My "Say Anything" Moment

I love this scene in the movie "Say Anything." I had this moment during my courtship with Greg. We had been dating about 2 weeks when I returned home for the summer from BYU after my sophomore year. Greg found out that I had a "serious" college boyfriend. He threw a fit, we had a fight, and I thought that was the end of us. (In all sincerity, there wasn't much "us" on my part since I had only gone out with him about 5 times during that 2 week period.)

The next night when I came home from a long day of work and night out with some friends, my mom told me that Greg had been calling repeatedly. When he called again, he asked if he could come over and talk to me. I told him not to since there was really no point in it. Like he found out, I had a serious BYU guy I was returning to after the summer. Next thing I knew, he was at my door. Since I was pretty irritated that he came over when I asked him not to, I opened the front door and made him talk to me through the screen door.

 He apologized for the way he acted the night before. What he proceeded to say is still a fresh memory after all these years.

"I don't care that you have a college boyfriend. He's not here and I am. If all I can be is the guy you date during the summer, then I'll take it, because it's better than nothing. I do need you to know that I know you're the one for me. I know we are going to end up together. As soon as you figure that out, let me know so we can get on with our lives together."

Pretty bold for a guy that I barely knew.
He proposed 4 weeks after that.
We got married 4 months later.
And this year, we celebrated 26 years.

If You Offend Easily, Don't Read

With the "gift giving" holiday ahead, here are some of my frustrations with the whole thing.
 Receiving:
 1. Say "thank you" when you get a present. Don't tell me it wasn't what you wanted or that you don't need it. Just say THANK YOU. You can throw it away or re-gift and I won't know or be hurt. Telling me it isn't what you wanted is just mean.
 2. If you tell me you don't want or need anything, that's what I'm giving you. Don't pout about it later. I gave you what you wanted.
 3. Don't compare your gift with someone else. This is only ok and somewhat tolerable when you are 2. When you're 22, 32, 42, 52, 62, 72, etc. and you compare, you're just a jerk.

 Giving: 1. Don't tell me to go pick something and send you a bill. Just give me money instead. One is somewhat less personable than the other.
 2. Don't ask me what I want and then tell me to keep it under $20. Just give me a gift card then.
 3. I'm not ten years old. I don't care if you don't give me anything. I would rather you be nice to me all year than give me a gift yearly. There, I said it.

Life's lesson from running.

Greg and I decided to run this half for our anniversary. We try to run two a year. This is what I've learned running as it applies to life:
1. Those who run for competition sake are most likely to throw up at the finish line.
2. Getting older means it's OK to run slower. You win just by showing up.
3. Running uphill isn't bad if you stay focused.
4. Running downhill increases your chance at getting injured. You get careless.
5. Don't become over confident when you pass people. The race is long, they'll probably catch you and leave you behind.
6. Don't judge those who have to walk. You might have to.
7. You can cheer on a complete stranger.
 8. The race is nicer if you run with someone you love.
9. Mile 4 is hard, it's uphill... likewise, mile 8 is great.
10. Music during the race makes everything better.