Keeping It Hardcore

In keeping with our marriage motto and our ultra hardcore personalities, Kyle and I got tattoos today to celebrate our 7th wedding anniversary (just two weeks away). We’ve talked about getting a tattoo together for years but could never fully commit to one idea. If you’ve read this part of our love story, you know where the saying ‘no doubts.’ comes from and why it’s so significant in my relationship with Kyle. We literally say it probably 10 times a day. In the morning, when we leave for work. In the middle of the day, when we talk on the phone. At night, before we fall asleep. Any time we’re leaving one another. Sometimes we get silly and say it when someone is just taking the dog out for a walk or going to take a shower. It’s pretty gross to be around us, honestly. So when we started talking seriously about getting a tattoo for our anniversary, it seemed obvious that this is what we’d get. The punctuation was really important to me. Kyle wanted an exclamation point (!!!) but I put a kabosh on that because no. See? A period says it all. But I let him choose his own font because I am a non-control freak like that. …..

I guess I’m stuck with the dude now. This is Kyle’s fourth time getting inked (inked. that’s how I talk because I am, as I have already mentioned, extremely hardcore.) but my first.

Outside: I acted pretty tough. No big deal. I get tattoos all the time. Oh, this little needle in my neck? Whatevs. Want to get some lunch after this?

Inside: OMG OMG OMG. ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. OW. OWWWWW…thisisromanticthisisromanticthisisromanticthisisromantic…I’m 25 years old but I’m pretty sure my mom is going to kill me…I love Kyle I love Kyle I love Kyle…owwwwwwwwwwwwww…

I think all of this is entirely in keeping with who we want to be as a couple – people that have adventures and do scary things together. Bonus: I can cross something off my bucket list for 2013.

Are you a tattoo-type person? Would you ever get a tattoo with another person?

love, elizabeth

Marriage is a Privilege

This is Kyle. I like smooching him. As you can already tell, this is going to be a really deep post. I like smooching Kyle. I just generally like Kyle. Except some times. When he makes me crazy.



Last weekend, we got to see a couple of our friends get married here in Ohio. It was a wonderful reminder of love and the privilege of marriage. Except for the part where Kyle and I bickered the entire drive between ceremony and reception.

“Kyle…the speed limit is 65.”
“Just let me drive!!”
“Seriously, slow down. You’re gonna get pulled over.”
“Will you stop nagging me? Ugh, why is this jacket so hot and itchy?”
“Stop messing with it, you look good!”

And then Kyle kept ruining pictures by putting balloon strings…in his mouth (???) Marriage is a privilege, marriage is a privilege…I repeat to myself as Kyle tries to ditch his suit jacket for the sixth time after leaving the church.



We stopped fighting long enough to take this picture and to dance to House of Pain during the reception. Marriage is a privilege.



It’s taken eight years but he finally has given in and let me dress him in grown-up clothes. Shirts with collars and belts that match his shoes. Shirts with yellow accents that complement my cardigan. Shirts that don’t have pictures of dogs farting on them or band names on the back. Marriage is a privilege, marriage is a privilege…he must repeat to himself as I force him to tuck his shirt in. Again.



Can anyone relate?
love, elizabeth

The Valentine

Instead of Christmas cards, Kyle and I decided to send out Valentines to everyone this year. And because we majored in theatre and I like to be silly, we did a little film noir-style photo shoot. I had so much looking up old movie posters to imitate. Here are a few of my favorite shots.

 

We chose the second one to mail out to our family and friends.

I hope we can make this a new February tradition. It was really fun to put together.

Whether you’re single, attached, or anything in between, Happy Valentine’s Day! We love you!

elizabeth and kyle

almost home, always home

Someday we’ll laugh about this. I wish today was that day. Yesterday we signed our lease. Yesterday we moved the first boxes into our new apartment. Yesterday I remembered why we have always said that love is an adventure.

This apartment might end up being a big mistake. It took ten hours to get our keys. And when we finally did, there were real problems with the place. The refrigerator light is burned out. We need a new smoke detector. The bedroom doors haven’t been put back on their hinges and so does the hardware in the bathtub. The linen closet is missing a door handle. The window blinds haven’t been hung. The water is still shut off. Oh, and I may or may not have seen MICE TURDS under the kitchen sink. At 8:30 last night, things were feeling a little bleak. We were scrubbing the kitchen cabinets when we both suddenly stopped and looked at each other. It was one of those looks that said a million things. Things like, I love you. I’m scared. I love you. Why did we sign that lease? I love you. I’m so tired. I love you. What are we doing? I love you. Your butt looks great in those jeans (okay, maybe only I was thinking that). Maybe the thing that look mostly said was, You’re home. Not here or in the other place but with me. You’re home.

I had been feeling the anxiety bubbling up inside of me all day but somehow that look made everything seem a little softer, a little easier, just for a few moments.

Then we took pictures because who wouldn’t want to remember a night like that?

More moving updates and pictures to come!

almost home, always home,

elizabeth

The Argument I Had With My Husband

So remember how in the last post I was whining about how we can’t find an apartment in which to reside anywhere in all of Columbus, Ohio? We found an apartment. Barring calamity, we will have shelter from the winter winds and also off-street parking.

And this is where the differences between me and my sweet, witty, and shockingly handsome husband become more apparent. (Speaking of which…Kyle, have I told you today that you are sweet and witty and shockingly handsome?)

Here’s how the conversation went:

Elizabeth: “I totally want to rent this apartment. I think it could be a whole new adventure!”

Kyle: “See, I feel like you have a really weird definition of ‘adventure.’ When I think ‘adventure,’ I think, ‘skydiving,’ ‘bunjee-jumping,’ ‘extreme sports…’ When you think of ‘adventure,’ you think of rundown old apartments in creepy neighborhoods

Elizabeth: It’s not creepy! It was built in the 1950’s! It looks like where the heroine in a Nora Ephron movie would live! It’s quirky and vintage!

Kyle: You mean, ‘old and decrepit.’

This is the point in the blog post where I say it. Men.

Sweet, Witty, and Shockingly Handsome redeemed himself by following that last comment up with: “I can live anywhere as long as I’m there with you. I just want you to be happy.” That’s the answer I was hoping for.



Anyway, we’re feeling hopeful about this place. I’ll let you know when we know for sure!

love, elizabeth

Christmas at Mirror Lake

Kyle and I have been busy crossing things off our Christmas bucket list and last night, we managed to sneak away with some hot chocolate and the camera to one of my favorite spots on the university campus, Mirror Lake. I love this place year-round but during the holidays, they light up the trees all around the water’s edge.  I’m so glad we did this. It was one of the things on the list that didn’t cost a thing and it was so peaceful and sweet to be just the two of us there in the dark and the cold. It will probably be my stand-out memory from this Christmas with Kyle.

 

As we head into the holiday, I hope you’re getting lots of quality time with the people you love.

love, love, love,

elizabeth

“Build magical gingerbread forest.” Check.

I gotta say that I am super proud that Kyle and I are actually doing stuff on our Christmas bucket list. I was really afraid I would totally fail at making a list of goals and then, you know, DOING THOSE THINGS (I mean, have you checked out my bucket list for this year? It’s not going so great.)

I was really taken by the December issue of Better Homes & Gardens (which I talk about on this blog so much, they should seriously start paying me). They had instructions for a gingerbread forest that were so inspiring that, despite my appalling baking skills, I actually went out and bought things like “meringue powder” and “molasses” and “eggs.” Okay, maybe I already had eggs. I took an absurd amount of pictures of this entire process from the mixing of ingredients to the rolling of dough and the baking and the cooling and the frosting. If you find this as fascinating as I did, you can check out my Instagram for a riveting play-by-play. You’re welcome, internet.

One of the best things about being married to Kyle (and there are a lot of best things) is his wonderful ability to play with me. He has zero qualms about becoming a kid again and that’s good news because he’s married to a super uptight crazy person who needs someone to balance her out.

This is obviously a very well-maintained magical gingerbread forest because they have licorice park benches where the Sour Patch Kids like to hang out and smoke gummy bears.

Or do magical licorice and snowcap mushrooms.

This is Francis. He is the love-child of Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. He has a LOT of medical problems.

Behold, the forest. I have to point out that the cobblestone pathway is constructed entirely out of gum and gingerbread bricks with frosting grout. It was the most fun thing to make.

My magazine inspiration. I have no idea how they made their tree seams so un-seam-like. But I seriously love, love, love B&G. Love.

Are you a gingerbread-making type person? Have you made any this year?

love, elizabeth

A Yam-Sham.

It’s Thanksgiving night and I imagine many of you are away from your computers and with good reason!

Kyle and I have spent the whole day together, just the two of us. That’s my favorite part about Thanksgiving – the two of us and the puppy snuggled up in our apartment every year, cooking and watching movies and making up holiday-themed dance routines in the kitchen and wrestling the giblets from the still-partially frozen turkey and arguing over whether Scrooged or White Christmas is the better Christmas movie.



It’s been a great day but you know what really clinched it for me? Finally sitting down at our tiny kitchen table and listening to Kyle talk about growing up in Steamboat Springs, watching his eyes close as he describes the layout of his childhood home on 7th Street, watching him smile as he explained how he and his little brother Aaron would help decorate for Christmas. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his face and I just kept thinking, “There is still so much I want to know about you. There is still so much to find out.”

On our eighth Thanksgiving, I keep imagining the next year and the next and the next. I have no idea what they will look like. Will they be like this one? Will there be a tiny new person soon? Will there be another house, another home? Another job? Another city? The future seems like an impossible, overwhelming unknown.

And then I hear Kyle’s prayer over dinner echoing in my ears: “Thank you for Elizabeth, thank you, God, for being the one who holds us together after all this time. We know that’s because of you. In Your name, Amen.”

Happy Thanksgiving…

love, elizabeth

On his 27th birthday

I just want him to know that I am so proud of him. I’m proud of his kindness and his sense of humor, of his gentleness, his self-deprecating manner and deep humility. Mostly, I’m proud that he’s mine.

Happy birthday to the sexiest, funniest, sweetest guy a girl could ever marry.

love, elizabeth

Girl Confessions!

Time for another post on all things pop culture or otherwise too silly to get their own post. Sooo much to talk about today…

1. Lady-bachelorhood. Kyle’s flying back west for a few days to see our family in Colorado. Cons: I have to walk the dog by myself in the cold, almost-November weather. Half the bed will be totally empty. There will be no one to insist that I come to bed at 3 am when I’m still studying. Who will watch scary movies with me so that I can pretend they’re funny and not scary? Pros: I can listen to whatever terrible 90’s dance pop I feel like without any background sighs/snorts/derisive laughter from el-husbando. Like this. Or this. Zero guilt if I eat string cheese and Wheat-Thins for dinner every night.

2. I hate myself for claiming romantic feelings for inanimate objects when I have a perfectly good husband for that but…I’m having romantic feelings for these boots.

I can’t help it. I’ve been saving the gift card from my birthday (thank you, Mama!) for the arrival of adorable snow boots…and here they are. And they’re 60% off. I’m so glad this love will not go unrequited. I’ll let you know when they arrive. Be forewarned, Ohio winter. I come shod in cuteness.

3a. Omg, can we PLEASE talk about Nashville? Please tell me I am not the only person who is obsessed with this show! So gooooooooooood…I came for the Connie Britton (Friday Night Lights), I stayed for the soapy plot points, the original songs, and for Maisy and Lennon Stella. If you don’t have cable, do not fear. The Nashville is available on the Hulu. And no one even paid me to say that.

3b. So let’s talk about Maisy and Lennon and why they’re the best thing ever. First of all, watch their adorable covers of I Won’t Give Up and Call Your Girlfriend. I would love them at any age but it’s amazing to me that they’re only 12 and 8. Here’s a clip of the sisters on Nashville. I dare you to not be utterly charmed.

4. This new obsession with horror movie franchises. Guys…it turns out that I love cheesy slasher films.Trust me, I’m just as surprised as you are. Now that I’m almost done reviewing all 10 of the Halloween films, I’m plotting my next series. On my hit list: Friday the 13th (there are 12 of these movies…so I guess this is going to be a long-term commitment), Nightmare on Elm Street, Child’s Play, Children of the Corn, and Leprechaun (I am particularly looking forward to Leprechaun 4: In Space). Did I miss any big horror franchise that you’d like to see recapped?

5. My newsprint copy of the LUSH catalogue just arrived, triggering some kind of Pavlovian Christmas response inside of me. If you didn’t know, I wrap everything I give in LUSH newsprint. I’m sure that’s not why they send me the catalogue but…yeah. Get your free copy here.

love, elizabeth

October-ly

It’s almost the end of October. How did that happen so fast?? But not so fast, winter!! I have another few weeks before I have to actually remember that you exist. Right? I do, right? My exams are now just 3 weeks away. I’m starting to look forward to it a little bit. Kyle’s heading to Colorado this weekend to visit his family since we won’t be able to spend the holidays with them. I’m going to miss him but I’m also a teensy bit excited to be a lady bachelor for a few nights. I’m expecting it to be heavy on the cheap wine and N’SYNC solo-dance party.

love, elizabeth

Days of fall fly faster

The fall colors have been incredible in Ohio this year and so Kyle and I snuck away to eat lunch at the park and play in the leaves. I’m really glad I didn’t forget my camera because the light was so great.

I needed a little bit of sunshine this week. ESPECIALLY because…according to the forecaster…we may be seeing our first SNOW next weekend. I don’t know if I’m ready for that.

Madigan was such a funny fuzzball the whole time we were there and I took so many pictures of her that I’m going to give her her own post.

Are you getting to spend any time out of doors before the real cold hits?

love, elizabeth

The best and worst thing about being married

 

There is nothing like a late-night phone call to remind you that life is fragile, time is short, and no one but God knows the future.

The other night, in the middle of a small family crisis, I was reminded of that thing that is so hard to explain about marriage. Sitting on the floor next to Kyle as he made frantic phone calls to various family members, watching his forehead wrinkle in worry, his calloused fingers pinching the bridge of his nose, his mouth pursed in a hard line, I thought, “This is what is so hard about being married. You aren’t just sharing a house, a bank account, a last name…you’re taking on every fear, every crisis, every unknown as if it was yours at birth.” There’s something frightening about that and comforting, too.

“I’m scared,” I whispered in Kyle’s ear.

He nodded.

I squeezed his hand. “I’m here,” I said. “I’ll be here no matter what, okay?”

“Yeah,” he said.

Somehow marriage doubles our fears and halves them at the same time.

A couple weeks ago, Kyle took me to dinner and I poured out my stresses on him. “I’m worried about this exam,” I told him. “I have so much to read and it feels like the time is slipping away and I’m not doing enough.”

“Just remember you’re not all alone,” he said. “I’m right here.”

Every joy is doubled; every pain is, too. And still, it makes me feel braver as we sit here on the floor by the couch, our shoulders and heads bent towards each other, waiting to hear good news, or bad news, or any news, at all. The best part and the worst part about being married is sitting here, holding your hand in the dark.

love, elizabeth

oh, look. a blogger talking about picking apples…your mind is blown, I’m sure.

Saturday was one of those perfect days. We got to sleep in and when we woke up, without the aid of an alarm clock, there was an adorable ball of fuzz peeking out from under the covers. At Caribou, the barista put exactly the right amount of syrup in my pumpkin latte. The car radio played three good songs in a row and it was a perfect 68-70 degrees all day. The whole drive to Pataskala, we held hands and told jokes and ranted about the election and smiled at each other and it was a perfect day.

This is our fourth autumn in Ohio and, hands down, our favorite thing about Midwest autumns is apple-picking at Lynd’s Fruit Farm. You may remember the apple juggling from last year?

Awww, that smile…oh-em-gee, you guys…so in love with him.

Are those not the most beautiful vegetables you have ever SEEN? We even found cheese cauliflower, which is deceptively NOT cheesy but just cheese-colored.

So now that I have gloated in my perfect autumn bliss, tell me what you’re doing to celebrate October where you live!

love, elizabeth