Oh blue toothpaste how I love you so.
I must confess I am a bit jealous because your rich blue color seems to only be found in children's toothpaste.
Along with my jealousy I am also confused about why your beautiful color is reserved for children's toothpaste.
Personally, I think your color would be better appreciated and used properly by adults.
Children should start out with a less, well how could I say, um vibrant color.
I would even go as far as to suggest clear toothpaste might best suit their needs.
One of my favorite qualities that you possess is your ability to smear yourself opon multiple surfaces.
Oh and these surfaces aren't always obvious, such as the sink.
No way my friend! You share your blue love on a variety of areas. You do not discriminate.
Let me list some of my favorite surfaces I have found your mark left upon:
- the sink
- the faucet
- the faucet knobs
- the mirror
- the counter
- the floor
- the bath mat
- the tub
- the washcloth bar inside of the tub
- the toilet
- the toilet seat cover
- the door next to the sink
- the door knob
- the trim around the door
- the front of the cabinets under the sink
- the shower curtain
- the towels (All of them, not just the hand towel on the sink. You even migrate to the towels hanging on the opposite wall and opposite corner from where you are used. You are so mobile!)
** Now we will move out of the bathroom and onto areas that aren't so obvious to locate you **
- the hall carpet
- the wall in the hall (Ha! I just rhymed!)
- the banister
- the spindles along the stairs
- the carpet on the steps
- the wall along the stairs
- the floor in the foyer
- the kitchen floor
- the couch
- the coffee table
Ok, we are apporaching the the end of my list. I have saved the best for last . . .
- the dog
Your wonders never sease to amaze me, blue toothpaste. I do have one question, though.
How do you do it? How do you get around so easily? And on your own I must add.
I know that you spread yourself in these areas.
Two innocent children, who shall remain nameless, do not, I tell you they DO NOT smear you anywhere, but upon their toothbrushes.
What's that you ask dear blue toothpaste? You want to know how I know that those two children are not responsible for you being left upon so many surfaces?
Well it's simple . . . they told me they didn't do it.
I don't understand why you are laughing at me.
How could you mock me when I just professed my love to you?
Oh blue toothpaste I am so sad.
Jun 16, 2012
Jun 15, 2012
Read.Explore.Learn - Pig Kahuna
Today I am linking up with Deirdre from JDaniel 4's Mom.
The purpose of the link up is to share activity ideas centered around a book that you and your children have read.
B, G, and I (Baby M was sleeping so she wasn't able to participate) read the following book:
Pig Kahuna is written by Jennifer Sattler.
It is a story about learning to overcome fears.
The characters, Fergus and Dink, are brothers.
As the story begins Fergus and Dink are collecting treasures along the beach. They find several items to add to their already diverse collection. Readers quickly learn that Fergus is afraid to go into the ocean because of the unknown ickyness that lies within the blue and green waves.
Suddenly the ocean waves bring in a giant treasure for the brothers to add to their collection. It's a surfboard! Fergus leaves to get some ice cream for himself and Dink. Dink thinks thinks the surfboard would like to return to the ocean. Just as Fergus is returning with the ice cream he sees Dink tossing the surfboard back into the ocean. Without thinking Fergus runs to rescue their most prized treasure. You'll have to read the book to find out what happens in the end!
Here B and G are attempting to pose like the characters on the front cover
I thought it was pretty cute that when the characters were introduced both B and G immediately associated them selves with one of the characters. B was Fergus and G was Dink!
Before reading the story with B and G I hid some treasures (decorative rocks) in the sandbox. I hid 20 to be exact. I counted the number of objects so that we would know when all of the treasures had been uncovered.
After reading the story we discussed what the characters learned and why it was important to try new things, even if they are a bit scary.
Next, I explained to B and G that it was their turn to look for treasures along the beach like Fergus and Dink. They took their buckets and shovels and began digging!
G and B digging for treasures
When all of the treasures were found we counted them and talked about how we could share them so that they would each have the same amount of treasures (squeezed in a little math to this reading activity).
B and G had really enjoyed reading this book and the activity we did along with it. We completed #11 from our list of Summer Activities with this task.
Jun 14, 2012
Love/Hate Link Up
I'm Linking up with Noel, from Noel's Beautiful Life today, for the Love/Hate Link up.
My Love/Hate List
Love: Going over to a friend's house for some water play, a picnic, and some adult time
Hate: Packing 1/2 of my house to take to the play date
Love: My car
Hate: Getting 3 kids in and out of the backseat of my car
Love: A Grande Mocha Frappuccino with 5 pumps of Mocha
Hate: Paying $4.70 for a Grande Mocha Frappuccino with 5 pumps of Mocha
Love: Being home with my kids for the summer
Hate: Having to unload the dishwasher more often because we are home
Love: The flowers in the baskets hanging from my porch
Hate: Watering the flowers in the hanging baskets on my porch
Jun 13, 2012
Our Story Part 5 . . . The Conclusion
You are about to read the conclusion of a story about how my husband and I met. The following posts lead up to this post:
After Brent took the initiative to email me, I made a
decision. I was going to take things one
step at a time. I began by emailing him
back. Eventually, he and some of his
friends made a 6 hour drive to come and visit me for a weekend.
One of my college friends was from a town about hour away
from our campus. Her parents were out of
town for the weekend. A group of us drove
to the house and had a little . . . party get together. During said get together, I managed to trip
down a small step causing me to sprain my ankle. (I’m sure it had nothing to do with what I was drinking) It hurt so badly that I wasn’t able to walk
without assistance. Being the college geniuses
that we were . . . my friends suggested that I just needed to have a few more
drinks to make the pain go away. Yes, I
am fully aware that this was not the best choice. I do want you to know that we planned to stay
the night at this house and we did actually stay. We were being safe. Needless to say, I was super embarrassed in
front of Brent! Let me also tell you it
was NOT fun trying to explain this to my parents when they asked why I was
going to urgent care the following day.
After he came to visit me, it was my turn to visit him. I had not told my parents that Brent and I
were really talking very much. I wasn’t
sure where things were going between us.
I didn’t want to get my hopes up just to be let down, again. I made the 6 hour trip to his home town and attend
his college graduation without letting my parents know where I would be for the
weekend. My dad put two and two together
when he noticed the increase in mileage on my car. Oops! Dumb me! Did I
really think he wouldn’t catch that one?
I mean my dad was a mechanic and all.
He knew that car like the back of his hand.
 |
| November 2002 |
After completing my freshman year of college I returned home. Brent and I spent the summer driving back and
forth to visit one another. Thank
goodness gas prices weren’t too high then!
At some point that summer we made it clear that we were exclusive. Our relationship continued throughout
college.
 |
| October 2003 |
The summer before our senior year of college my roommate,
Rachel, and I planned a mini-vacation.
It was to be a small weekend getaway for Rachel, her then boyfriend now
hubby, Josh, Brent, and myself. Together,
Rachel and I made all of the plans for the weekend. When we both finished working on Friday we made
the 4 hour drive to meet the boys in Chicago.
While in Chicago we visited Navy Pier. For those of you not familiar with Navy Pier
it’s area just off of Lake Michigan.
There are several shops and touristy things to do. One of our favorite activities that Brent and
I enjoyed doing when we met in Chicago was riding the ferris wheel. The ferris wheel is huge and covered in
lights. I love viewing the Chicago
skyline from the highest point of the ferris wheel, especially at night. Of course we made sure to ride the ferris
wheel while we were there. This time for
some reason the height began to bother me.
For some unexplainable reason I could not wait for the ride to be
finished and get off of it!
 |
| 2003 Waiting for the ferris wheel |
When it stopped, I couldn’t get off of the ferris wheel fast
enough. The four of us chose to walk
around the pier a bit longer before going back to the hotel for the night. Before we knew it the weather forced us to
change our plans. Rachel and I began
walking as quickly as we could as the drizzle turned into a down pour! At the time I couldn’t figure out why Brent
kept poking around and why he wouldn’t hurry up. I was freezing and just wanted to get out of
the rain! What was his problem?!
On Sunday evening Brent got ready to leave. He had to work Monday morning. Rachel, Josh, and I were going to leave on
Monday morning. As we were saying
goodbye he said “I think there’s something in here for you”, as he reached into
his pocket. He pulled out a box. I thought it was a pair of earrings or a
necklace or something. I had absolutely no
idea what I would find when I opened the box.
As I opened the box Brent reached for my hand and got down on one
knee. I couldn’t believe what I saw
inside the box. It was an engagement ring! He took my hand and said, “Will you marry me?”
I was in complete shock!
We talked about the future all of the time. I knew that we would get married, someday. I wanted to get married after I
graduated. We had never actually
discussed when we would get married. I had been secretly hoping all summer that he
would propose to me. I had given up hope
for a couple of reasons. First of all,
it was the end of the summer and he still had not asked me. Second, Brent takes 12 years to make a 5
minute decision. He wasn’t about to make
a life changing decision, such as proposing, very quickly.
As you can imagine I was truly
shocked. I said the first thing that
came to my mind, “Are you serious?!”
Yeah, I know great response, right?
Here I was in the middle of the moment that I had dreamed about and I
freaking asked him if he was serious . . . nice
move, Erin! He smiled at me and told me
that he was serious and slipped the ring on my finger. Of course we kissed and then . . . Rachel
poked her head in and said with a giddy grin on her face, “I don’t mean to
interrupt, but did you just get engaged?!”
I was so excited all I could do was flash the ring at her. Then we did what most girls would do, we
jumped up and down and spoke to each other in some high-pitched girl language.
I later found out that he originally planned on proposing on
the ferris wheel until I became a chicken all of the sudden. Then he moved onto plan B and proposes outside of
the ferris wheel. Then the rain came! Finally, he moved onto plan C. I guess the 3rd time was the charm
for us!
*******************************
*******************************
The car that started it all!
We had our Cinderella (seriously, it was a Cinderella theme)
wedding on July 17, 2004. Almost a year
after he proposed to me. Brent and I don’t
have a perfect marriage, no one does, but we do love and respect one
another. We tag team parent and make
decisions for our family together. I believe with all of my heart that we were
are meant to be together. How else do
you explain 2 kids from 2 different states meeting, corresponding, forming a
relationship, getting married, and living happily ever after?
 |
| Just in case you were wondering, Sara and Rachel were both in our wedding Sara, Me, my cousin Katie, and Rachel |
****Thanks for sticking around to read this 5 parter. When I began this story I didn’t realize how long it was going to be!****
Jun 12, 2012
Our Story Part 4 . . . The Valentine Card
You are about to read the 4th part of a story
about how my husband and I met. The
following posts lead up to this post:
The drive home after attending Brent’s prom was long and
boring. I eagerly took my film (yep,
still used film . . . no digital in those days)
to be developed at the 1 hour
place. I just had to have something to
show my friends at school on Monday.
Eagerly I awaited the return of summer. I knew our next meeting would be at the
annual car show that would be held in Nebraska.
Brent and I both brought friends with us that year. Brent's parents also
let him drive a separate car. For 4 teenagers this was the best gift ever! We
now had freedom from the boring adult stuff.
After spending about 10 minutes in Nebraska all of us were
so thankful to have the freedom of our own car.
I’m sure Nebraska is a lovely state, but for a group of 16 and 17 year
olds it lacked a certain appeal. I mean
I don’t know what more was exciting, the tour through the tractor factory or the
fact that it rained almost constantly. I
didn’t care. I had an entire week to
spend with Brent. Throughout the week
our relationship evolved. We became more
comfortable with each other. I felt as
if that week would last forever, unfortunately it didn’t. The week came to a close and we were once
again forced to part ways.
Back in our respective hometowns our typical lives continued,
along with our letter writing. In the
fall I would begin my junior year of high school and he would begin his senior
year. Like most high school students we
both had a lot going on. I started my
first job and kept score for the wrestling team. Brent began a new job and wrestled. We were finding it difficult to write to each
other as much as we would have liked to.
It began to become apparent that Brent wasn’t writing to me
as frequently as he did at one time. I tried to remain optimistic, but I was also
becoming worried. After reviewing
several different scenarios in my head, I wrote him a letter expressing my
concerns regarding our lack of communication.
He responded quickly telling me that his feelings hadn’t changed. He wanted our relationship to remain the same. He was simply busy with his senior year and
things would get better soon.
With a renewed sense of faith in our relationship I made it
my goal to put together the best Valentine’s Day box ever and send it to him. I collected several meaningful items to put
in the box. I happily sent the box off
and eagerly awaited a reply from him.
February 14, came and passed, and I didn’t hear from
Brent. I told myself that he didn’t mean
to be late, he was just busy. I re-read
the most recent letter from him, especially the part where he told me that he didn’t
want things to change between us. I shared
my fears with my friends. They reassured
me that we were meant to be between us.
There just had to be a reasonable excuse for the lack of
communication.
When I least expected it, an envelope arrived. It was in the shape of a card. I felt a sense of relief sweep over me when I
came across it. I began to feel more at
ease when I opened it and a Valentine's Day card was reviled. Quickly I opened the card. Under the message printed in the card, Brent
wrote that he would always love me and signed his name. My heart began to melt and I felt so silly
for doubting our relationship. I then
began to read the handwritten message on the left side of the card. My delight quickly changed to
disappointment.
Basically he explained that he felt he was too busy to be in
a relationship, but he would always love me.
The fool broke up with me in a Valentine’s Day card! I was heartbroken. I re-read his words over and over just to be
sure that I understood them correctly.
Each time I read those words it was as if I had been stabbed in the heart
and the sting grew stronger and stronger.
I felt so dumb. How
could I have believed his letter claiming that he was too busy being a senior? I put too much into the relationship and was
slapped in the face. I placed so much
thought into the gift I sent him, and now I just felt so foolish.
I was hurt and broken.
***********************************************
After receiving that card I didn’t see or hear from Brent
for about a year and a half. The summer
before my freshman year of college my parents forced me to go on one last
family vacation. We traveled to Colorado
with the car club. Unfortunately Sara
wasn’t able to bail me out this summer, which was even more of a disappointment.
Once we finally arrived at the hotel where everyone was
staying I sulked in the hotel room. Just
as I was leaving the hotel room to find my parents, I was met with my mom
and . . . you guessed it, Brent.
I can still see the giddy look on my mom’s
face and hear the happy tone in her voice as she said “Look who I ran into.” I vividly remember giving him a nasty look
and simply saying “Oh, Hi”. I was hoping
that those simple words along with the tone of my voice would adequately convey
that I that I wanted absolutely NOTHING to do with him.
And
just because my mom brought him to come and say hi to me meant nothing! Absolutely NOTHING! Let’s face it I was really a big ol’ bitch to
him, but he deserved it, right?!
I soon came to the conclusion that there was no one else my
age to hang out with from the car club.
I had 2 choices: 1) Be alone and miserable for the whole week or 2) Suck
up my pride and hand out with the jerk Brent and his friend. I chose the latter. Much to my surprise I enjoyed the time that
we spent together. I think that it was
helpful to have his friend there too.
*******************************************
When the week ended I traveled home with my parents. I began my freshman year of college and didn’t
give Brent a second thought.
********************************************
One day I went back to my dorm after class. As usual, I checked my email. I came across an email address that I didn’t
recognize. I was slightly cautious as I
opened it. The email was from
Brent. He had gone out of his way to
search for my email address because I never gave it to him. This meant
he had to remember the name of the school ( I attended a small university) I told him I would be attending so
that he could search the university data base.
Most 20 year old guys don’t put that much effort into connecting with a
girl.
I was over whelmed with a flood of emotions.
When we were together things were
wonderful. Brent always treated me with
dignity and respect. No other guy ever
made me feel special like he did. He made me feel like a
princess. I could trust him.
But the fact remained, the
fool broke up with me in a goddamn Valentine’s Day card, and it tore me
apart! Was I ready to let my guard
down? Could I overlook the past and have
a future with him? Or would I always think of the pain and not let go?
Jun 11, 2012
Our Story part 3 . . . The Dance
You are about to read the 3rd section of a story sharing how my husband and I met.
The Swing on the Porch . . . Our Story and The Letter . . . Our Story part 2 proceeded this portion.
Before continuing with the story I must explain why I wasn't able to write until now. We visited my parents over the weekend. This means that my Friday was spent doing laundry and packing for all of us to make the 3 hour visit. It is amazing how much 3 children, 1 dog and 2 adults can fit into a Tahoe! I wonder if it wouldn't be better to upgrade to the Suburban.
I'm glad you returned for the 3rd part!
I left off explaining that Brent called to tell me that he was going to be able to attend the winter formal at my school, Snowball. I had been sick and didn't actually talk with him, but my mom did. When she told me that he was coming I was absolutely overwhelmed with joy.
My friends and I went shopping and made all of the necessary arrangements to prepare for the dance such as; buying our dresses, and accessories, booking hair appointments, making dinner arrangements, and so on.
It seemed as if it took f o r e v e r for the day of the dance to arrive. When Brent and his family finally got to my hometown I was all of the sudden filled with complete nervousness. The thought of actually having a verbal conversation, rather than one that was written frightened me. What if I said something stupid? I couldn't erase it! What if my voice sounded dumb? He would actually hear me! What would we talk about? Oh my gosh what was I thinking when I asked him to come?!
1998 - Brent, Me, and Sara
Sara, one of our other friends, and their dates accompanied Brent and I. Everyone, along with their parents came over to my parent's house. We did the usual posing for photos and headed to dinner. After dinner we were off to the dance. Sadly, most of the dance was spent sitting around a table talking and watching others dance. We didn't break out of our comfort zone and only danced to the slow songs.
Brent and I had the opportunity to meet up again in Chicago for our first valentine's day. Some car thing going on so we used this event to lure our parents into allowing us to meet up. While there we exchanged gifts. I made him a mixed tape (Yes, that's correct, a mixed tape. You know the thing they had before CDs and MP3s.) His mom decorated a box that had a picture of the 2 of us from Snowball glued in it. A stuffed Pooh Bear dressed up like a valentine bee was also in the box.
In the spring Brent invited me to attend his prom. My parents and I drove to his home town. With this trip came a whole new set of concerns. I would be meeting his friends for the first time. In general 17 year old boys are almost always nice to any girl they meet. It's the girls you have to worry about. Girls are mean and nasty and hateful!
1998 - Brent and I before his prom
His mom made an appointment for me to get my hair done on the morning of the prom. I later learned that the daughter of the hairdresser grew up with Brent and had a huge crush on him. Needless to say, the daughter was too happy about me being there or her mom doing my hair.
We went to dinner with a group of his friends. While at the dance, I met lots of his friends. Much to my relief they were all super nice. Another bonus was the fact that they knew who I was. This meant that Brent must have talked about me as much as I talked about him. We spent most of the night on our feet dancing and talking.
He took me back to the hotel where my parents and I were staying when the dance ended. Slowly we walked through the hallways and to the door. We took forever to say goodnight. It was apparent that neither one of us wanted the night to end. As we stood outside of the door letting time just waste away, we came to an awkward moment. You know the one where you just want to stay in the moment and not let anything change, but you know that your parents are waiting so you need to get going? Then, it happened; he leaned in and kissed me good night. Our first kiss . . . and it was perfect!
The next day we went to Great America with one of his friends and I went home.
**** I will continue tomorrow! ****
Our Story Part 4 . . . The Valentine Card
The Swing on the Porch . . . Our Story and The Letter . . . Our Story part 2 proceeded this portion.
Before continuing with the story I must explain why I wasn't able to write until now. We visited my parents over the weekend. This means that my Friday was spent doing laundry and packing for all of us to make the 3 hour visit. It is amazing how much 3 children, 1 dog and 2 adults can fit into a Tahoe! I wonder if it wouldn't be better to upgrade to the Suburban.
I'm glad you returned for the 3rd part!
I left off explaining that Brent called to tell me that he was going to be able to attend the winter formal at my school, Snowball. I had been sick and didn't actually talk with him, but my mom did. When she told me that he was coming I was absolutely overwhelmed with joy.
My friends and I went shopping and made all of the necessary arrangements to prepare for the dance such as; buying our dresses, and accessories, booking hair appointments, making dinner arrangements, and so on.
It seemed as if it took f o r e v e r for the day of the dance to arrive. When Brent and his family finally got to my hometown I was all of the sudden filled with complete nervousness. The thought of actually having a verbal conversation, rather than one that was written frightened me. What if I said something stupid? I couldn't erase it! What if my voice sounded dumb? He would actually hear me! What would we talk about? Oh my gosh what was I thinking when I asked him to come?!
Sara, one of our other friends, and their dates accompanied Brent and I. Everyone, along with their parents came over to my parent's house. We did the usual posing for photos and headed to dinner. After dinner we were off to the dance. Sadly, most of the dance was spent sitting around a table talking and watching others dance. We didn't break out of our comfort zone and only danced to the slow songs.
Brent and I had the opportunity to meet up again in Chicago for our first valentine's day. Some car thing going on so we used this event to lure our parents into allowing us to meet up. While there we exchanged gifts. I made him a mixed tape (Yes, that's correct, a mixed tape. You know the thing they had before CDs and MP3s.) His mom decorated a box that had a picture of the 2 of us from Snowball glued in it. A stuffed Pooh Bear dressed up like a valentine bee was also in the box.
In the spring Brent invited me to attend his prom. My parents and I drove to his home town. With this trip came a whole new set of concerns. I would be meeting his friends for the first time. In general 17 year old boys are almost always nice to any girl they meet. It's the girls you have to worry about. Girls are mean and nasty and hateful!
His mom made an appointment for me to get my hair done on the morning of the prom. I later learned that the daughter of the hairdresser grew up with Brent and had a huge crush on him. Needless to say, the daughter was too happy about me being there or her mom doing my hair.
We went to dinner with a group of his friends. While at the dance, I met lots of his friends. Much to my relief they were all super nice. Another bonus was the fact that they knew who I was. This meant that Brent must have talked about me as much as I talked about him. We spent most of the night on our feet dancing and talking.
He took me back to the hotel where my parents and I were staying when the dance ended. Slowly we walked through the hallways and to the door. We took forever to say goodnight. It was apparent that neither one of us wanted the night to end. As we stood outside of the door letting time just waste away, we came to an awkward moment. You know the one where you just want to stay in the moment and not let anything change, but you know that your parents are waiting so you need to get going? Then, it happened; he leaned in and kissed me good night. Our first kiss . . . and it was perfect!
The next day we went to Great America with one of his friends and I went home.
**** I will continue tomorrow! ****
Our Story Part 4 . . . The Valentine Card
Jun 7, 2012
Our Story Part 2 . . . The letter
In order to completely understand this story you will need to first read, The Swing on the Porch . . . our story .
Thanks for coming back to read the 2nd part!
As I was saying yesterday, I put the letter (I feel really old saying this, but this was just before email became so popular) under the windshield wiper and returned to my hotel room. While my family and I packed up and prepared to head home ourselves, I couldn't help but feel heavy hearted. I remember feeling as if I could tear up at any moment coupled with embarrassment and silliness all at the same time. I only spent a few days with this boy how could I possibly be so smitten? I honestly don't recall, but I'm sure I was a pleasure of attitude to ride home with.
Back at home, I returned to life as I knew it. My parents went to work. I slept as long as I wanted to. When I did get up I talked on the phone, watched MTV, or tanned in the backyard. Oh, and I did manage to unload the dishwasher and pick up a bit.
Wow, I sure had it rough, right?!
One new little routine was added to my day, I just had to check the mail. While I wouldn't allow myself to fully believe a response would happen, a small part of my heart was hoping that among all of those bill, magazines, and ads, there would be a letter from Brent.
Each day that passed without a response caused a me to loose hope a little at a time. In my head I began to question myself: Should I have done that? Does he think I'm just some dumb girl? Did he and his dad make fun of me and get a good laugh at my expense on their trip home? Has he told his friends about me?
Finally, the day came. Unknowingly, I pulled the pile of mail from the box and flipped through it, as usual. There it was, a letter address to me and the return address was from none other than, Brent, my Brent! Oh I was so excited! I could hardly contain myself. Now the trick was to pull myself together and walk in the house and to my bedroom without my parents being aware of the fact that I had received the letter that I had been waiting weeks for.
**On a side note I never specifically told them that I gave Brent our address and that I was hoping to keep up some kind of correspondence with him.
When I finally got to my room I read his wonderful letter. I read it over and over and over again. I didn't care that the first time I read it took a little longer than the rest, because he had sloppy boy writing. It didn't bother me that the paper looked as if he had torn it out of a notebook in a rush with no attention paid to the fact that there were jagged edges hanging all over the place. He wrote back to me. That's all that mattered!!!
After reading his letter I did the only thing that seemed natural, I called Sara! She spent the night that night and we wrote a letter back to Brent, because why would I think that I could write a letter on my own?
School began for both Brent and I in August. We managed to maintain our correspondence. Each time a new letter came in the mail I eagerly brought it to school, shared it with my friends, and yearned to hear from him again. Eventually, pictures and phone numbers were exchanged. I found a special frame for his school picture. Often I looked at it remembering the short time spent together and imagining the good times yet to come. I'm not sure how or when, but at some point it was established that we were exclusively Boyfriend and Girlfriend.
In one of his letters Brent asked if I would be able to meet him in a large city half way in between our hometowns. When I read these words I was so excited and nervous at the same time. This also required me to talk to my parents. I wasn't old enough to drive. I would have to rely on them. Which meant finding a good way and a good time to approach the parental units, to do non other than ask for them to drive 3 hours so that I could meet up with some boy. But in my eyes he wasn't just some boy, he was my Brent. He made me feel important and special.
I must have come up with a great speach because much to my surprise and delight my parents agreed to take me meet him. Sara came with us as well. I had to have my support system. Brent and his friend were going to meet us at Woodfield Mall in Chicago. He picked a time and told us to meet him at the food court.
We ran into a little trouble when we got to the mall and discovered that there was no food court! (Again another moment where I feel old, we didn't have cell phones yet, so I couldn't just pick up the phone and call him) Sara and I came up with the only thing that seemed logical at the time, look for McDonalds. Brent worked at McDonalds so he must have wanted to meet us there, right? There was infact a McDonalds, however, it was closed. Fail. Again. Now what? I just spent 3 hours in the car, which actually felt like an eternity, only to be dissappointed? Are you kidding me?
Then there it was, it seemed as if a spotlight shone down upon it, Burger King that is. Brent and his friend were there waiting for us. After arranging a time and a place to meet my parents finally left us to just do what teenagers did, hold hands and hang out at the mall.
When it was time to leave I was sad, but at ease. I knew this would not be our last interaction. Of course the car ride home was spent reminising and giggling about the day. Life resumed and our writing continued.
January brought a new opportunity for Brent and I to see one another. My school was having a winter formal. After gettting the ok from my parents I invited him to the dance. I was so excited as I wrote to him asking him to come. It seemed as if he took forever to respond.
Then finally, he called. I was sick and had gone to bed early. My mom talked to him and he told her that he would be able to come. My mom came in my room and woke me up to tell me about the phone call. I remember feeling so happy, as if I could just jump out of bed!
****Ok this is longer than I anticpated. I'm going to have to continue tomorrow!****
Our Story Part 3 . . . The Dance
Thanks for coming back to read the 2nd part!
As I was saying yesterday, I put the letter (I feel really old saying this, but this was just before email became so popular) under the windshield wiper and returned to my hotel room. While my family and I packed up and prepared to head home ourselves, I couldn't help but feel heavy hearted. I remember feeling as if I could tear up at any moment coupled with embarrassment and silliness all at the same time. I only spent a few days with this boy how could I possibly be so smitten? I honestly don't recall, but I'm sure I was a pleasure of attitude to ride home with.
Back at home, I returned to life as I knew it. My parents went to work. I slept as long as I wanted to. When I did get up I talked on the phone, watched MTV, or tanned in the backyard. Oh, and I did manage to unload the dishwasher and pick up a bit.
Wow, I sure had it rough, right?!
One new little routine was added to my day, I just had to check the mail. While I wouldn't allow myself to fully believe a response would happen, a small part of my heart was hoping that among all of those bill, magazines, and ads, there would be a letter from Brent.
Each day that passed without a response caused a me to loose hope a little at a time. In my head I began to question myself: Should I have done that? Does he think I'm just some dumb girl? Did he and his dad make fun of me and get a good laugh at my expense on their trip home? Has he told his friends about me?
Finally, the day came. Unknowingly, I pulled the pile of mail from the box and flipped through it, as usual. There it was, a letter address to me and the return address was from none other than, Brent, my Brent! Oh I was so excited! I could hardly contain myself. Now the trick was to pull myself together and walk in the house and to my bedroom without my parents being aware of the fact that I had received the letter that I had been waiting weeks for.
**On a side note I never specifically told them that I gave Brent our address and that I was hoping to keep up some kind of correspondence with him.
When I finally got to my room I read his wonderful letter. I read it over and over and over again. I didn't care that the first time I read it took a little longer than the rest, because he had sloppy boy writing. It didn't bother me that the paper looked as if he had torn it out of a notebook in a rush with no attention paid to the fact that there were jagged edges hanging all over the place. He wrote back to me. That's all that mattered!!!
After reading his letter I did the only thing that seemed natural, I called Sara! She spent the night that night and we wrote a letter back to Brent, because why would I think that I could write a letter on my own?
School began for both Brent and I in August. We managed to maintain our correspondence. Each time a new letter came in the mail I eagerly brought it to school, shared it with my friends, and yearned to hear from him again. Eventually, pictures and phone numbers were exchanged. I found a special frame for his school picture. Often I looked at it remembering the short time spent together and imagining the good times yet to come. I'm not sure how or when, but at some point it was established that we were exclusively Boyfriend and Girlfriend.
In one of his letters Brent asked if I would be able to meet him in a large city half way in between our hometowns. When I read these words I was so excited and nervous at the same time. This also required me to talk to my parents. I wasn't old enough to drive. I would have to rely on them. Which meant finding a good way and a good time to approach the parental units, to do non other than ask for them to drive 3 hours so that I could meet up with some boy. But in my eyes he wasn't just some boy, he was my Brent. He made me feel important and special.
I must have come up with a great speach because much to my surprise and delight my parents agreed to take me meet him. Sara came with us as well. I had to have my support system. Brent and his friend were going to meet us at Woodfield Mall in Chicago. He picked a time and told us to meet him at the food court.
We ran into a little trouble when we got to the mall and discovered that there was no food court! (Again another moment where I feel old, we didn't have cell phones yet, so I couldn't just pick up the phone and call him) Sara and I came up with the only thing that seemed logical at the time, look for McDonalds. Brent worked at McDonalds so he must have wanted to meet us there, right? There was infact a McDonalds, however, it was closed. Fail. Again. Now what? I just spent 3 hours in the car, which actually felt like an eternity, only to be dissappointed? Are you kidding me?
Then there it was, it seemed as if a spotlight shone down upon it, Burger King that is. Brent and his friend were there waiting for us. After arranging a time and a place to meet my parents finally left us to just do what teenagers did, hold hands and hang out at the mall.
When it was time to leave I was sad, but at ease. I knew this would not be our last interaction. Of course the car ride home was spent reminising and giggling about the day. Life resumed and our writing continued.
January brought a new opportunity for Brent and I to see one another. My school was having a winter formal. After gettting the ok from my parents I invited him to the dance. I was so excited as I wrote to him asking him to come. It seemed as if he took forever to respond.
Then finally, he called. I was sick and had gone to bed early. My mom talked to him and he told her that he would be able to come. My mom came in my room and woke me up to tell me about the phone call. I remember feeling so happy, as if I could just jump out of bed!
That's us in 1997. Oh my gosh look at Brent's baby face!
****Ok this is longer than I anticpated. I'm going to have to continue tomorrow!****
Our Story Part 3 . . . The Dance
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