Have you ever had a moment when it all just comes together for you? Not like the answer to the universe or enlightenment (sorry, that takes a lot more effort) but you've suddenly become aware of this pattern in the goings-on in your lfie like that mysterious universe is, at least, trying to get your attention. Suddenly, you're paying attention and it all seems so crystal clear. One of the themes going on in my life is this exposure to all these young people (said in the motherly sort of tone :) ). In reality, this probably wouldn't have happened to me if I hadn't started a new job since the majority of all the 20-Somethings I talk to I know in some way shape or form through work. I can't tell you the number of times when I had a child screaming or just hadn't slept more than an hour in 363 days (no lie.. just read my early archives) and I thought about those glory days of being 20-Something. I think I forgot about some of the pretty amazing experiences I had back then and how I got to right here, right now and the value of the struggle to get there/here.

With these thoughts I came home tonight. I made The Husband Lemony Risotto with Garlic Shrimp and a Spinach/Dried Cranberries salad in a Balsamic Vinagrette. I love to cook! We had a nice glass of wine, we told the kids for the first time ever that we were gonna eat at the table by ourselves and we weren't available for stories or anything until we were done. We had to remind The Daughter of this twice but we did it with conviction and purpose and it was nice. We had this nice conversation about things we've maybe spent too much time glossing over in the recent past. When we have conversations like this it is like just the perfect picture... the one we all strive for, that peaceful, beautiful, blissful union of marriage.

During dishes, while The Husband did baths and read stories, reflecting on the sense of peace I noticed another stream happening in my life lately. In about 5 conversations of late, people have told me how "calm" I am. At first I thought "Geez been doing a good job of wearing that face, eh?" but then I realize I really do feel calm. Like even at my harriest, craziest, I feel this immense deep sense of peacefulness in the background, in the core. That's yoga.

With all this bliss roaming around in my spirit this evening, I took a nice hot bath and The Husband and I met to celebrate Valentine's Day the way we might have pre-2-children (sometimes those holidays, darnit, they just get away from you... if you aren't a parent, you simply don't understand).

It was with immense peace then that, uhum, I can't believe I'm gonna say this on my blog but here's my effort at not censoring myself as I mentioned on V's blog. So, it was with immense peace then that when we were just right there we suddenly slammed our heads into each other. I laughed so hysterically I could barely breathe and The Husband was laughing over the bruise I likely gave him on his eye socket. It was so classic, it was perfect... seriously perfect (said with all seriousness, not sarcasm).