On Engagement and Wedding Rings

How do you feel about wedding rings? Are they merely a representation of love and commitment or a fashion statement? What about engagement rings? Do you favor a more classic and modest ring like the one former First Lady, Michelle Obama used to wear (apparently she got an upgrade after she left the White House)? Or, is bigger bling better as in the case of current First Lady, Melania Trump?

On Fourteen Years of Marriage

Some things you just never forget.

Like what it felt like to own my first car. But I'll also never forget the day I drove away in my second car. It was a used 1991 Honda Accord, and at the time, it was almost ten years old, but to me, it felt new. And exciting! I remember driving off the car lot and feeling a sense of joy and pride. Me and my car! We were going places, and I looked forward to the little things like taking it through the car wash, and driving to places like the grocery story was now no "ordinary" trip because, now, when I walked to my car, in the parking lot, I could admire it, once again, thinking...that's my car!  Over the years, my car and I developed a rhythm. We understood each other. I knew it needed it's regular maintenance, and I knew my limits with my old car. Like how it would almost tremble and slightly shake when I tried to push it to the limits of driving fast speeds.  But through it all, my little old car remained faithful and never left me stranded. Never.  Even when I had my doubts, my car always came through for me.

Being married for 14 years is kinda like that...

Pic of the Day - Dinner and Questions

I don't know about you, but I look forward to having someone else cook dinner for a change. There's just something about having good food (that I didn't make) that gets me excited. That, plus good company and thought provoking questions to mull over...

Collecting Moments 8

I haven't done it since I found out I was pregnant with Buddy Roller. That's more than six years ago, but a surprise early morning rendezvous got me on the court again, playing a game I love...

Treasure the Moments

My mother-in-law tells the story best.

Many, many, years ago, she spotted them from the window of her kitchen.  They were playing in her back yard. A teenager and his girlfriend.  They weren't doing anything special.  Just playing around, chasing each other...the young girl's long brown hair trailing behind her in the New England breeze. At one point, the young girl even climbs on her boyfriend's back, both laughing and delighting in each other. Young, naive and in love. And every time she tells the story, my mother-in-law reminds me how envious she was of those two teenagers.  Not in a bad way...but she realized then how special and rare their love was.

I've heard this story maybe four times in the last 26 years, and every time my mother-in-law tells it, I always end up feeling happy and nostalgic.  The Hubs and I...played a lot during our early years together.  In fact, I remember climbing up his back and sitting on his shoulders quite a bit.  Of course, I was a bit smaller and weighed less back then.

So, in honor of those early years...I climbed right up there on The Hubs' back. And the photo...courtesy of my mother-in-law who witnessed our budding love some 26 years ago.

Collect the moments. And treasure them.

On the Proposal

Since today is National Proposal Day, I'm reminiscing about The Hubs proposing to me almost 14 years ago...

On Taking on a New Last Name

Before I was Alicia Laman Cooke, I was Alicia Yolanda Laman!!!

I've always hated (sorry mom!) my middle name. So. When I got married, I was delighted at the chance to get rid of it, keep my maiden name as my middle, and take on The Hubs' name.

This got me thinking, though, not every marriage brings with it...the perfect new last name. Am I right, or am I right?

Advice for My Pre-Married Self

In a recent post on marriage, I gave a rather lame answer on what advice I would give my pre-married self. You can read about it here.

We all know that marriage is a ton of work. No duh! And. After giving it some serious thought, here's what I should have said...

Wedded Wednesday - Each One Teach One

One of the perks of being married to The Hubs is that he makes me a better person.  Even though the truth can sometimes hurt, he's never been afraid to tell me when I've messed up.  And ya'll, I've messed up many times. And you know what, I appreciate that about him. Who wants to be married to someone who never keeps you accountable, or who's always tiptoeing around your emotions afraid to get you upset. Not me.

One of the ways I'm learning from The Hubs is through his generosity. Whether it's time, doing good deeds, being kind, he's always giving. Take last weekend for example. He arranged for us to make some sandwiches to feed the homeless. And this isn't the first time he's done this either. He bought all the groceries and supplies, and then all three of us worked together to get everything ready.  I love that he's leading by example, and I love that Buddy Roller is right in the midst learning too.

Here are some pictures if you'd like to see...

Monday Humor

The New Yorker recently published some really funny poems about married people.

Which one do you think is the funniest?

What I Would Tell My Pre-Married Self

Last night The Hubs and I went out on a date...pre-Valentine's Day. I admire that he's really trying for us to "date," once a month, for a whole year.  And in case you forgot, here's where the idea started.

Our evening started at our church where they had a "night out" for married couples. We stayed for a little while, and then we headed out, in time, to make our reservations for dinner when the question came up...

Wedded Wednesdays - Who Do You Adore?

A wise man once said, "What you do speaks so loudly I cannot hear what you're saying." The notion...that our actions speak more than our words because we can all talk a good game, but it all comes down to what we actually do.

The Hubs uses this quote quite often.  But I've found that I've never heard these words more clearly than now...

There's a Ribbon in the Sky

Thirteen years ago, The Hubs and I said, "I do," before God and some of our closest friends and family, on a magical evening, 500 feet above sea level, on the beautiful island of Jamaica, in the Caribbean.  The sun, setting in the background, was the perfect backdrop as we celebrated into the night.

Our wedding song was There's a Ribbon in the Sky by Stevie Wonder, and I'm realizing now that that song is the perfect theme of our marriage...in more ways than one.

Date Night in Pictures

We each started with a blank canvas, and then we painted for the next few hours.  It was date night ya'll...

Strong Families Have Vision

I meditated this morning for 10 minutes. It's something I haven't done in a long time. It was good to clear my head, as there are so many thoughts running through my mind.

Does this happen to you? Do all the things you "have to do" plus all the things going on around you, keep you awake at night? I just wish I could shut off my thoughts.

And then I've also been reflecting on the sermon I heard last night...

Selflessness is the Key to Family Strong

I love my church.

It truly makes me a better person, and trust me, I've come a long way.  It teaches me how to navigate through life and be a better wife, mother, teacher, a better me.

The current series at my church is called Family Strong and it's just that...focusing on the things that make a family strong.

Wedded Wednesdays - Staying Connected

What's left after a very delicious dinner/date night at Goin' Coastal last week

Last month I had a very eye opening conversation with a colleague of mine. He and his wife were about to celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary, and he told me something that's had me reflecting ever since...

The Problem with Dining in a Booth

Classic NY Style Cheesecake at Hi Life Restaurant

Before kid (BK), The Hubs and I used to always sit, side by side, in a booth, having uninterrupted adult conversation, whenever we dined out. That all changed when Buddy Roller came along...

It's a Chalkboard Anniversary

I had intended to blog on the actual day of Chalkboard's anniversary. Guess I missed that date LOL! But as they say, it's better late than never.

I started this blog about a year ago, on February 5th, 2014, to be exact. I had been struggling, sometimes I feel like I still do, to juggle it all...being a wife and mother with a full-time demanding job as a teacher. I felt like I was losing myself, racing against the clock each day to get things done, only to wear myself out, and go at it the next day, and the next, and the next. I think a lot of moms can relate to this.

So I started this blog to carve out some time for me. To do something I enjoy doing.  Writing. Reflecting. It was a great decision! This blog has allowed me to write about many of the issues that are close to my heart...faith, family, marriage, motherhood, teaching, relationships, you name it, just life really, in general.

This blog has allowed me to record my life, my triumphs, and my fears.  It's been my sounding board, and a good friend. It's challenged me to face my fears and accomplish some of my goals.

As I reflect on this past year, I'm happy to see my growth, and I look forward to facing more challenges and growing in love, patience, kindness, forming new friendships and living, really, the best life possible.

This blog has been great therapy for me. I write it for me, but I'm thankful for my two faithful readers (the ones I know about anyway)...The Hubs and my mom!

Since it's my first anniversary, I can't help but look back at some of my most memorable posts.

Let's start at the very beginning, with my first post ever.  Where I'm From...

If you're new to this blog, here's more on me.

Here're some posts about motherhood, first day of school blues, balancing it all, how changing the monotony of things can be sweet, why we guilt ourselves, what to really expect when you're expecting, and the notion of how to get your girl back.

Here're a few posts about The Hubs, and how I knew he was the one.

On being a teacher, making a difference, and why I love summers.

I've written a few posts about my fears and overcoming them, and just going after the things that I've been afraid to.

Here're some posts about my BFSF (best friend and sister forever), and our time on the boardwalk.

Here's a special post about my father-in-law who visits us at least once every year from Jamaica.

I've really enjoyed this ride, and I hope you have too!

Do something amazingly different, and live your best possible life!