last friday tim texted me:
"you wanna go to cali tomorrow with me until next friday. my parents will watch the kids."
i texted back:
"yes. 100 percent."
he texted:
"start packing."
i did. and it was good i did, because we decided there was no reason to wait for tomorrow. and in three hours i had packed for us, the kids and we were on the road.
a great week.
tim bought a mini flashlight, after he asked if i would read him my story (i had just printed it out, because i had reached the nano half way point that day).
he was an excellent listener, and he did happen to ask each scene, "and she [my main character] looks really hot in this scene, right?"
"super hot." i would assure him.
"good." and then he would keep listening.
he would save all the pink starbursts for me [as we all know the most coveted flavor].
he sang to all our country favorites, and the christmas classics.
he held my hand for our "sunday stroll" that turned into a five hour, eight mile walk. there was no reason for us to stop--and that was kind of magical.
he distracted during the "twisties" between st. george and las vegas--which weren't so scary this time.
he talked to merida, when i could not, because i was literally tongue-tied. it was a nancy turner moment, but i knew i could not tell her how much i loved her [even i can't suspend my reality that far].
he introduced me to the disneyland corndog--which may be my new favorite food, but he also drove to jama juice every morning for my breakfast.
he bought my most favorite scarf i had ever seen and made sure he took pictures of me in five different places until i was sure there was one i loved wearing it.
and my favorite moment of the trip, when he asked the clerk if they knew where we could get the complementary "happy anniversary" buttons that i had heard about--and then pinned one on his jacket. shortly after, we were herded onto main street with a handful of other people, literally walking right before the parade, where hundreds of people were all lined up. he spinned me in several dance moves and we received some applause. we were the anniversary "pre parade."
14 years.
yesterday, i missed him. it was so nice to be with him 24/7 for eight days.
thanks babe, even if you did triple my score in the buzz lightyear ride.