I started to write this as a Facebook post, but then I realized it needed to be in a blog..get ready for some seriously mushy lovey-dovey words.
Last night started out in an excited blur. Nate has been saving up for a new car. He sold the car he got for his high school graduation. And he was ready to buy a new car. While, he had money saved up for a nice size down payment, and his credit was decent enough. He didn't have ENOUGH credit to actually get financed by the bank with a reasonable interest rate. So, Tracy agreed to help with that (just like my dad did for me when I was 19...just like we did for Nick when Nick was 18). Nate had the car already picked out and the price and warranty negotiated. Once the had the check from the bank, we all piled into my car and went to pick up his car. A cute little Mini Cooper S. Nate was so excited. And while we were there, Naomi looked at a few cars; she is getting ready to buy her first car. Both of our kids are finally moving on and moving forward after losing their brother in 2014 and it feels good to watch them growing up and becoming independent.
Anyway, after the excitement of the car shopping, Tracy and I decided on a quiet night of going for Indian food and then heading home to hang out at the tiki bar. It was a beautiful night for the tiki bar it was 80 degrees and dropping. Tracy brought out the speaker and played a Jack Johnson play list he had created from 2 albums: "From You to Now" and the one where he gives the narrative to all of the songs in the previously mentioned album. We sat at the bar, enjoying each others company and listening to our own private back yard Jack Johnson concert. The "From You to Now" album is like a journey through his life, including the love story between he and his wife. It is so freaking sweet. And Tracy and I relate to so many parts of his stories.
As the music played, we found ourselves, dancing barefooted in our grass (carefully avoiding any dog bombs...we were not prepared for this. LOL) It was spontaneous and beautiful and we held each other and slow danced to "I Got You"...looking into each other's eyes, the summer breeze blowing through the leaves of the trees and brushing our skin. The grass beneath our feet was cool. It was just us, the birds, and the summer evening sky. It was magical and beautiful. After that song ended, we sat back down and listened to more stories and more songs. Jack started in on a new story about his song "Washing Dishes" and how he and his wife met when he was just starting out but she saw something great in him and encouraged him to follow his dreams and to do everything he wanted to do. And again, I thought about me and Tracy. I knew from the minute I saw him (without even knowing his name) that I was suppose to marry him. We were 14 years old, but I knew he was going to be successful. When we found out I was pregnant before we got married, I swore I would make sure he would finish college and follow his dreams. I would support him in that, because I saw greatness in him. And now, he is the one supporting me in following my dreams with burlesque..because he sees these things in me. We were nothing but kids when we met, and every time one of us wants to do something, we support each other and cheer each other on. Tracy has always seen greatness in me, and vice versa. We smiled, laughed and I said, "How did Jack get into our heads???!!!!" We kept listening and Jack told his stories and sang his songs. Then "Never Fade" came on, and Tracy looked into my eyes and serenaded me with Jack's words. We have been together for nearly 35 years. We are just a few weeks away from celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary, and I can tell you with everything in my soul, that I love him more and more every single day. Our love will never fade; it only gets stronger. And last night was so freaking cheesy and sweet and so perfect for this old married couple!
Of course, all good things come to an end. Or do they? Maybe they just get better! The kids came home. First Naomi came out and joined us at the bar. The mood quickly shifted from cheesy and sweet to just fun. Then Nate came out and joined us. All for of us were out there at the bar listening to Jack and talking and laughing. I swear Nate had me cracking up so hard. These 2 human beings that have chosen us to be their parents are amazing. They are such great friends. And when a spontaneous family night happens out at the bar, it's the best kind of family night! It was the perfect ending to a perfect night filled with excitement, achievements in maturity, love, laughter, memories, and anticipation of even more greatness to come for our children.
This is what love nearly 35 year later looks like......
