Earlier this week, just after we put both boys to bed, my husband and I sat down on the couch together, as we usually do, ready to put our feet up and catch up on both our days and the DVR.
Minutes passed and we both looked at each other, expressing our desire for something chocolate. Immediately, I offered up yellow cake with homemade chocolate buttercream icing which, although a major win in my book, was immediately shot down. I was obviously going for quick and easy which wasn't even registering on my husband's wish list. He suggested we whip up a batch of homemade chocolate chip cookies and while delicious, the recipe is a bit labor intensive. Especially at nine o' clock at night.
The thought of warm, gooey, melty chocolate soon won over as we wandered into the kitchen together to start baking.
As I watched my husband move through the kitchen, stepping between me and the counter top, reaching for dry ingredients, slyly pinching my butt in between carefully measured out cups of flour, I had to stop and remind myself to remember this moment.
The way his plaid pajamas pants hung on his hips. His freshly cut hair. Have I told him lately how hot his arms look? It was one of many qualities that first endeared him to me ten years ago. He's been waking up early a few mornings a week now to go to the gym and I've always loved how muscular his arms are, especially now that they hug our two sweet babies each night.
The faintly red stubble on his cheeks. How he looks so comfortable and relaxed for the first time all day.
With two kids it's difficult to find time for ourselves as individuals but it can be even more difficult to find time for each other. As much as we try to coordinate a date night here and there, it's never as often as we would like and when we do fall onto the couch or into bed together at the end of our day, we're typically both so exhausted that we mumble through conversations. I hate to admit it but most nights my husband wanders up to bed by himself as I sit down to the computer to catch up on some writing.
It had been a long time since we had moved among each other in the kitchen like that.
We make such a great team, he and I. Whether we're cooking, building, parenting. Having grown up under different parenting styles, we both bring interesting attributes to the table. Sometimes this drives each of us absolutely crazy but for the most part we balance the other out perfectly.
We make such a great team, he and I. Whether we're cooking, building, parenting. Having grown up under different parenting styles, we both bring interesting attributes to the table. Sometimes this drives each of us absolutely crazy but for the most part we balance the other out perfectly.
Between late nights at work, busy days mothering and keeping house, rushing through dinner, baths and bedtime, it's easy to lose sight of these things.
I'm so glad we decided to bake those cookies that night. It ended up being more than just cookies for me. It reminded me how incredible my husband is. How thankful I am that we get to walk beside each other in this life and raise our two beautiful boys.
<3 Sometimes it's nice to be reminded of the little things :)
ReplyDeleteso sweet. It's always the little, unexpected moments that bring the most joy. Next time you want to do some 9pm baking, head to my house, pulease :)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this post. Sometimes its so hard not to get caught up in the children in our house and we forget about the two that came first. I know I do :( such a cute story :)
ReplyDeleteSweet sweet sweet! I love this Ashley! Love it! I'm sure he feels the same way about having that moment with you!
ReplyDeleteLove this! Glad you guys had some special time together!
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet post! Husbands so often get overlooked!
ReplyDeleteOh hai, thanks for making me emotional at 9:22 am. Jerk. Haha. Just kidding, this is so sweet. I want this.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post! As new parents to a 5-month old little girl, my husband and I are currently going through the motions you noted above... we get home from work, I fix dinner, we feed the baby, give her a bath, read a bedtime story and give her a bottle, and put her to sleep at 8:00... then we both crash on the couch and watch re-runs of The Office on Netflix and an hour later, walk like zombies into the bedroom to pass out. Thanks for giving me hope that this parenting thing really CAN be romantic still ;)
ReplyDeleteIMO, impromptu moments like this are always the most special!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a great date night actually. I really enjoy it when my husband and I get a chance to cook together in the kitchen which is rare.
ReplyDeletethis post makes me want to run and hug my hubby ;) i love moments like that when you just look over at this guy who's become a partner in the battle that is life and you remember that you chose him to be by your side for a reason....helps when he's cute ;)
ReplyDeleteLoved when I saw the cookies on IG...I immediatley thought, "how romantic is this?!"
ReplyDeleteLove this!!! I can definitely see how easy it is to just be in a routine--you captured your moment so beautifully!! I love hearing how in love parents still are with one another. I hope he knows how awesome that was for you!!
ReplyDeleteSo sweet. This was so great and I was picturing myself standing in my kitchen with my honey. Sometimes I love just walking straight up to him and folding myself into him!
ReplyDeleteSuch a sweet post. It's so important to make time for our significant others. Sometimes it's easy to let life get in the way. :)
ReplyDeleteSo sweet. Love. My favorite moments are when we get to just "be" and drop our Mommy and Daddy titles for a little while, remembering who we were together before our family grew. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this. Sometimes we just need that quiet time to reconnect and remember those moments years before that brought us together in the first place!
ReplyDeleteI really loved this post. It is so easy to lose sight of what built the family in the first place! this really touched me and I too need to relish in more husband and wife moments.
ReplyDeleteAw I love that you wrote this! It's really encouraging to read this and just be reminded of this before I start my day =) Thanks again!!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful sentiments! So glad you shared!
ReplyDeleteThis is so true. I often feel like we're just going through the motions and being mom and dad, and sometimes we forget what its like to be Andie & Scott prebaby.
ReplyDeleteYou are making me realize it is definitely time for a date night!
Love this post!