You know that song, “I would walk 500 miles, and I would walk 500 more, Just to be the man who walked 1000 miles to fall down at your door”? Yeah. That one got me. And the rest is history.
So it’s Valentines Day.
Yay.
It used to be a fun Holiday for me, a night to go out to dinner and get presents. Now? Well, not so much.
And that’s okay. I’m not a huge fan of Hallmark holidays. I mean, I wouldn’t refuse a gift if it fell in my lap, but I wouldn’t count on it either.
Either way, I know I’m loved. Because I have someone who tells me every single day. Yes he does. Even when I am my grumpiest, crabbiest, not showered-est self. When I turn away from a hug or a kiss, I’m still loved. And when I’m in a hurry on the phone and ready to hang up with a quick ‘okaybye,’ I still hear a ‘love you’ on the other end.
I have a pretty good partner. He’s not perfect, and he can be a real jerk. So can I. We’re probably even in that department.
He could do better than me. Someone out there would treat him better than I do. But for some reason, he chose me.
My life has taken a different path than the one I planned out for myself. I mean, I was going to be an architect for pete’s sake. An architect! And now, while I remember how important that was to me at the time, I rarely think of that time now. I’ve forgotten all the college catalogs I poured over; Seton Hall and Pepperdine, Tulane and Arizona. I am sure, however, that my mom remembers. She did after all, want me to grow up and do something with my life. (Hi Mom! I’m a blogger!) And I’m pretty sure that attending one of my home states biggest party schools wasn’t one of them. But I was following my heart.
And before I was going to grow up and be an architect, I dreamed of being an Olympic equestrian. Dreamed it day and night. Lived and breathed it. Again, I’m sure my mom remembers. (It’s a wonder you still talk to me, Mom.)
I always thought, somewhere down the line, that I’d be a mom.
I just didn’t know that being a mom was all I would need to be. It’s enough. It’s what I want to do. I’m not designing fabulous homes, but I can build a rockin’ house out of Legos. Or a ranch out of Lincoln Logs for storm troopers to plow thru. I can make someone happy doing that. I can entertain my three year old for an hour just by drawing anything she tells me to. For some reason, she thinks that is the coolest thing. My ability to draw a horse, or a dump truck, or a picture of our house at her command.
And being cool to my three year old is the kind of cool that I want to be.
And none of it would’ve happened had I not met someone who loved me for me. Someone who thought I was funny and pretty and smart. Someone who looked past the huge bangs and the rings I wore on every single finger. Someone who couldn’t care less if my Sun In faded or my spiral perm looked like an afro.
And just to be fair, I did have to look past the black high tops he wore. Every day. And the acid washed jeans. So he was no prize either, okay? And I won’t even mention the t-shirt collection. (That we still have.)
But he was the one for me.
And my life has ended up better than I ever planned it. Even on the bad days. And, like everyone else, there are plenty.
But when it’s good, it’s good.
And it doesn’t even have to be Valentine’s Day.
Posted: February 14th, 2008 under Special K.
Comments: 25
Comments
Comment from JanMary, N Ireland
Time: February 14, 2008, 2:47 am
“I just didn’t know that being a mom was all I would need to be. It’s enough. It’s what I want to do.”
Wonderfully put.
Comment from Mary@notbefore7
Time: February 14, 2008, 7:04 am
Rockin new look and new blog! Loving the “circus” subtitle - so creative gal.
This is a sweet tribute to your man! Hope he at least dumped the black high tops! 
Comment from Becky @ Boys Rule My Life
Time: February 14, 2008, 7:25 am
Y’all have been together for a while then. Acid jeans, black high tops, rings on every finger… long time. Very good. Very good. 
Architect, eh? Cool. (I think your post has me stuck in the late 80s) Did you get your degree like me and then put it in a closet somewhere? I have no idea where mine is.
I wish I could draw. I have no talent there what-so-ever. My stick figures are funny looking. Hey, post something that you draw… I’d love to see it. I bet it would entertain the blogosphere, too, and not just your three year old.
I enjoyed our brief email chat last night. I did get to bed before I received your last email. I didn’t sleep well, but I did at least make it to bed…
Ok, most of this should have been in an email. Sorry to take up so much comment space.
Have a great V-Day with your Special K!
Comment from Autumn Dahlia
Time: February 14, 2008, 8:24 am
That place we thought we were supposed to be isn’t always where we’re supposed to be. And if a relationship can make it through mall bangs and acid washed jeans? Well, I think it can then withstand anything
Happy Vday Lisa!
Comment from Jul
Time: February 14, 2008, 8:36 am
Happy Valentine’s Day Lis! XOXO
Comment from Sister Honey Bunch
Time: February 14, 2008, 8:57 am
Hey black high tops and acid washed jeans can be burned. Or taken to Goodwill. I good guy is tough to find.
Happy Hallmark Holiday!
Comment from Melanie
Time: February 14, 2008, 9:02 am
I’m sitting here at work listening to some great all time love ballads on the radio, reading your V-day/love post and I got to tell you…that was nicely written. I can tell there is much love in your family:)
Comment from Leslie (snaphappyinkymomma)
Time: February 14, 2008, 9:26 am
AWWWWW!
Comment from Cindy
Time: February 14, 2008, 10:08 am
I LOVE that song so much!
Great post even though I like you a little less now for being able to draw anything. My kids don’t think my drawings look like anything at all.
Comment from Holly
Time: February 14, 2008, 11:27 am
Hey I am lovin’ your new digs! Very cool.
Happy Valentine’s Day (or Happy Thursday, depending on how you feel about it).
Comment from Becky
Time: February 14, 2008, 11:55 am
I’m glad your back and AAAAWWWWW.
I’m also glad your horses look like horses, I was told mine don’t. One plus, my ducks look like ducks. 4 year olds are way smarter than I give them credit for.
Hey I can make a cool quilt out of that t-shirt collection.
Comment from Christie
Time: February 14, 2008, 12:30 pm
Girlfriend, you have a way with words. This was so poignant, so brilliantly said. If we can’t look past the big bangs and bad jeans, then what good are we, right? I loved this. One of my favorites of yours.
Comment from sheila
Time: February 14, 2008, 12:40 pm
you can write and i am sure glad i can read. awesome post and i have to believe that you truly do know and love what you are doing. I can promise you, you will be rewarded x 50 in the long run. i cannot express enough, how strongly i feel about the importance of motherhood and being a wife. i’m a little ahead of you in the child rearing world - it is so worth it.
but i have to say the “hi mom i’m a blogger” made me laugh and made my day.
youre a funny one.
thanks and you go have a terrific valentines!
Comment from Heidi
Time: February 14, 2008, 12:52 pm
Beautiful, Lisa. I knew he was a lucky guy already, but it sounds like you are a lucky gal, too! And you know it - which is even better!
Heidi
Comment from Queen B
Time: February 14, 2008, 12:57 pm
What a sweet post. Isn’t that kind of love just the best? It sounds like you both are very blessed.
Comment from New Diva on the Blog
Time: February 14, 2008, 4:11 pm
We were all quite the package when we first met weren’t we?! LOL Happy Valentine’s Day!
Comment from Lynette
Time: February 14, 2008, 4:11 pm
My goodness you are one awesome writer! And you’ve got one amazing head on your shoulders. I love your thinking.
Comment from Elisha
Time: February 14, 2008, 4:23 pm
I loved your post. I married a T-shirt collection too!
Comment from jesslev
Time: February 14, 2008, 9:32 pm
Good stuff! especially the acid wash jeans-
Big Daddy and I have been together since 1990! Time flies-
Happy Valentines Day!
Comment from Lisa
Time: February 14, 2008, 11:16 pm
love it, really Lisa, isnt this what its all about? Happy V day..from one Lisa to another..
coastal nest
Comment from Martha
Time: February 15, 2008, 8:23 am
Lisa,
I know how you feel…..I could care less about my career (or lack thereof) since I’ve had the Noodle. I only work because I have to. And I want to work as little as possible. It worries me a little bit - will I ever have that fire in my belly again? That fire to be a good worker? Because right now? That fire is reserved for my Noodle.
And you know what else? Zuddy has a really shabby t-shirt drawer, too. He dresses like a goon.
And you know what else? Your life seems perfect - even on the bad days.
Comment from Valleygirl
Time: February 15, 2008, 9:28 am
This is a beautiful, funny, poignant post, Lisa! Ahhhh, high tops and acid wash…. that takes me back!
So you were gonna be an architect too, huh? That was my plan as well, but then I realized I was sick and tired of school. I took one year of university and ditched the idea of higher education for earning money. And it took until very recently for me to figure out what I want to do for the rest of my life, too! (and that INCLUDES being a mom, which was NOT something I dreamed about when I was younger. It’s taken me several years of being one to WANT to be one!)
Comment from Kelly @ Love Well
Time: February 15, 2008, 12:48 pm
Amen!
Comment from Jenny from Chicago
Time: February 15, 2008, 8:31 pm
Dahling, you look maaaaahvelous! Love this look.
Comment from chickadee
Time: February 21, 2008, 8:29 pm
i used to love that song!
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