Ten Things Thursday

(Why hello, Ten Things! It's been a long time since I've done this!)


Ten things that are making me happy RIGHT NOW

1 Lisa and Katie's wedding this weekend. It was such a fun, awesome party, and a beautiful day, in all senses of the word. I am so happy for them!

2. Getting to hang out with Tim.  We always have such an great time when we do- he totally gets my sense of humor, and is right there with me in the That's What She Said jokes.  Also, my cat loves him. or wants to bite him. One of these things is true.

3 The awesome, giggly fun brunch Tim and I had at Salainte on Sunday.  Full Irish Breakfast!

4  Seeing Edie play. (Also hanging out with her at the wedding) and not just because she's awesome (which she is). Hearing her play always makes me want to write more.  Her beautiful words make my heart stretch out and try to capture those feelings for myself, and I always have an itch to write after hearing her live.

5 I've kept a plant alive for four weeks! SUCK ON THAT, BLACK THUMB! (cue karma killing the plant..... now) it's a basil plant. So maybe.... I can keep delicious plants alive?

6 Having the most awesome Wedding Twin ever!

7  Actually getting into my kitchen to make things- I haven't really cooked in a long time, but I made Fruit Salsa, (my mom's recipe) and Lora Brody's Intense Chocolate cake. (and it was yay!)

8  Being really happy with something I wrote (a rarity)

9  Feeling pretty when I was all dressed up.

10  My Drunk Kitchen. Seriously. You should all watch this. I have... multiple times.

photo credit: Tim Bingaman    

Two of my best friends got married this weekend, and they asked me to write something to read at the wedding.  After I got over my initial terror of not writing something good (read: procrastinating like a mofo) I started to write. And everything I wrote came out like stupid, saccharine cliches about love. Which was kind of appropriate, because they have an epic, ridiculous amazing love, that they fit all of those cliches... but alas, I wrote several drafts, and wasn't happy with any of them.

Then, a few weeks ago, they got legally married in DC. (they couldn't get married in Maryland on their wedding day, because Maryland is dumb, and AGAINST BASIC CIVIL RIGHTS. ahem.) I saw, on that day, that even when things get a little crazy, and are not the way that they might have imagined (the ceremony room was tack-ay), in the end, it didn't matter, because all you could see is how much they love each other. 

So one night not long after that, I was driving home, and thinking about this thing that I was writing, and how much about life, and friendship and love, that I've learned from them, and then, miraculously, the words came very easily. 

This is what I said: 

When I had a question about friendship, 

I turned to you and you both showed me what an amazing friendship was; 

with caring, love, and honesty

When I had a question about strength, 

I saw how you lean on each other when things are hard

and cheer for each other when you need it 

When I had a question about loyalty

I was blown away by your fierce faith and devotion to the things that are important to you. 

When I had a question about trust, 

I could see it in the way that you are careful with each other's hearts. 

When I had a question about humor

I was gently and relentlessly mocked. 

When I had a question about family;

I saw how much you love yours, and how you've created a family of friends that I am honored to be included in. 

And when I had a question about love, I already had all of the answers, because I have been a witness to your love for each other for the last nine years.

L&K- I love you guys so much, and I'm so happy you asked me to be part of your day. 

Ten awesome things about my dad

1.  That he's always supported me, and is an excellent sounding board when I have problems that I need to work out.

2.  His sense of humor, even though it verges on the ridiculous at times.

3.  The way that he gets so excited about things- whether it be a french press and Bolivian coffee, or stepstools for his collection, or his "man cave"

4.  He never hesitates when asked to help someone. No matter if it's a friend needing help moving, or Guatemalan kids who need their teeth pulled (on the Mission Trips he takes; he's not some sort of whack job)

5.  The way he tells me the truth about things, even if it's not the answer I necessarily wanted to hear.

6.  That he can start up a conversation, with anyone, anywhere, about anything.

7.  The way that he looks at my mom, after thirty-plus years of marriage, like he is still so, so in love with her.

8.  That he's my biggest cheerleader, and so proud of everything I do. (to the point of embarrassment at times)

9.  His awesome waffles. (Even though he used to make us do push ups for them when we were little)

10.  His giant, huge heart, and the way that he loves his family and friends.

Happy father's day, dad. I love you.