No Soliciting!

Okay, I'm a nice person. I am. But nap time is sacred. And solicitors are a pet peeve (I know, they're all just trying to earn money, but still).

So I've got this handmade sign at my door that reads: "I'm not buying; I'm not signing. You can't sway my vote or my religion. And HEAVEN HELP YOU if you wake me or my baby from a nap. Seriously, NO SOLICITING! (Exceptions: Girl Scout cookies and LDS Missionaries.) - That covers most everything, right?

Now, I have a good view of the front porch from my computer, and I often watch solicitors approach my door, read the sign and walk away (or for better entertainment, read, start to walk away, turn around, read again, then walk away a bit faster). I think the capital letters really get my point across.

But today.... Today I watched two men, obviously not starving college students, walk up to my door, read my sign, *during nap time!*, and "knock,knock,knock,knock!"

I sat a while and debated whether to open the door. They began to walk away, and I thought, "Oh no. Not during nap time. Not today. Today I am feeling FEISTY!" And no one messes with a feisty Hannah.

So I opened my door, caught them on the bottom porch step, and said, "Excuse me!" They turned around. "Did you read the sign?"

Open mouth and hesitation. "Uh yeah... Well... We were just at your neighbor's house and they have the exact same roof and we're doing pricing..."

I cut them off, point to the sign, and say with a smile, "Not buying."

Open mouths again. "Okay, but we'll be back tomorrow and..."

I cut them off again and point at the house, smile really big, "Baby's napping! Did you read the sign?"

This time hands are in the air and defensive positions are taken, whispered words, "Okay, sorry. Have a nice day."

I smile and wave them off.

Yep. Those capital letters really get my point across. I didn't have to yell. Didn't have to get all mean. I just smiled and repeated a couple phrases from the sign. Feisty Hannah is still nice - they just knew that "HEAVEN HELP YOU!" was standing behind my pretty smiles.

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The Refiner's Fire Is Real

 May I learn to see my life's challenges as part of refinement. And may I learn to apply refined qualities in a manner such as this.

God has been schooling me (in different areas) to know how to comfort, to know "how to do it because I've been through it."

May I also bear my own testimony that the deeper the sorrow and the longer you spend in the valley of death, the greater your capacity to experience joy and savor the sweetness of life!

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Gems of Love

Last week I was blessed to attend bridal showers and receptions for three separate weddings, all for people I greatly admire. Amidst it all, I was reminded of a line from "Eat. Pray. Love." which I will misquote here: "The funny thing about weddings is that you always end up thinking about your own." It was only too true.

Part of it may be that once upon a time two of these wonderful young women were students of mine and seeing them married was a big reality check to how much time has passed. Most of it is probably that I am approaching my own tenth wedding anniversary this summer. Time has this funny way of seeming simultaneously too short and too long. As in, "I can't have been married for ten years - I'd have to be older for that!" and at the same time, "Has it only been ten years? We've been through so much and know each other so well it may as well have been thirty."

So as I reminisced about my own wedding, I pulled down my photo album and spent some nostalgic time enjoying the pictures. We had a team of two photographers - a married couple - and while one took all the posed shots, the other moved around and outside us snapping candid shots. I love all our pictures, but I've come to appreciate the candid shots so much over the years because they captured genuine, unexpected emotions.

As I looked at the pictures, I thought about what I knew about love ten years ago and what I know about it now. At bridal showers and receptions they often ask for marriage advice. So I've decided to dispense some of my meager advice about love. They say a picture is worth a thousand words, so consider this advice very, very lengthy. 

And - Happy encroaching 10th Anniversary to my wonderful husband and myself.

 

This was us - ten years ago.
They say love is blind. That may be why each of us see these and say, "Oh, I've gotten old!" and Anthony sweetly says, "No - you look
pretty much the same."

Love must be blind.

Love is when you walk in tandem - without realizing it.

 

It's in the look I fell in love with - and still do.

It's in the look he fell in love with - and still does.

  Love is in the details. Life is in the details.

 

Love works when you laugh at his jokes.

Love is an adventure.

Love is in the look I have for him

when no one is watching.

Love is in the look he has for me

when no one is watching.

Love is when the pieces just seem to fit.

 

  Love is when I don't have to worry 
about climbing a grassy hill in ridiculous heels 
because I know he's got me.

Love is when you look at your groom
and your only thought is,
"When can we get outta here?"

Then you do the whole reception all over
a week later, don't try so hard,
realize you've forgotten half your wardrobe,
and end up looking 14 years old.
(Okay, that's not love. That's just funny.)

Sometimes love means letting go.

And sometimes love means holding on.

Love is learning in your first dance as a couple
that it's not just about you anymore -
it's about a whole new family to love.
 

Some memories get a little fuzzy with time,
but you learn all that's important to remember
is that there was love.

Love begins...

 

and in its beauty and magic and power...

it grows...

 

and expands...

and stretches on...

 

for eternity.

 

It has been a wild, wonderful decade. 

Thanks for sharing these amazing ten years with me, husband. 

I look forward to learning gems about love with you forever and ever.

 Leave your thoughts and comments please!