I have been thinking. And thinking. And thinking. Uploading picture after picture, and more thinking. How can I do this post justice? Obviously there will be a part 2, which should technically make this post easier. You know, less pressure to express the feelings I want to convey in just one entry. But nothing. I can’t think of the words I need.
Blog writer’s block? I’ve had it before. But this time, it’s just not fair. Because the feelings we feel after this past weekend are so strong, so wholesome, I want nothing more than to put it all down in words. So I can feel it again and again every time I revisit this place.
They are the feelings you feel when you think of fond childhood memories. Warmth, fun, chaos, love, laughter. Oh, laughter. Yesterday my sides hurt. I was actually sore. It took me more than a while to figure it out. Was it lifting Oliver? No, I do that all the time. Had I done something physical that had left my old muscles aching? Not really. Except laugh. Laugh and laugh and laugh until my mouth felt frozen and my cheeks ached and my sides actually hurt.
This time, the childhood memories are adult memories too. We welcomed close friends into our home for three days and it wasn’t enough time, if you ask me. The stress I usually feel when preparing for guests has been lost. Maybe indefinitely. It’s not that I don’t care about a mess or if people are comfortable and fed and taken care of, it’s that I am actually relaxed. Happy. Unstressed. These are my people. And I guess that is the way it is supposed to be.
The love is shared.
And love is complicated. Competitive toddler arguments, in the right context, can be downright hilarious. Is it bad that we secretly laughed inside each time a fist met the side of a head, an open hand made contact with a chubby cheek? Perhaps because such fierce love was followed by the typical stuff. A hug, some nice sharing of the coveted “red car,” sweet words and gentle giggles.
I watch these two boys grow up together, now from afar, but always together. They grow with parents who value the same things. Whose discipline often comes at the same time, through the same words. The consistencies create a harmony amidst the chaos of preschooler drama. And we meshed. I wondered so many times why we had taken no family trip until now. Spent no more than a long day playing together.
And amidst all of the wondering, it really didn’t matter. Because now we know.
And we are fueled by the people we love. Energized for more, touched and ready to share our lives with these, our people. We love you and miss you, Mary, Jamie, Ben, and Greta… and stay tuned for more of our favorite people (in the next post) whom we also love and miss already, Cat and Garriy!
*Thank you also, Mary, for taking some of these amazing pictures!*
I’m going to eat that Baby Oliver up when I see him.
Love this post. I can see you smiling as I read it. Can’t wait to see part II.
Hope you all have such a wonderful Thanksgiving! (Just make sure that Oliver doesn’t take the place of the turkey.. lol)
I think you found the words. You are an amazing mother, wife, friend, human being! We had the BEST time. We love you and we miss you. . .all of you.
I love this! I am so happy that you had that time…for not being able to think of how to express those feelings, you certainly conveyed them very strongly! THIS is what life is about! Happy Thanksgiving to your beautiful family! (and, I love your house!!!)
What a beautiful post, Lauren!! Happy Thanksgiving to The Knights! We miss seeing you four!