This is what love is:
Yesterday was exhausting as all Saturdays are.
My day began at 5:30 am when I got up to get ready for the Farmer’s Market. It was preceded by two days of round-the-clock baking and child care. Yesterday was a bit crazier than normal as I had a last minute pie order and literally baked a pumpkin pie from scratch at 6:45 in the morning while getting ready for the market.
I came home exhausted. Jack was overtired, but handling it well. Max was in meltdown mode. An hour of grumpiness followed. All parents can relate to feeling completely wiped out, but unable to catch your breath because clamouring children beg for attention.
Here’s where the love came:
Andres rallied us all, dismissed my excuses and took us downtown to the Miami International Book Fair. There was a panel discussion at 4:30 about epublishing, and since I have an ebook coming out shortly, he knew I should attend. I wanted to go, but the fatigue of the day, the frustration at Max’s behavior and the unknowns of finding parking and navigating the unfamiliar one ways of downtown were excuses keeping me put.
Andres wouldn’t have it.
We schlepped down there, found easy free parking, and had a great time!
The children were entranced by by the stilt-walkers and danced wildly in the streets to the beat of the live band. Andres took them to the Children’s Alley where they had a blast winning Food Bingo, dancing, hearing stories and playing, while I attended the publishing panel. I also met a book publicist and several reputable publishers.
Things I needed to do.
Things I was timid to do.
All I could think of was, this is love:
Nudging your partner out of fear and excuses. Going on an errand just to make it easier (There was no reason our whole family needed to go). Falling in love with your children together as they danced with abandon.
I felt like calling out to my single friends and warning them:
Don’t marry a sunset! Don’t marry roses! Don’t marry jewelry! Don’t marry passion! Don’t marry security! Don’t marry the right words! Don’t marry an image! Don’t marry Mr. Right! Don’t marry Mr. Right Now! Don’t marry perfect! Don’t marry money! Don’t marry a life preserver!
Marry flesh and blood love.
And go all in.
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