These Things I Promise You

A year ago, Scott and I said this to each other... in front of about 50 of our friends and family members...

From this day forward I promise you these things.
I will laugh with you in times of joy and comfort you in times of sorrow.
I will share in your dreams, and support you as you strive to achieve your
goals.
I will listen to you with compassion and understanding,
and speak to you with encouragement.
I will help you when you need it, and step aside when you don't.
I will remain faithful to you for better or worse, in times of sickness and health.
You are my best friend and I will love and respect you always.

It's interesting to look back a year later and wonder if you've followed through on your promises. Scott and I talked about it and decided that we did a great job together this past year! There may have been some doubters out there... considering the circumstances around our rushed wedding (hurry up and get hitched before her belly is too big and she can't fit into her dress!)... so we only had about 6 months together alone as a married couple before Moana entered the picture and anyone who's ever been pregnant can imagine some of the emotional over-reactions I had in those months! But the good news is that Scott is one of the most loving and patient and understanding men on the planet and he's in it for the long haul, so he put up with me and my hormones just fine.

It was really nice of one of our friends to volunteer to come over last night and put Moana to bed for us so we could go out to dinner alone. Time without the baby to reconnect with your husband is pretty important and it was good for us to be able to talk about our long term goals and all that. We threw around the idea of moving to the mainland at some point, but don't get too excited about that, mom, because neither of us could actually imagine leaving here in the next 5 years. And considering how much I shivered and complained of being cold while we were walking home in the 70 degree night, it's probably best for everyone if we just stay here. Who am I kidding? I can't live on the mainland.

And besides, I think it's so cool that Moana gets to grow up here. Yesterday, we took her up to da north shore where she got her first surfing lesson from her dad. She's learning the advanced 'Toes on da nose' technique right off the bat.

Or maybe a baby should just sit and play with her toes.