So Anniversary #40. I had looked forward to this day for so many years. And then I dreaded it. But, thanks to the love and support of incredible family and friends it was one of the most beautiful days of my life. I was overwhelmed. Blessed. Grateful. Overjoyed. I know Gregger was with me. All the way.
I didn’t want to open my eyes in the morning. I didn’t want to look at the empty pillow next to mine. It shouldn’t be that way. I should be annoyed by the rumbling snores. The deep breathing. Whistling. But there was silence. Was I angry? Kind of. He should have been here. Sad? Most definitely. Disappointed. More than ever. This was OUR day. The day he set aside for the two of us EVERY YEAR since the day we were wed. Regardless of what was happening in our lives, it was OUR day. But he wasn’t here. It was me. So I had choices. Lie in bed. Cry. Or get up and go. Do something. I decided to go with Plan B. First step. Coffee. Watch the video. Recapture the years. The love. The laughter. Our life. Perfect. A few tears. But that was ok. I needed it. Needed to let go.
I was planning on spending the afternoon with Ashley and Tyler. Little did I know they had other plans. Something else up their sleeve. Like father, like daughter. Gregger loved surprises, and Ashley decided to channel a little Gregger herself. The original plan was to spend the whole day doing “something.” Or a whole lot of nothing. Didn’t really matter. As long as we were together. But a couple of weeks ago, she called me, completely frazzled. She had a mandatory sales meeting on the 10th. No worries. Plans change. Life gets in the way. We’d make it work. In the meantime, my “mama angel,” Marcia, planned to take OTF with me. Awesome! What a way to start my day! Perfect friend. Perfect workout. What could be better? The BEST SURPRISE! Ashley and Tyler with a bouquet of balloons! No sales meeting! They got me. And they got me good!
But the surprises didn’t end there. It was off to brunch, bloody’s, and besties all in one big room! Waiting at Union were my favorite people. The people who have helped me make this my “home.” The dear people who welcomed a stranger from Scottsdale with open arms. It’s hard to imagine I’ve lived here such a short time. Yet I’ve never felt so at home. So at peace. And I thank each and every one of these people. These people I call my friends. People who touch your life, your heart, your soul. People who make you want to wake up in the morning when life gets hard. People who help you smile when it would be so easy not to. Friends. And family. This was the best gift I could have received yesterday. A blanket of love.
This day was another reminder of the gift we call life. A reminder to be grateful for our blessings. A reminder that gifts don’t always come in pretty wrapped packages. This day was a gift. And I am so very grateful for every moment. For my kids. For my friends. And, of course, for Gregger.
