Dear Significant Other,

How are you? Nothing new or exciting to report. In fact, there are dishes still in the sink and dirty laundry waiting by the washer. The day did start out with good intention- kids dressed and fed, (their) beds made, and the commencement of the first day of preschool downstairs. I even swept and picked everything up before leaving a newly enlightened Kira (weather was the topic of the day) to her good friend Marry Poppins and taking a tired youngster to her bed for a nap. Things slowed to a halt after that. The computer and the lack of desire to go down and start laundry yet again distracted me. Then I was thinking that I hadn’t posted anything lately and you’re so good about checking out the blog to see what new things I decide to share with the online world. I went through recent events in my mind and thought about yesterday. You know, I never did thank you for letting me go shopping alone. No little hands pulling down boxes when I go over the invisible line of demarcation down the aisle or little bodies deciding not to stay where I put them and instead experiment with new (and dangerous) ways to ride in a shopping cart. And then, I totally forgot to show my appreciation for all the box-moving, furniture-pushing, and floor-mopping involved with reorganizing the basement so that we now have a large, clean, inconspicuous area for our kids to mess play and learn. Nor did I express full gratitude to be away from the kitchen for a while and not concern myself with making dinner. In fact, your suggestion to treat myself to a dinner from Olive Garden was just what I needed last night. Thanks to you, I have a new love of eggplant parmesan. This is getting a little lengthy and I know that you have things like studying, driving, doctoring, serving, and sleeping to do. I just wanted to express my appreciation for the little things you do that I tend to overlook because of all the daily casualties and stresses that cloud my vision. I could go on and on now that some of the vapor has cleared and I am thinking of the little car repairs I don’t have to worry about; the good sport you are when I want to play new games; the running and wrestling and dancing and all energy-exerting things that you do with the girls so I can take a break, etc. Sometimes difficulties, self-interests, trials and all things negative creep into life and make it tough. It’s all a part of life, I guess. Nevertheless, no matter what, I’m glad I don’t have to do it alone. Thanks for bringing your good-looking self home every evening, excited to see us, willing to eat whatever I do or don’t slave over for dinner, filling us in on your day so that we feel a part of your life, and always making what’s going on here a priority in yours. Please drive home safely; no need to excite us with more driving “adventures” in downtown Detroit, though I’m sure you’ve had enough excitement with that yourself. Can’t wait to see you.

Yours, truly and sincerely, for always and always,

Me