Supper.

Before I got married, I literally dreamed of cooking for my husband. It sounds silly. Or even a bit cliché. But I did. I have always loved hosting friends and family. Especially when it involves preparing a meal. I love having people leave feeling nourished, in whatever way that might be at the time. It's always been therapeutic for me. I thought it sounded dreamy to cook for some future wonderful man that I loved-every single night. But, something has surprised me.

I absolutely love cooking for him but also with him. It's the simple, little things that I adore. I love preparing something beautiful and healthy for us to eat. I love searching the grocery store together for a authentically delicious meal we have in mind and making grocery lists and meal plans. Or sifting through the cupboards and getting really creative. I look forward to stopping by a fresh fruit & vegetable stand on the way home from work only to find the most delicious, fresh, colorful ingredients. I love all of those little things. 

It's safe to say I married the most whimsical man there is. Last night, we ate our supper in our very tiny, cozy studio apartment. We talked about our days while we sat on our wildflower bedspread. Then to top off the evening, he came back from his run later that night and said, "Jos! A skunk was running beside me! And then later, a horse! And even a deer!" 

Thank goodness for evenings such as these and for Ryan's dish man hands that always seem to do the dishes one hundred times faster than mine. 

It's all quite dreamy.

The Strongest Tulips.

noun  re·sil·ience \ri-ˈzil-yən(t)s\

an ability to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune 

In university, I loved studying resiliency in children. Each time we even glossed over the topic I was instantly interested and amazed. How is it that children have this ability? 
As I teacher, I have had my fair share of resilient children. It’s mind boggling how many child are dealing with very adult issues. Five and six year olds are dealing with situations that adults struggle to live through. It is literally heart wrenching, as their teacher, to watch the children day by day live through such things. As a teacher, I am their advocate. But often times, this situations cannot be tremendously changed because cycles of poverty are embedded in their families. What I’ve learned is I can worry and fret-but in the end it is most important to create a haven in my classroom where they feel loved.

These resilient children are able to persevere-yet they are still developing rational thinking and social coping skills. It’s my belief that they are give this ability to rise above their circumstances form heaven. It is something to deep, so innate that is must be given from on high. The ability is something adults seem to be seeking for-Adversity does not define a person, but rather, how a person reacts to the adversity. 

"While a child's earthly situation may not be ideal, a child's DNA is perfect."

-Neil L. Anderson 

(read here)

Fly Me to the Moon.

The first time we met went out for cake at The Chocolate. It was the most darling place that we just so happened to stumble upon late one evening. We even sampled one called, "The Husband." But something happened that evening as we talked and shared stories of our lives.  He was (and still very much is) very handsome in his mustard cardigan, hair swooped across his forehead as he listened to intently story after story. It felt like we were the only ones at that little cake shop as we sat across the tiniest table getting to know each other.  
After we parted, I called Mama. 

"So, how was your date with Ryan Beaumont?"

"Mama, I want to have a boy just like that."

Now I'm married to that man in the mustard cardigan. 

There is still so much magic when we are together. When I think back to the first time we held hands, kissed, or even when he asked to marry me under a sky of paper lanterns, it's not a reminiscent feeling because that same magical feeling is still there. My stomach is still full of monarchs. 

But now, there are just more of them. 

And maybe a few fairies, too. 

So, off we went to the Valentines Ball together at the old Provo Library. It was lovely. We took a ballroom dance class together last fall every Monday evening, so I thought I'd surprise Ryan to practice our skills. It felt like we had gone back in time. A live brass band playing so many of my favourites under a canopy of white lights. I loved when a waltz came because we'd hold each other close. I sang at the top of my lungs to Fly Me to the Moon, My Favourite Things, I've Got You Under My Skin, I've Got the World on a String and it happened again. Right there in the middle of a busy dance floor, I felt like we were the only ones there.