Tuesday, January 31, 2012

I Normally Don't Do This...

... But I had to make an exception after what I came home to today.

Let me explain. Lately I've been noticing all of the very romantic shout-outs to significant others. While an occasional expression of love is nice and sometimes completely warranted, it does tend to go a little overboard. Between facebook and blogs I get to read about lots of bouquets of flowers, perfect dates, candlelit homemade dinners... blah, blah, blah. Don't get me wrong, I love love. I guess I just love love that's understated on the internet. And I've tried really hard not to be one of those bloggers.

If you share this same frustration, please stop reading now. We will return to our regular programming on our next blog posting.

That being said, let me tell you about what I came home to tonight.

Our place was clean (obviously the first thing I notice). The unruly trash can was taken care of, laundry done, kitchen clean... and not just clean but cooking some food, too! Chicken quesadillas. Then I look at the table and see these...



Two lemons reading "Rise Above est. 2007". This is a reference few will understand. Before we were married Dan came over to my apartment one afternoon and gave an impromptu motivational talk to me and my roommates. It became infamously dubbed "The Rise Above Speech". It was a really funny pep talk that had us all laughing... and also actually had us really excited about life (He has a way of doing that). He talked about making lemonade out of lemons and how great it was to be in school and how we have to "rise above" the dreary parts of school, winter, etc...

I actually found a picture from five years ago on a road trip we all took to California. Dan is holding the original lemon that he used for the speech. Ha!



So I guess Dan looked back at journals and found that the rise above speech happened to be on January 31, 2007. Exactly five years ago today.

Seriously cute.

Then, I found a card. A thank you card. Here's part of it:
"When I first gave the rise above speech 5 years ago, I never imagined that you would be the one who would literally help me rise above my greatest challenge yet. Thanks for being by my side and helping me rise above cancer. I couldn't have done it without you."

Oh... my... gosh.
Now do you see why I had to make an exception to my mushy rule?

He's the best.

8 comments:

Rachel said...

Seriously, so cute! You guys should probably move to Sacramento so we can hang out more :)

Katie said...

Too cute. And not too mushy. . . perfectly understated internet love.

Kandice Morrison said...

I love it! and it has such a great message too. you guys are truly insperational and I love reading your blog.

Kandice

Shopkins said...

I was seriously thinking about that speech the other day!! I loved it so much and will never forget it! RISE ABOVE! :) Thank you, Dan!! You are the man. Miss you guys!

Unknown said...

I love love!

Chas Hathaway said...

Nothing wrong with a little mush once in a while! After all, isn't that basically all ice cream is? :D
Thanks for being such a good example to the rest of us. Sometimes it takes little things like this to remind us that life really is awesome.

Jess said...

Just wanted to say HI and thanks for sharing your story, truly inspirational...

Wishing you nothing but health and happiness in the future!

Fellow GBHS grad. 1999

Jess

Kasaundra said...

and now I'm teary eyed. That's adorable!!!