Just the Two of Us

As I sit here and write this blog post, my delightful daughter is on her way home from college for the summer. {happyhappyjoyjoy!} I cannot believe how fast this year has flown. Honestly, didn’t we just pack up the Christmas decorations? And Spring Break…a flash!

As you’ve probably gathered, for the past couple of weeks I’ve been in a bit of a reflective mood. But not in a sad, wistful kind of way. Rather, it’s more like pulling the car over at a scenic overlook to stop, get out, and enjoy the view for a minute. Take it all in.

Obviously, my blog is where I share my thoughts, my feelings, my struggles. But the truth is that it’s not all about me.

Please…I know…This came as a total shock to me too. 

In many ways, Kelsey leaving for college was just as hard on my dear husband even if he didn’t feel so compelled to pour out his heart on the interwebs like his wife.  In the first few weeks after Kelsey was away, Tripp and I maintained our family’s familiar routine and schedule (to say we are routine oriented is the understatement of the millennia). Part of that daily routine included sitting down at the table for dinner and so every night Tripp and I would sit in our usual chairs catch up on the day’s business. After a while though, although neither of us could bring ourselves to say it, both of us missed Kelsey and both of us felt the vacancy of her empty chair.

One night as Tripp got ready to set the table, he asked me, “What would you think about sitting at the bar tonight?” (A very cleverly crafted suggestion knowing what happened the last time he made a big change without consulting me first.) I was having a particularly raw, empty-nesty day, so I just looked at him and said, “Sure. That’d be fine.” So we sat there at the bar, just the two of us. We talked, we ate, I cried. And we did it again the next night (without the crying thank God). And the next night. And then, without really trying to make it our thing, it became our thing. OUR thing. A special thing.

Changing things up at dinner, date nights, and quiet evenings at home by the fire are just a few of the special things that Tripp and I have embraced while Kelsey has been away at school. And it has been wonderful to reconnect like this with my spouse. Quite honestly, our relationship has been a big (HUGE) contributor to my peaceful state of mind. Tripp has been my best friend, confidant, and rock during the past nine months. And with all the changes we’ve experienced this year, our love for each other has been one constant that has brought me an immense amount of comfort. That’s why I know whatever challenges life throws our way, we’ll always be OK.

Just the two of us.

Peace, Kelly