Thursday, July 12, 2007
Evening Walk
He came home a bit later than usual and immediately asked, "are you tired?" "I am", I told him. "Completely worn out." He went on to explain that it had been such a beautiful summer day, he thought we should take a walk.
That's different - newfound energy. Absolutely, just let me grab my tennis shoes.
We drove to the trail's head, climbed up the steep wooden stairs, and took off at a comfortable pace. We walked a mile or so, discussing the events of the day, just the mundane stuff couples discuss in any typical evening. Then as we settled into a matching stride, not too slow for him, and not too fast for me, our conversation began to take on gentle curves, much like the trail. We began to notice trees that were covered in apples, vines that held grapes not yet ripe, wild raspberries or blackberries in the brambles that lined the trail. A rabbit ran across our path, we noticed the songs of various birds. And we talked. About marriages, ours and others. What submission really meant, how it's walked out day by day. Did we each feel respected in our relationship? Did it show, when we are with others? We discussed our future, near and far. What would that look like, how would it feel, where would it stretch us? What were we looking forward to in it, and what seemed a bit overwhelming?
We stopped here and there to visit with other couples, some known and some new faces. Families with several children on bicycles, which brought back memories of years gone by. An older gentleman with a fluffy dog, and upon questioning him, we found it was a Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier. Sweet fun to watch this white-haired gentleman talk about his dog, obviously a loved companion for his winter season of life.
Our conversation wandered to differences between us, still obvious after 26 years of marriage. Sometimes entertaining, sometimes irritating. Never boring. As we walked I told him he's going to be the perfect retirement companion. He has a sense of adventure, always ready to go somewhere, try something new, fully experience what life has to offer - in his own quiet way.
We came to the horse farm, always a favorite destination on our walk. Three colts, and one mare about ready to foal - you could see it in the heaviness of her underbelly. Standing there, leaning over the fence, listening to my shy, quiet husband make neighing noises trying to coax them over, I felt a washing over of the realization of how deep-to-the-core-of-me I love this man. It spoke of his complete comfort with me when I saw him smiling, knowing he looked and sounded a bit silly, and he was confident I was enjoying being the sole spectator to his animal imitation.
Heading back, after visiting the colts, we came to a sign telling us Washington DC was about 350 miles further down the trail. That lead to talk of future road trips we want to take. We stopped and watched as a deer ran across the trail, then continued to talk of the upcoming weekend, and made plans to go to breakfast and the zoo this Sunday morning. He wants to see the Polar Bears. Such a tender heart, he loves nature, the outdoors, but above all that, me.
I love being married to this man, who at the end of his workday wanted to relish a perfect summer evening by walking the trail with me. I love that this quiet man chooses to share his few words with me, as we walk in the evening. I love walking through life with this man, one day at a time.
That's different - newfound energy. Absolutely, just let me grab my tennis shoes.
We drove to the trail's head, climbed up the steep wooden stairs, and took off at a comfortable pace. We walked a mile or so, discussing the events of the day, just the mundane stuff couples discuss in any typical evening. Then as we settled into a matching stride, not too slow for him, and not too fast for me, our conversation began to take on gentle curves, much like the trail. We began to notice trees that were covered in apples, vines that held grapes not yet ripe, wild raspberries or blackberries in the brambles that lined the trail. A rabbit ran across our path, we noticed the songs of various birds. And we talked. About marriages, ours and others. What submission really meant, how it's walked out day by day. Did we each feel respected in our relationship? Did it show, when we are with others? We discussed our future, near and far. What would that look like, how would it feel, where would it stretch us? What were we looking forward to in it, and what seemed a bit overwhelming?
We stopped here and there to visit with other couples, some known and some new faces. Families with several children on bicycles, which brought back memories of years gone by. An older gentleman with a fluffy dog, and upon questioning him, we found it was a Soft Coated Wheaton Terrier. Sweet fun to watch this white-haired gentleman talk about his dog, obviously a loved companion for his winter season of life.
Our conversation wandered to differences between us, still obvious after 26 years of marriage. Sometimes entertaining, sometimes irritating. Never boring. As we walked I told him he's going to be the perfect retirement companion. He has a sense of adventure, always ready to go somewhere, try something new, fully experience what life has to offer - in his own quiet way.
We came to the horse farm, always a favorite destination on our walk. Three colts, and one mare about ready to foal - you could see it in the heaviness of her underbelly. Standing there, leaning over the fence, listening to my shy, quiet husband make neighing noises trying to coax them over, I felt a washing over of the realization of how deep-to-the-core-of-me I love this man. It spoke of his complete comfort with me when I saw him smiling, knowing he looked and sounded a bit silly, and he was confident I was enjoying being the sole spectator to his animal imitation.
Heading back, after visiting the colts, we came to a sign telling us Washington DC was about 350 miles further down the trail. That lead to talk of future road trips we want to take. We stopped and watched as a deer ran across the trail, then continued to talk of the upcoming weekend, and made plans to go to breakfast and the zoo this Sunday morning. He wants to see the Polar Bears. Such a tender heart, he loves nature, the outdoors, but above all that, me.
I love being married to this man, who at the end of his workday wanted to relish a perfect summer evening by walking the trail with me. I love that this quiet man chooses to share his few words with me, as we walk in the evening. I love walking through life with this man, one day at a time.
Labels: Glimpse of the Heart
<< Home