to describe the joyfulness in my heart for the gift of my husband. My gratitude to God for him is simply overflowing. To be gifted a companion so in tune with my heart? Yes. That is grace, indeed. (Grace....infused with unbelievable amounts of patience and love.)

    And I need to tell you a little story. On our wedding night, we needed to stop and pick up a few essentials (read: we forgot our toiletries bag). So here we are at 9 p.m. at night in a not-so-wonderful part of downtown Norfolk at the CVS. And it's pouring rain. When we were done shopping, Tom sheltered me as much as possible as we raced to the car in the pouring rain. Laughing. 

It was locked. 

With the keys inside.

     So back into the store we went to wait for the locksmith. The store was closing, and I believe that we even offered to help clean up. I am SURE that they thought we were crazy. Two dressed up people waiting for a locksmith. Still holding hands. Still laughing.

Only us.

     Fast forward 16 years. A lovely dinner out at Old Bookbinder's in downtown Richmond. Lovely, lively conversation of two people who never seem to run out of things to say....Holding hands. Laughing.

Then the sheer look of horror as he realizes....

No wallet.

     (And no. I didn't bring mine. He told me he was taking me out to dinner.)

Luckily, he found a credit card in my car. After much worry and "Can you believe this?" ... It worked out. 

But oh. I realize....the more things change, the more they stay the same. :) 

Only us. Still laughing. Still holding hands. And it's all good.

Linking up with Ann today.... and so grateful today for:

memories and laughter and togetherness

the gift of love

holding hands in the car

shelter from the storms of life

"Seek Ye First"

tulips and irises (love by mail)

homemade chicken soup

the last of the "red hot zinnias"

football weather

football parties

cheering on the Redskins

pizza night with Kellie

prayers whispered in the car

Opening Mass at Joe's new school

hugs from former colleagues

teachers who love my child

hugs from former students

laughter and silliness.....STILL

the look of understanding

another heart-felt talk with Whitney

making dinner for Whitney

salted caramel gelato

snuggling on the couch

old episodes of "Mad About You"

moonflowers that scent my porch

orange-red chrysanthemums

cinnamon spice candles

clear, cool evenings filled with birdsong

listening to"Old Yeller" on CD

Joe's laughter at the "silly yeller dog"

singing Sesame Street favorites

parties in the field

seeing new baby Brady

basil profusion

change of season