Ohmystinkinheck

As I grow closer to Jeff, there are simple, daily reminders of him I look for and enjoy. Some of these things, even a few years ago, would irk me to ridiculous proportions - maybe even be a catalyst to a fight. But now? The same things leave a smile on my face and find me lost in my thoughts of our last hug, kiss, or words, as I go about the day.

This morning, as I brought in plants I watered and drained on the porch through the night, I saw my first daily reminder - an empty coffee cup resting on the arm of the Adirondack nearest the front door. I hauled the plants inside, one by one, thinking of his morning. I felt him crawl out of bed after too many rounds of the snooze button. I heard him shave and shower, remember glimpses of him dressing, and then, like every morning, he stopped long enough to lean-in, kiss me awake and tell me he loved me; his aftershave lingering in the bed a while longer.

After all the plants were back in place I went out on the porch, retrieved his mug, and used it to pour my first cup of coffee from the pot he made earlier.

Funny that.

A few years ago I would have nagged him about bringing his mug inside. I would have asked why he had to ALWAYS leave his mug on the chair outside. I wouldn’t have considered his kindness - slipping out quietly, not waking the kids, and then, enjoying those last few sips before he headed out on his bike for work.

But now? Now its simply the sweet evidence of how our lives are so intricately woven together.

Good coffee.
Nice blend.

29 Responses to “A comforting blend for the morning.”

1. Coco

   sniffle… that’s a beautiful thought & a very lovely reminder to appreciate those little ways our lives touch…

2. Candace

   Thanks for sharing this little tidbit :) It really made me smile. Reminds me a lot of my Hubby and I’s relationship!

3. Sara

   This is beautiful. And the photo is gorgeous. A perfect illustration to your description of these moments.

4. Angela Tippets

   That is “good coffee”, “nice blend”. I feel the same way. My husband typically leaves the same way in the morning. I feel so blessed and find that as we are growing old together, that things that used to bother me, I rather enjoy. It’s the day to day little things that bring happiness and joy in my life. I’m glad that there are still relationships like ours out there. It was a lot of work getting to the point that we are at, but the road has been so worth it. I’m glad we still “dig” each other after 16 years. I love the photo as an illustration too:)

5. JP

   I don’t often comment…I’m not sure why, but I just has to say what a nice post that was. It’s so easy to see the negative in people (especially those we live with/are married to) and that was a lovely reminder of loving unconditionally. Very nice.

6. Michelle

   I think my favorite part of this anecdote is the fact that you used his mug for your own cup of coffee.

7. mamalang

   I’ve been even more aware and thoughtful about these things recently, especially consder I won’t be experiencing them for so long. Thanks for the timeliness, as usual :)

8. Tabitha

   That’s very sweet… I love the chair, btw!
   tabitha @ http://www.fromsingletomarried.com

9. citystreams

   Oh Heather! I think this may be my most favorite of all of my favorite posts that you’ve ever written. It’s perfect. Seriously. I wish I could put the right words together, but I keep deleting the cheesy lines after I type them.

   It’s beautiful and inspiring. :o)

10. Belindalouwho

    Beautiful post….I can smell the roast….it’s something of which to boast…because it’s what we all want..at least most…

11. jen

    This was a pretty cool post. Makes me look forward to when I will be where you are now. Because I already feel like that about my husband (even though he irks ME to no end, too…)so I cant even imagine Us with a few more years under our belt.
    Thank you for reminding me.

12. Lisa @ The Cutting Edge of Ordinary

    How very sweet and what a great lesson for every couple. My relationship has changed over the years. I am more tolerate, try to speak with kindess, and truly appreciate all the wonderful things that make my husband who he is. Now if we could just get the rest of the world to do the same thing!

13. Aileen

    This was a lovely post. Truly.

    Question though. What changed and how did you get there?

    Can you do a follow-up post for those who perhaps are not as fortunate or who still find themselves in the throes of your earlier description. Maybe do a “her” post and a “his” post?

    Just a suggestion.

    Cheers.

14. OMSH

    Aileen, I’ll ask Jeff what he thinks. I daresay it was any one thing that took us where we are - just a gradual understanding of how fortunate we were to have each other and a desire to make it better and better.

15. Linda

    Fabulous thoughts, thanks for sharing them. What a wonderful gift to be able to shift your thinking and reframe this situation from being an annoyance to being an endearment. You rock, Mrs. OMSH!

16. Gayle

    This is a great post Heather. Thank you for reminding me that I need be mindful to not get annoyed over little things that mean nothing in the greater scheme of things.

17. Christina

    I loved reading that. Thanks for sharing a such a moment.

18. Christie

    That is so encouraging. I feel like I’m closer to the “nag” stage with my hubby and this was a great reminder that I need to love and appreciate who he is right now–messy habits and all.

19. Mr. OMSH

    And who says there is no God…? Here is a perfect example of how ‘two become one flesh’ and how male and female complement one another to form a whole.

    Truth be known: I HAD to leave the coffee cup outside–I locked myself out on my way to work, with only my bike key in my hand!

    But at least I was quiet about it…

    I just LOVE my wife.

20. Kristi

    You two are a great couple, and constantly inspire me in my own marriage and family life. So far our marriage has been a roller coaster ride of our own making due to poor decisions made by one or the other or, in some circumstances, together. Forgiveness is hard to come by at times, but I am hopeful for our future. Love like yours is so refreshing and positive!

21. Carole

    That was just so sweet, I am crying like a baby!

22. OMSH

    Mr. OMSH…truth be told you lock yourself out of the house every morning when you do this. ON PURPOSE. You lock us in.

23. Mrs. Wilson

    Again, I LOVE your blog! And I love how much you love your husband. Seriously. Your blog always puts a smile on my face.

    ;)

24. Angie Garza

    This is such a nice tribute to your life together. Thanks fo much for sharing! ang

25. Brenda

    I like the idea of a his and her post! This is a beautiful entry and the picture is a fantastic illustration. I love this tribute and will make an effort today to show appreciation to hubby for the little things. :)

26. Mr. OMSH

    OMSH–I only lock y’all in because it’s like Wal-Mart preaches to its employees:

    SAFETY FIRST.

    …or whatever.

27. OMSH

    Mr. OMSH - What you aren’t telling everyone is YOU WON’T EVEN ENTER THE DOOR AT WALK*MART!

    Thanks baby - I’ll take all the ’safety’ (protection) you have to give out. :)

28. Kim R

    I love being married also!! I have a wonderful husband. 23 years and counting! This weekend will be our first stab at the empty nest.

29. katef

    Catching up on feeds and I just had to come comment on this… I love my husband but right now we are in the phase of driving each other nuts with tiny stupid little things…. thanks for giving me hope that it doesn’t last forever.