These are my favorite memories. The sporadic ones, the ones that happen on a whim, the spontaneous, jump-in-the-car-at-midnight ones. These are the moments where life feels solid, like something I can stand on and put all my weight on. Something I can breathe against.
Sunday night we finally had some time, just Brady and I, to spend putting up our Christmas tree. Brady had actually already put the tree up a few days before, on Thanksgiving, but the top of it is slightly crooked (it has been since we first bought it, but we somehow made it work last year). So we're about to start putting lights around it when Brady looks at the tree, looks back at me, and says, "Let's go get a new one. Let's just do it."
Money has been tight ever since we got back from our California trip in September. We're busier than ever. The combination of a full schedule and an empty bank account leads to some very distressed and exhausted people. So, we've had our fair share of arguments. But tonight, this night I'm telling you about, we decided to prioritize our marriage and its memories above anything else. We didn't have a lot of money in the bank, but our bills for the month were already paid and, you know what? IT'S CHRISTMAS! We love Christmas. And we love each other.
So we hopped in the car at nine o' clock on a Sunday night, even though we both had to work early in the morning, and we went hunting for our perfect tree. We tried Lowe's but they were closed. We didn't let that stop us. We drove further. We went to Target and we found the one! So full and beautiful. It was on sale for $103.99, which was more than either of us wanted to spend. Again, Brady says, "Let's do it." And I loved him for it.
We take it to the register and walk out with a receipt for $67.08. Not sure how it was on sale even more or of it was simply a Christmas miracle. Either way, we drove home, holding hands, and Brady spent the rest of the evening perfecting the branches.
And I don't care how simple or silly this story may seem. These are the moments I live for. The simple, the quiet, the risk-taking moments. The ones that don't boast, that aren't planned out perfectly, that aren't organized even in the least bit. The ones that mimic love completely: raw, vulnerable, spontaneous, loyal, passionate. The ones where love shines as bright as the star on top of the Christmas tree; boldly, profoundly, symbolically. The ones where love is more important than sleep, money, a clean house, laundry, our own selfish desires. The ones where love wins.
Happy Thanksgiving. I'm grateful for it all.
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