20 YEARS

I will someday remind myself to write a substantial entry in sweet reflection of 20 years together with the man I married. We met on this date in 1989. Last night, as we ran a couple of errands together (with the baby...quiet baby), we thought it apropos to grab a quick coffee and take a slow drive around the lakes. The moment seemed ideal. Our older kids were at home and in bed and the youngest of our offspring was quietly asleep.

We parked, I went in the storefront and grabbed our coffees. Upon approaching the car, I heard the evening's distraction. Of course, the cries increased in sound once the door was opened.

My 20 year mate and I decided to forge ahead and go on as planned with a minor stop to feed what seemed to be the hungry child. We stopped, I unbuckled and brought the infant to the front seat. it soon became clear that the baby with smiles was not hungry but only had intention of 'joining' us for our evening of 'Us.'

Legs set in jumping motion, voice set in squealing song, eyes alert with excited anticipation on what was to be shared next. My husband took in the scene with a sip of coffee and a question of , "Aren't you sleepy?" The squeaked response said enough. No.

Setting him back in car seat, arming him with arsenal of toys, i buckled myself in the front seat. 50 feet into driving, 50 feet into beginning of adult conversation, 50 feet of one half sip of coffee, baby begins to sound off. His amplitude of sound increases with each raise of the radio volume (classical music of course). As intelligent beings, we assumed this would die off. We assumed he would tire himself out. In time, we realized, we assumed wrong.

We pulled over, i put my coffee cup in place and buckled up in the back seat. The baby smiled at my appearance but continued to show his disfavor of his placement. The decision was made to take the quickest route home -- turn right (off the lake pathway) and make all the green lights.

My coffee was 1/2 full and cold as we pulled into the driveway. Baby was taken out of his car seat, changed into pajamas, put in crib and less than 5 minutes, was quietly at rest.

This is the culmination of 20 years together.

We will try again tonight.