Happy Hearts Day

This is the card I made for my sweetie.  You may recognize a few goodies from my treasure hunting trip a few posts back.  The old label, bingo card piece, and bingo marker are from that trip. The flower is made with a scallop circle punch and old sewing pattern directions.  I really posted this to tell you a love story, not go on and on about the card.

Nine years ago today, I met my sweet husband at El Pollo Loco for lunch.  I was working full time days and he was working full time nights so we could care for our son who was in kindergarten.  Meeting for a quick fast food lunch was a treat for us.  We met half way down the mountain most nights to switch off  the kiddo as I was coming home and he was going to work.  After doing this for 5 years, we barely saw each other.  We both felt like single parents.  I was burnt out from 12 years of social work and keeping up this crazy schedule.  I'd worked my whole adult life, gone to school, and this was my chosen profession.  The thing is it no longer worked and it no longer fit me.  Something had to give, but I didn't see it.  My sweet husband has a way of seeing what I need before I see it.  While we were eating our hurried lunch and wishing each other a happy valentine's day, he gave me a gift.  It was unexpected and intangible.  I was lamenting about the latest drama at work, and he said, "why don't you quit".  I laughed and he said he was serious.  You see up until that day, I never even imagined it as an option.  We began to ponder the idea. The more we talked about it, the more excited I became.  I sat down with our finances that night and figured out that it was possible.  It would be a huge lifestyle change, but it was possible.  We put the wheels in motion and 6 weeks later I became a stay at home mom who cooked dinner and helped in the classroom and drove her son to school, and began having a life I never knew I wanted or needed.

Over the last nine years many things have happened that wouldn't have been possible if we hadn't had that lovely fast food lunch that day.  I've been substitute teaching since about 6 months after I left my full time job.  I was able to homeschool Kyle for 2 years to help him through some learning disabilities that had gone undetected earlier.  I've been able to pursue my passion with crafting in ways I never imagined.  Mostly, though, I found my marriage.  I fell in love with my husband all over again.  Our family is stronger and I wouldn't trade one day of it for a fancy dinner out or a shopping trip to Nordstrom with a personal shopper.  Those things are fleeting pleasures.  This life gives me enduring love and contentment beyond my wildest dreams.  Happy Valentine's Day.