Letters

Dear J,

Why do you lie to me? Haven't we known each other long enough to cut the BS? Just tell me the truth. Own up to your mistakes. Don't make promises you don't intend to keep. Stop creating drama. Your life is dramatic enough. While you're at it, grow up. You are too old to be this dependent on other people. Learn how to manage your money. Figure out how to stand on your own two feet. It's time. I don't have many friends in this world, please stop making it so hard to maintain our friendship. Thanks.

Your friend,
S.


Dear B,

I'm not ready for this deployment. I've been coping by not thinking about it, but it's sneaking up on me whether I'd like it to or not. Another missed Christmas (this will be #4). I normally enjoy the unpredictability of this Army lifestyle, but it is so hard to thrive as a couple when we are apart. I just thought we'd have more time. I thought we've move to OK and get a chance to really settle in somewhere finally. I'm sad and I'm sorry if I mistakenly take that out on you. We can do this, right? I love you.

Love,
S.


Dear friend,

Just reach out and apologize. Please.

S.


Dear Cooper football,

Thanks for another fun season. I wish you had made it deeper into the playoffs, but there's always next year, right? What will I do on Friday nights now?

Love always,
A Faithful Alum


Dear Mom,

Thanks for making the best apple pie in the world. Will you make it again for Christmas?

Love,
Sling


Dear God,

Just get me to Christmas. Thanks.

Love,
Me

Christmas Wish List 2012

I do this every year and didn't want to break the tradition! This list is in no way complete. I threw it together earlier than normal since we're doing Christmas with B's family next weekend (thank you, deployment!). Without further ado...

.1.

The World From the Side of the Moon by Phillip Phillips

.2.

Sleep Perchance to Dream 48" wide wall decal

(in black for our bedroom)

.3.
The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn, Part 1 on blu-ray
(to round out my collection in case, ya know, I ever want to have a Twilight marathon...)

.4.
The Vera tote in Twirly Birds Navy by Vera Bradley
(it's on sale, too!)

.5.
Land's End Fresh Green Wreath
(I think it would look perfect on the front door! I'd need it before Christmas tho...)

.6.
Lego Creator Apple Tree House
(because I put something Lego on every list!)

Love & Marriage

I had a long discussion with my best friend last night about love and marriage. It made me really think about my philosophy on the subject.

Some background: She is divorced with a 4-year-old. She definitely married the wrong man. Her extended family is littered with dysfunctional relationships and bad marriages. I have been married for 5 years with no children. We have gone through marriage counseling and really struggled for a couple years. My extended family is full of long-lasting seemingly happy marriages and families.

She believes in The One and that you have no control over falling in love with them and loving them forever even if they are not good for you. I do not believe there is The One. I think our lives could take a million different paths depending on the choices we make. One different decision on my part and I could be happily (or miserably) married to someone totally different. She believes in the fairy-tale-romance kind of love. She wants to be swept off her feet and have romantic-comedy-worthy moments everyday. She thinks love means less issues, less disagreements. I believe that love is something you choose to maintain everyday and that marriage is hard work. I believe that the choice to get married cannot be taken lightly and that people are too quick to jump to divorce when things get tough. I think the movies/tv/books that I love so much paint an unrealistic picture of what love and marriage truly is.

This really only scratches the surface and I know how lucky I have been in the choices I have made. I am not shy in saying that my decision to get married was not well thought out and was one of the riskiest things I have ever done. I am lucky that we have made it through 5 years. I also know we've worked at it.

That's my two-cents. What's yours?