I wish there was a holiday every weekend. That would make it a lot easier to come up with blog topics. Sunday is Valentine’s Day, so naturally, I’m going to talk about three things I love. Well actually, two people and one thing. But you know what I’m saying.
1. Tiffany
Tiffany, in case you didn’t know, is my wife of the past 10 1/2 years (shoot, almost 11 … this year is flying by!). I figure that since Valentine’s Day is the holiday to celebrate love, I’m going to talk about how we started dating and all that yucky-vomit stuff. We started dating on September 22, 1994 because of a newspaper article — one I saw last night for the first time in years.
I was the sports editor on the college newspaper in 1994 and she was a freshman. Wait, I take that back. She was a hot freshman. I wanted to get to know her better, so I tricked her into taking a women’s volleyball season preview story. She took the bait, and about 10 seconds later, she started worrying about what kind of mess she had gotten herself into. She knew nothing about sports.
Lucky for her, I was there to help. A few days later, I knew when she had scheduled her interview with the coach, and I made sure I was around the newsroom when it was time for her to go down to his office. Sure enough, Tiff freaked and I was there and offered to go with her. I handled the interview for her while she sat there petrified.
Afterwards, we spent a lot of time working on that 300-word story that nobody other than the athletes and their mothers read. I even showed off a little bit by letting her borrow my laptop (not everybody had a laptop back then). We worked up a little bit of a friendship and eventually, the story ran on September 15, 1994. The only reason I know the date is because I actually saw the article last night while she was looking at her old stringbook.
Anyways, on September 21, I worked up the courage to ask her out on a date (after 30 minutes of her teasing me and daring me to and another 15 minutes of me nervously stalling). She said yes, I took her out for dinner the next night, and even though I spilled my salad on my lap and then brushed it on the floor, she was willing to go on a second date. There was a third, then a fourth, and at this point, I’m pretty confident we’ll be together for a long, long time.
I have to run a race in Austin on Sunday morning, but I’ll be home in time to take her out to dinner that night for Valentine’s Day. We have babysitting squared away (big thank you to my mother-in-law!) and we’re going to a simple dinner at Outback. So there, I said I’ll talk about three things I love, and just like with everything else in this world, in this blog Tiff is No. 1 on my list!
2. Jack
It’s Operation Jack, so I might as well have a Jack update, right? Jack continues to amaze us with his progress. Last week, he gave us a hug for the first time ever after calling me and Tiff by name (well, “Mommy” and “Daddy”).
This Monday, Benjamin had some tomato soup waiting for him when Jack came downstairs for dinner. Jack had never eaten soup in his life. But he picked up the spoon, scooped some of the soup, blew it off to cool it down and then ate it! Tiff was floored, as was I when I heard about it. He’s showing progress on almost a daily or weekly basis nowadays and it’s totally amazing.
He had some tomato soup with his dinner again last night, and was having a blast playing along with Benajamin’s new “Deal Or No Deal” Nintendo DS game last night, calling out the numbers of the cases to pick. Words can’t really explain what all his progress is like to us. It’s so cliché to say, but I’m just expecting the unexpected nowadays, and that’s what I’m getting. He still has a long ways to go, but he’s certainly come a long, long ways since I started blogging last summer.
3. Running
I certainly do love to run, which is a good thing, because if I didn’t, it would be a really long year! Well let’s be realistic — it’s going to be a really long year anyways.
This weekend, my marathon is in Austin, Texas. I don’t know a whole lot about the course. I presume I should check out the profile. But I’m not tremendously concerned about it. The weather forecast looks like it’s going to be chilly, in the high 30s or low 40s. That’s easy weather to run in. Shorts, long sleeves (or maybe a sleeveless tank — probably a gametime decision) and gloves.
My legs are feeling pretty fresh and I’m feeling pretty strong. I just don’t feel a lot of spring in my step. I’m not sure how quick I’ll feel since I ran two marathons last weekend, but I’m pretty confident in how I’m running right now. If I had to set an over/under line in Vegas on my finishing time on Sunday, I’d say about 3:11. We’ll see how it goes.
PS: My Dad
It’s his birthday on Sunday … 62! I’m grateful for each birthday he has nowadays, because he’s had cancer twice in the past six years. But thankfully, he’s doing great now. And man is he old!
That’s All He Wrote, Folks
I write my blogs the night before I post them and I fell asleep at my laptop finishing this one up. I think that’s an indicator that I’m done. Have a great weekend, everybody!
Katie Abdolhosseini says
Awww, I love posts like these.
Funny, my husband and I started dating on September 22, 2000! What are the chances!
Good luck this weekend!!
adair renning says
I love reading about Jack’s milestones and I share your joy in each one. It’s just going to keep getting better and better! Good luck in your race this weekend. One of Asia’s team mates, and her running partner for her first marathon, Aaron Pratt, is running it too.
Happy B’day to your dad!! OMG, he’s younger than I am!! My mom’s 85th b’day is Saturday!
Jen Morgan says
I love, LOVE and I love your mooshy post! Have a wonderful Valentines weekend and have a great race!
Ally Phillips says
What amazing and exciting things happening with Jack. I fully believe that all the advances he’s making are attributable to all that you are doing for OperationJack.
Hope you and your lovely wife have a fantastic Valentine’s dinner.
I’ve heard great things about the Austin marathon although I have heard that it’s semi hilly but all downhill after mile 18. Although, Texas hills aren’t really “hilly” in the grand scheme of things. At least the race is in Austin and not Dallas where we’re currently under 11 inches of snow!
Good luck in Austin! I know you’ll do great!
Colleen Lasko says
Very sweet post! (my daughters b-day is also sept 22!) I’m so happy for all the improvments Jack has been making too! You’re doing a great job and he’s being blessed because of it!
Melissa G says
Another blog with wonderful news! Are you working on that novel yet?
Tiffany Felsenfeld says
Funny, I didn’t know you hung out in the classroom just to accompany me to the interview….you sneaky one, you! Love you!