Loves Surprises

Have you ever had one of those days where something sneaks up on you from out of the blue and gives you a right cross upside the head followed by a left jab between the eyes. That sort of thing has happened to me more times then I care to remember, and usually the underling reason is never anything good.

Well, a couple of nights ago I got blindsided by the Old Salt and it sure felt as if I had been given one of Cassius Clay’s (sorry, he will always be Cassius Clay in my mind) best knockout punches. The slap in the face had me crying like a toddler who dropped their ice cream cone in the sandbox; and, all because he did something very sweet, loving and unexpected for me.

What with moving and all the related work trying to get one house on the market and the other in a fit state for entertaining family for our usual Christmas Eve celebration. The Old Salt and I did not have time for all of the little holiday traditions that I so much enjoy. During a conversation earlier this month, I happen to mention, I never wanted to move again; and certainly not at holiday time, because I felt cheated out of my own sense of enjoyment of the season.

We both enjoy watching movies and have established a routine of using the long cold winter nights (and a steady stream of Netflix movies) to catch up on all those great flicks we missed in the theater over the years. The Old Salt is the one who usually keeps the movies queued for shipment but I will on occasion go toss in a surprise or three on him.

I have gotten to the point where I don’t bother to even ask what the selections are, until the disc is placed in the player, and not always even then. So I am the one getting the surprise most nights.

Now, back to the reason for my post. The other night I settled in for our nightly movie and was surprised when a Christmas comedy came on the screen quickly followed by the dimming of lights and holiday appropriate snacks and lighting.

I turned to the Old Salt and ask what was going on. His reply “just making up for one of those missed holiday traditions this year.” Well, I started to blubber like a baby.

I have spent 40 years of my life married, and until I married the Old Salt I was never treated to such consideration and so many expressions of love.

Isn’t it amazing how once in a while right in the middle of and ordinary life you get blindsided when love gives us a fairytale.

Frank, you are the best, and I love your great surprises. Honey, I love you too.