Hospital help

I barely remember getting a call from Tina the trainer, telling me that Jace was struggling to breathe and I needed to get in the trainers room. I was sitting next to you in the stands and you said I threw my blanket off my lap on to yours and booked it down to the trainers room. It was scary seeing Jace struggling to breathe normally, with a doctor and a trainer telling me they were going to call an ambulance if I couldn't get him to the hospital quickly. I got out my phone and I already had a text from you asking if everything was ok. I text back and told you we need to get to the hospital, fast. Jace didn't want to leave, I was explaining to him that we didn't have a choice and next thing I know you're standing right next to me. You saw his condition and immediately went to go get your truck to pull up to the curb. You didn't question leaving the game. You took us to the hospital, and when Sam was getting angry you went out into the hall with Ashley and Ella. I can't even remember how everything went once we were there. Just that you drove Ashley and Ella home, after picking Ava up at a friends. You came back, in the middle of the night, to sit with me and Jace. You helped me by asking the doctors questions so we knew exactly what was going on. And when it came time for Jace to go up to OHSU, you took his stinky clothes home and washed them before even going to bed. The next morning I called and asked you to pick us up. There was no hesitation. I was worried you wouldn't know where to go because even I wasn't fully sure where we were. But what do you know, as we are getting ready to leave you showed up at the room Jace was staying in (with . You are my hero. You did everything I could have needed, wanted, and then more I didn't even know I needed and wanted. Just like everything else in our lives, you stood right next to me. 

I have all the faith and trust in the world in you. Time and time again you have proven that you won't let me down, and that you'll go above and beyond to help me and to be there for me.

Thank you for helping me and Jace that weekend. Thank you for being so selfless with your time, even in the middle of the night. Thank you for washing his clothes and stopping by Target to pick up his meds. Thank you for being my shoulder to lean on during a scary time.

Keeping up with the theme of this entry..hospital visits...remember when you took me to the hospital when I was having kidney pain? I was so embarrassed for you to come over and see me. I was literally moaning in pain. You took me in and, again, asked all the right questions and helped me with whatever I needed. You were compassionate and caring. I felt so dumb, but you validated my pain and wanted to make sure I was getting what I needed to feel better. Thank you for taking me in, and for staying by my side. Thank you for believing me when I told you how much pain I was in, and for making sure I was taken care of.

How about when you took me in for a colonoscopy? Nobody ever wants to go get one of those, but I knew you would be there to pick me up. As I was getting set up with an IV and the nurse was talking to me about the pain meds I would receive, she asked me who was picking me up and if you were my boyfriend. At first I was a little annoyed, wasn't sure why that was her business. Then she explained that the meds would make me feel euphoric, and that among other things, I shouldn't purpose to you. HA! You were waiting in the lobby for me when I got done, and when we got to your truck I saw you had picked up pizza. You said you knew that I wouldn't want to cook when I got home. How thoughtful is that? I hadn't even thought that far ahead. Thank you for taking me, for picking me up, for being sympathetic when I couldn't eat for 2 days, and for getting my family pizza. Thank you for the thoughtfulness that went in to that. I love you.

You're so good with kids, the elderly, animals...

I love watching you interact...with anyone or anything. You amaze me with your ability to put anyone at ease, with always knowing the right thing to say or do. You are always kind to people. I've always said that I think the most important thing in the world is to treat people with kindness. I've taught my kids that, and I try to live by that. Watching you....that's just who you are. You're rarely irritable, you're rarely mad or even bothered. It blows me away, really. I've never met anyone who can keep their cool as much as you, who can diffuse any kind of situation and who never resorts to yelling, or being rude.
My favorite is watching you with kids, specifically mine:) You don't talk to them in a "kid voice." You talk to them as one person to another. You tease them, you make lots and lots of trouble! You give them (great) advice. There are no pretenses and you're very sincere. Thank you for being such a good example to them. Thank you letting them see that there are kind, good men who always want to do the right thing.
Vaughn before I met you I was careful not to label men, especially when talking to my daughters. The expression "men are pigs" really irritates me. No, not all men are pigs. And not all women are saints. I always told my daughters there are good men out there, who love their families and who do whats right. I know I believed that, but I didn't realize how much I was speaking the truth. You are a MAN in every sense of the word and meaning. You are a good man, and I'm proud of who you are. I'm proud to have you as an example to my children. I'm proud of how you treat me, and how you treat others. Family, friends, coworkers, perfect strangers- you're the same person to all of them.
I get teased so bad by my daughters for telling them I'm happy you're an example to them, but I don't care. Eventually they will really understand what I meant and how much it means to me for them to see daily examples of how a good man behaves.
Thank you for always being kind and always trying to do what's right!

Our birthday

I'll never get over having the same birthday. We might have been born in different years (you are soooooo much older than I am-ha!) but the same day. I love telling people that. On our birthday we are so corny. We say Happy Birthday! Oh Happy Birthday to you, too! We are so corny asking each other how each's birthday is going.

We were only dating a couple of weeks before our birthday in 2014. I remember texting during the day, but I was going to my girls last day of school parties and I'm sure you were busy working. We both decided to go out to dinner with our families and then meet up a little later for drinks. Since it was the last day of school for all of our kids, they were more interested in going out with their friends than dinner with us, but they nicely gave us a little bit of their time. We each had early dinners and they all went their own ways. You picked me up and we went to the Rock, a place we have been to quite a few times and have found drinks we love there.We got some drinks and appetizers and had no idea where we were going from there. My friend Toni had just given me some movie gift cards so we made a last minute decision to go see 22 Jumpstreet, it was hilarious! We really liked it. It was late by the time the movie got out so we drove over to a sports bar in Tigard for more appetizers and drinks. It was so,so weird. There were some weird people there, and we ordered a weird plate of hummus & veggies. I just remember thinking...ew. So we didn't stay long, we went for a drive after and then you dropped me off. It was a great night! Thanks for celebrating your birthday that year with me! Thank you for celebrating mine with me, too!

For our next birthday together in 2015, we spent a little more time together. We first went on a long walk over to Biscuits for breakfast. We found a way to get our exercise in but also eat, that's so us! Breakfast was yummy and the walk home was nice. We got ready for the day and ran a few errands (we were looking for sunglasses for me because it drives you nuts when I don't have any). Again, it was the last day of school for our kids. We had planned a dinner for everyone a couple of weeks earlier. We invited Patty and Carl, your Mom and Ozzie, your kids and mine. We planned on meeting everyone at Buffalo Wild Wings but only your crew showed up:) Jace decided last minute he didn't want to go, Ashley was out of town and Ella was at a party so only Ava came with me. Patty, Carl, Pam, Ozzie, Austin and Megan all showed up too. It was a nice dinner, but Ava was pouting the entire time because she was so bored and didn't feel like talking to adults. I was so embarrassed she was acting like that! After dinner she went to a friends house, everyone else went their own ways and it was just us again. We went down to Henrys for chocolate martinis and fries. It wasn't like it could have been. We should have had a great time, but I was so hurt Jace and Ella missed dinner, and I hadn't heard from Ashley much. I think I really ruined the evening with my sad mood! But, it's you, and you never get too bothered. I can't remember what we did after Henry's. I think we just went home. The late evening wasn't great, but the day/early evening was great and I'm so grateful we got to spend it together.

There's something really cool about sharing a birthday! I love sharing it with you. I love you!

Our notebook

For whatever reason, you had a brand new sparkly purple notebook in your room. One day we were in your room joking around, and we started writing notes back and forth to each other in the notebook. We had no idea what we were starting! Since then, we write notes to each other. There are no rules, sometimes it's a quick I love you and sometimes it's the whole page. We take turns, sometimes not knowing if the other person has even written us back. I love when I realize I haven't checked it recently, so I check and there's a note from you. We don't write anything we wouldn't or haven't said to each others faces. But it's just a fun thing just for the two of us. I love it, you say I'm romantic and you think I need these big gestures. But to me, that notebook is the best type of romance. I love it, and you.

Just SOME of our experiences

It seems like we have done so much together in just a year and a half. We spend a lot of time at home, hanging out with our kids. But, we've managed to get out a few times, have fun and make memories. There are some experiences that just stand out.

The Blazer game:

I'd only been to a Blazer game once, and my seat was in the 300 section in the waaay back. Well Patty had some tickets she wasn't using and she let us take them. We went to a McMenamins first for dinner. Anyway we got to the Blazer game and I realized our tickets were actually on the floor, they were amazing! I've never had that type of experience. It was so fun to go with you and bug you with all of my questions. The players were less than a foot in front of me some of the times, it was definitely an experience I'll always remember.

Phantom of the Opera & 42nd Street:

Again, Patty gave us tickets to both shows. They are the only two shows I've ever been to, and I loved them both. I loved Phantom because my Mom loved it and I remember listening to the music with her and having it played in our home. So it was special to me for that. We got dressed up and went to Henry's first so I could finally eat the famous fries. The whole night was fun and it was nice to get dressed up and go out for the night.
42nd street was so good. I loved it for the tapping, the music, the story line. I also loved it because we had the whole evening to ourselves. We were talking about where we should go for dinner and I asked you if you would make me dinner at your house instead. You were happy to do so, of course. So we had a delicious dinner at your house (you're an amazing cook) then went to the show, and afterwards you practically made me go to Portland City Grill because I had never been there and you were dying to show me the view. I kept saying no because I knew it was expensive but you dragged me up there and I'm glad you did. It's gorgeous up there. We didn't stay too long but long enough to have some fries, pumpkin donuts, semi-yummy drinks and to look at the beautiful view. You said almost a year and a half later and you finally found me my view. So sweet. After Portland City Grill we headed to your house for a drink but needed to stop at QFC to get Megan cookie dough. That's so us, doing family/kid things in the middle of a date, which neither of us mind doing. We got back to your house and you made me a drink. After the first you offered me a second and you were so surprised I accepted. You said "It's past midnight and you have to drive home still." Well, I didn't. I had been planning a surprise for you all week. I asked Karissa (Kara's friend) to come stay the night at my house with my kids so I could stay at yours, that was the first time I had ever done something like that and I was so excited. I say it was a surprise for you, but it was really a surprise for both of us. You loved it, I loved it. It was so nice to not have to make the evening end without each other.

Fatheads, flirting with 50 year old dirty whores:

This will forever be funny to me! We went to Fatheads with your friends Joe, Susan, Mark and David. You made me sit by David, who is just as nice as can be, but has halitosis bad. Thanks a lot! Anyway, you were on my left and Joe was across from you at a community type table. Two women walked in wearing dirty ho shirts (??) and they were celebrating one of their 50th birthdays. I can't remember why their shirts said dirty ho/whore, but just that they did. They sat across from eachother, both next to you and Joe. Joe started chatting them up and you just felt you had to do the same so you did't look rude. Rigghhhtt!! You sat and flirted with her for a good 20 minutes! I was thinking, wait, he knows his girlfriend is right next to him right?! It was actually funny. Joe bought their drinks...his wife was sitting right next to him. It was all a little strange! I can't believe you flirted with a dirty ho at Fatheads!  Right in front of me! Flirt! I had to drive home since you had a few drinks, and it was with Megan's car. Her pedals are so different than mine plus I was wearing hills and you made me drive on Germantown, bad combo! It was a jerky ride home but we made it.

Rock Bottom & Garth Brooks

You surprised me with last minute tickets to go see Garth Brooks.  We had dinner at Rock Bottom first and shared a salad and some chicken fried chicken (my favorite, yum). I love that when we go to restaurants we sometimes order two things to share.We got on the max with at least 1500 other Portland residents! All our age, going to see Garth:) It was a great concert. We had a big pole in our way, but we were so close to the stage. On our way home we max hopped and were so squished we didn't even have to hold on. Thank you for taking me to see Garth! He's one of my favorites and it was a good concert.

Rock on!

We will never look at the way to say I love you in sign language the same. About a year ago I started using it whenever you were walking or driving away and you couldn't hear me. I'm guessing about two months went by before I used it when you were close to me, and you said "Ya, rock on." Whaaaat? Turns out, all that time you thought I was giving you the rock on symbol. Hahahaha! I was dying. Why would I be telling you to rock on every time we left each other? You had no idea that the sign meant I love you. So, every time we are leaving each other now we use the sign and say "rock on!"

How much can one person help another?

You are a helper. A fixer. Well, you're with the perfect person, because I need a lot of helping and a lot of fixing! No matter the situation, you've stepped up and have been ready, willing and able to help without question.
My shelves: I've wanted those shelves for what seems like forever! I looked at them on pinterest, I took screenshots of them, I even went and picked up some pallets with good intentions. But you're a doer, and within days of finding out I wanted them, you were at my house with a chainsaw and motivation to get them done. I love them! Just like I knew I would. Thank you for cutting those for me. Thank you for doing it even if you thought they would look dumb, or even if you still do! Thank you for doing it simply because you knew I wanted it done.
My shower: Either scalding hot, or beyond freezing. That's what I got from water in my shower. Ava started flat refusing to shower! You youtubed and googled and got to work. Ok, ya, something went wrong and there was a giant water leak within my walls, hahahaha! You can't be perfect all the time! You went home and hung your head and came back early the next morning with a plumber. Thank you.
My tables: I wanted tables. You knew I did and you knew you could build them. You said you were ready and willing when I was. More googling and pinteresting and picking out wood. You built them in a weekend, with me as your "helper." More like me standing around handing you wood, sometimes telling you the right measurements and sometimes not. You happily built them with no expectations for anything in return.

My microwave: Who even needs a microwave with 5 people living in one house? Turns out I did. When mine broke it was such an inconvenience. But the only idea I could come up with as a solution was to buy one I could put on the counter, using up what very little counter space I have. You had a better idea.You immediately started looking on craigslist and found one that could replace what I had above my stove from someone who was getting rid of theirs due to a remodel. It was in bull mountain, you offered to go get it because I was driving carpool. You picked it up right in the middle of traffic time. You got right to installing it. There was a tiny piece of sticky foam you were missing, so you set everything aside and ran to home depot. I can't believe you wouldn't just install it without that one tiny piece! But you wanted to do it right. You're one of the most UNlazy people I know! It didn't take long, and I had a great microwave. You even took the old one away and got rid of it for me. It was such a stress reliever to have a microwave again, and to not have had to pay a fortune for a replacement.

My mantle: One night I was complaining about not having a place to put my DVR and DVD player. You asked me what I wanted to do about it, so I started talking about temporary solutions. You asked what I reallly wanted to do about it so I started showing you some pinterest projects/shelves I had been coveting. You jumped right up to go to home depot to get the supplies, but they were already closed. First thing the next morning you and I were at Home Depot picking out wood. We went right to your house to make cuts and get started. You built me the most beautiful mantle! It's so perfect for that space and it changed my entire living room. It is so well made and I absolutely love it. I am proud of you for having the skills you do, and the motivation and determination you show. I'm so proud of how beautiful that mantle is, thank you Vaughn!
My closet doors: You fixed them, and you'll fix them again! Why do Tanuvasa's break closet doors? Who knows, but you're willing to fix them for me. Thank you!
My bed: I bought a bed from Marnie. I couldn't have gotten it in my car, definitely wouldn't have gotten it to my house in the 5 minutes it took you to get it. I went along for the ride, but lets face it, you're the one who really got it. You came right back to my house and put it together. I'm so used to doing that stuff alone. I'm used to messing up a million times and spending hours on what should take minutes. You got it done so fast and had such a good attitude about it, as usual. It was so fun to have an actual headboard, I had not had one since I was a child! Thank you for getting that over to my house for me!
Ella's mirror: Yet one more thing that would have taken me forever. You got your drill and came over ready to get it done. My kids aren't used to seeing things get done, get done well, and get done fast. Thank you for doing that, and being a great example in that way.
Letting my kids in my house: I'm not sure how many times you've done it, but at least twice you've gone by my house to let Ashley in with your key. You're always happy to do so, too. You don't act like it's a bother or inconvenience.
My front door: You've weather stripped it and you've also put the door handle back on...twice. One time I didn't even realize you had, I was busy cooking dinner when you fixed it and then a few days later it dawned on me that it was fixed and I wasn't sure how or when that happened! Thank you for fixing that for me. It's one less thing I have to worry about.
My crate bookshelf: One more project I showed you on Pinterest. I had wanted it forever. You took one look at it and said "Oh that will be easy!" I bought and painted each individual crate, you screwed them all together, screwed on some support pieces and added wheels. I love it! It's one of my favorite things in my house. thank you for doing that for me. I love the crates/shelf because it's so cute but mostly because it was something you helped me with. I imagine us making all sorts of things in the future.
My vacuum: Wow, what a mess.I had two vacuums break. Then, I bought a new one that didn't work at all. You knew that I didn't want to spend more money buying a new one. You knew I would never let you buy me a new one. So you stalked craigslist for over a month looking for a good one. You picked it up clear out in Vancouver, and then you sat down and while watching a movie you cleaned every last crevice. It looks brand new and you got it for a killer deal. I'm so proud of you for doing that, and so thankful for the thought that went into it, and for you cleaning it for me. I appreciate it more than you know! My house is definitely much cleaner now! Thank you, thank you.
Patching the holes in my walls: I had 6-8 holes in my walls. I lived in fear that my landlord would stop by and see them, and it was just plain embarrassing when friends came over. I even heard Ava lying about how they got there to her friends. You spent the entire day over at my house patching all of them. You did a great job. I bought you a cool tool for doing that for me, one that you could use to build me things with:) After you patched all of the holes I started painting and you showed up to help me finish up. In fact, that's the day I acquired your sweats, the sweats I wear literally every single day. You wore them over to paint and I thought they were way too nice to be painting in. So I stole them and now they have paint and holes and stains all over them! But they're comfy and they were yours..thank you for letting me steal them!