Airports, Bistros and More

I went with Brendan and his class to the local small airport. I was alternately amused and annoyed at people's reaction to the rain. Or rather, overreaction, it seemed to me. I felt like getting up on a soapbox and saying, "Excuse me, people! This is Oregon. It rains here. A lot. Shut up or move out!" But of course I didn't -- well, not very loudly anyway!

The kids got to sit in a little two seater (I'm afraid I didn't catch the name of the plane.), but they were rushed through because the line was standing out in the rain, except those who were fortunate enough to be close enough to be sheltered by the wing. It wasn't the greatest field trip I've been on. Not by a long shot. But I'm glad Brendan got to see the planes up close.

On a completely different note, yesterday I got to go on a real date with my honey! The church offers free childcare once a month, and we had a gift certificate to Bistro Maison, a really nice French restaurant in town. I made reservations and kept my fingers crossed that Mark would be well enough to go. He was. The food was wonderful (of course), and it was so relaxing to just sit and chat without the kids. It amazes me sometimes how far Mark and I have come, individually and as a couple, since this time last year. While Mark still hedges around things that are difficult for him to deal with, our discussions are far more open, far more honest than they used to be. I don't know this for certain, but I think that him seeing me grow and heal after going through the tremendously hard work of facing my fears and questions, seeing me finally start to fit into my own skin has made him more willing to face the tough questions himself. He is at a stage in the process where he is still skittish and unconvinced of his own strength, of his own ability to draw goodness out of the muck. But he'll get there. And in the meantime, I'm really enjoying the glimpses I get into this new, more vulnerable, more tender person to whom I am married.

Not only is he more tender, but he's also becoming more romantic. I was getting dressed for the evening, finishing off the outfit with jewelry, when he handed me a small box. I opened it to find a lovely necklace with a red heart and a silver key. Of course, I put it on right away. I love it! I really do. But I love even more that he thought of me, that he bought it for me, just because. While the whole evening was enjoyable, that gesture was the best part of all.