Weekend Open Thread

Last weekend, we had our first not-just-visiting-family family (mini-) vacation in three years, and it was wonderful. Well, mostly wonderful. I ended up getting sick for a big chunk of the trip, but luckily we were able to extend our stay by one day pretty easily so I got to decompress and relax at least a little bit before we headed home. (That’s us in the picture above — well, three of us, anyway — heading home on Monday.)

And now, in an even more rare occurrence, I’m off for another weekend away. This time, I’m flying solo, visiting Chicago for our annual friend reunion. (And I’ll apologize in advance to all Chicago friends I will likely fail to see; I hear I’m flying into a heat wave, and I fully expect to pick one or two of the coolest spots I can find — a deck chair in the shade, or the lake early in the morning or at dusk — and not budge for the duration of my brief visit, except maybe to grab a cold bottle of beer from the fridge or cooler.) Drew will be on full-time Dad duty this weekend, picking up the slack in my absence, saint that he is. I’m even missing our wedding anniversary on Sunday, which I feel terrible about, but which I will do my best to make up for upon my return. Thank you, Drew, for all you do as my husband, as the father of our kids, as my partner-in-crime on this “journey,” to borrow a Bachelor phrase, that we started years ago. I shudder to think where I’d be (or who I’d be with, let’s be honest) if I hadn’t met you. I don’t show you or tell you enough, but I hope you know how very much I not only love you, but also appreciate everything you. Your kindness, patience, good humor, compassion, and generosity are some of the main ingredients in my happiness, and they are exactly what I hope our kids will inherit as they watch you model them over and over (and I know we certainly give you enough opportunity to practice patience and good humor). We are so lucky to have you.

Happy anniversary to Drew, and happy weekend to the rest of you. Have a great one!