.

Schmilly and I waxed marvelous over dinner this evening

discussing the differences between our two

Hawaiian vacations thus far as a couple.

During the first trip to Kauai, Anthony had just lost his job

and we were a newly married pair

lost in a vanilla-chocolate swirl of 'for worse' and tremendous support

from friends and loved ones.

During this trip, we are post-three-year-anniversary

and pre-baby.

Anthony has just been a part of the production of

a very popular video game that is doing well for itself.

The contrasts are stark

both situations rich with beauty and potential for growth,

both very important times in the lifespan of lovers...

but the ways in which we know each other

have grown many

and the tenderness that knowledge has engendered

is deep and wide

We've navigated life together these last 6 years

from dating

falling madly and quickly

moving in

hitching our wagons

and creating new life.

I thanked him a lot on this trip

and I told him that if we were single

and had gone on this trip as strangers in a group that traveled together

dined and hotel-ed together

perhaps as friends of friends

or coworkers

I would want him to ask me out;

I've found him witty, tender, chivalrous and handsome

And I would have carried a flame for him

Had a crush on him

Wanted to feel the weight of his hand on mine...

That's a nice feeling,

realizing how much you like the one you love

How you would choose them again and again

If life would be kind enough

To just introduce you.

xo,

A