Thursday, February 13, 2014

Valentine.

It's Valentine's Day here, so today I'm going to devote a whole post to the old hubstar, for whom the word long-suffering was invented.

Valentine's Day on the Inca Trail 17 years ago (four months pregnant with Harley)

At my sisters Sharon's wedding 16 years ago, Ohope Beach, NZ

Harley, Cy, Jackson and Tallulah ten years ago, our backyard, Oakland

James Bond party two years ago

On Friday we went out to Burma Superstar for lunch, just the two of us. The topic of kids was off limit...but after 18 years together did we have anything else to talk about?
"Did you see how Teddy (the dog) yawned before we came out?"
"He's so good at that!"
"And hyper intelligent, did you see how he stretched?" Of course we had other things to talk about. 

Litany of Kevin's Awesomeness: he's bested a leprechaun in a cross country race in Tahoe (remember?); for a year in London he recited the names of the Italian soccer team every night because it was the only thing that would make baby Harley less grumpy; for 11 years he's played hoops with the kids when he gets home however bad his work day; he powers up my phone and my electric car because I forget; he is always happy to look at just one more pair of beige heels and help me with the blog; he is amused when the kids roll their eyes at us -  and he takes over completely at the weekend so I can lie a-bed.

He is the one at any given party talking to the person standing alone in the corner. He stays friends forever because he is kind and forgiving.

Kindness. Seldom lauded is it? Rarely viewed as precious... especially in men. The nature of Kevin's kindness is beautifully captured in these lyrics from Alternate Routes' Nothing More.

"To be humble, to be kind.
It is the giving of the peace in your mind.

We are Love
We are One

We are how we treat each other when the day is done

Tell me what it is that you see
A world that’s filled with endless possibilities?
Heroes don’t look they used to, they look like you do."


He is...home.

Tell me about your Valentine, friends.


28 comments:

  1. Gorgeous post and pictures, love that image of you on the Inca trail, you adventurers you - and how it it possible that you manage to look younger as the years pass?!

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  2. What a lovely post in honour of your hubstar. He sounds a dude.

    You're right, kindness in men is a precious treasure.

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  3. I have known hubs for 32 years. Been lovers for 30. Been married for almost 24. Don't know a better man...can fix anything, lift a house, cook breakfast every morning, cry at chick flicks, rub my neck, draw my bath, put up with all my shit, talk to a wall, open and pour my wine, and love me unconditionally. Somehow, I picked a winner.

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  4. Oh love this! I have a wee homage to Barry as well. Not sure he could hoist me on his shoulders these days (but that is more me than him!). Love to you!

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  5. Ahhh...so sweet!! You two are precious. Loved the pictures. Happy Valentine's day, I hope it was very special for you Xx

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  6. You and Kevin look so happy together in all of those pics. True love :)

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  7. Sweet post. Hope you guys are out celebrating Valentine's and (perhaps) not talking about the kids .... they are a cute bunch

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  8. He did a good thing today. He cleared gutters this morning - which was important because of the incoming storm.
    We are doing Valentine's another day.
    Sx

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  9. Awwww--- what a lovely dedication to your hubby! And the photos are phenomenal---- what a beautiful family!!!!!

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  10. Sounds like a wonderful valentine to have indeed for life at your feed

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  11. Your husband sounds like a wonderful man! I'm lucky to be married to my favorite Valentine as well. Kindness IS underrated in men. I think sometimes kindness is confused with weakness or that it's not possible to be both kind and successful.

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  12. I loved this! I think you are such a handsome couple, you have four beautiful and interesting kids, and this new information about Kevin's kindness, it brings a tear to my eye I tell ya. Kindness is men is so Manly, it takes a grown-up man comfortable in his own skin and with his priorities right where he wants them to be calm and kind... Kevin sounds an awful lot like my MrBP I have to say.
    Happy Valentine's Day you lovebirds!!

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  13. Just so lovely . What a great person who obviously compliments you. Have a lovely valentines day

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  14. Happy Valentines Day! We snuck up to Whistler for a romantic get away and enjoyed a fabulous bottle of bubbly.

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  15. Well,Saint Francis of ASSISI who resides in my shower in the powder room was sporting a small ruby and diamond ring on his pinkie!This I found after a card telling me" NO CLUES the hunt is on……."took me about 10 minutes!THANK GOD our house is SMALL!

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  16. Ahhh, how sweet. My Valentine has put up with my special brand of crazy/neurotics for 26 years, including being my designated driver tonight after I enjoyed quite a bit of red wine at a dinner party.

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  17. Oh I loved this and especially the pictures. Darling. What a sweet post. Your Kevin is the best kind of husband and man. He sounds a lot like my Max who is never too tired to do dishes or spend time with kids at night, after long days. Last night, we made tandoori chicken together and chocolate fondue for the kids. We have done a Valentines's dinner in front of the fire with the whole crew since they were very little. They always got so excited and loved it. Not so romantic, but we watched Olympics and had a cozy night. Earlier we went to lunch together just us two in town.. Have a good weekend Jody!

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  18. P.S. I agree kindness is the best quality in a man and I wish that my sons are kind and happy more than anything!

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  19. Aww. He certainly sounds like a keeper!

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  20. Delightful post; ideal for Valentine's. You have a wonderful husband.

    Btw, what happened to the striped suit that suited you so well?

    Blessings and Bear hugs!

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  21. luff this post.

    Mr FF is long suffering good looking and patient. He has the hair of a much younger man and makes me laugh x

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  22. Kindness - a much under-valued attribute. Your K sound ( and looks!) gorgeous!

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  23. I'm a bit ashamed to say I wish my wife would write such a beautiful post in my honor. But your hubstar clearly is the embodiment of kindness whereas I... well, you should ask my wife. Been together for ten years, married 1.5 years and we're still good. I'm a lucky guy. I was ill for half a year and she was always there for me. I should write a post about her. Hope you're doing fine.

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  24. He sounds a real treasure. Wonderful husband and father.
    Good to hear he helps with your blog - mine does that too, sometimes adding a bit or suggesting a title but always supporting me with my writing,

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  25. Kevin sounds like a wonderful husband. You're right. I find that kindness is so under-rated these days but it's one of the most important attributes for any person to have.

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  26. How lovely to be married to someone well described as "kind". Can't seem to sum my sweetie up in less than 20 pages - but perhaps that just shows that he always keeps me guessing. My daughter describes him as "charming".

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