Honey, We're Home

This was my thought when Luke and I returned from a weekend trip up north, the first in a series of four, as there are baby showers to cry over (quick shout-out to Molly and baby Jack!), Chuck E. Cheese parties to attend, turkeys to eat, and parental birthdays to celebrate. And as wonderful as all of those things are, there's still nothing like unlocking the door to your apartment, tossing your duffel bag over the thresh hold, and breathing a sigh of relief that you're finally off the road and alone with the one you love.

However, before heading home, the two of us ventured to Super Target and obtained our first "our," an "our" that, prior to Sunday night, was neither his nor mine nor a hand-me-down from a sibling nor a rental car from Enterprise: our first Christmas tree. It's not very big--only four-and-a-half feet and most likely a distant relative of Charlie Brown's little friend--but there's something particular about this "our" that brings home the realization that, wedding rings or not, we have made a home together. I get chastised for picking at the shredded cheese originally meant for tacos, and my disdain for all bread that is not Mother's All Butter will one day be the reason why I'm still single. Until then, we'll continue to argue over whether or not Clorox disinfectant wipes are any better than a roll of Brawny and a bottle of Windex.

This Christmas, the stockings won't be hung at "my" apartment, and there won't be lights in the windows at "Luke's." Instead, we'll be choosing Christmas cards and buying presents and decorating our tree with ornaments that will one day spark countless arguments between our children, all of whom will no doubt fight to the death for mementos from the first Christmas Mom and Dad spent under the same roof. And when we run out of ornaments, they'll have to settle for our vault of stories, stories about how their father used to wait in the wings for me to return from work so he could take candid shots like this one in the hallway:

 

...and about how Mom was so excited to start a family with Dad that she cried over other people's babies. Then the youngest one will snuggle into my arms and poop in my lap. Ah, the good life.

I can't wait.

Comments

[Sambo V.]

You've inpsired me to get a move on decorating! I'm so happy for you and Luke's special 1st anniversary of "ours". How fun! Dan and I are also working on our real 1st "ours" anniversary. By the way, you are making me really anxious to be an auntie. ;)

[Mark]

My teeth are rotting from the overflowing sweetness of that post. :)

[Number Twelve]

I'm with Mark, and now you see it's spreading because I just did a superduper sweet post on my blog. Must be that Christmas spirit... congrats on your first tree. Aaaaahh

[Becky]

awwww, Bree..... what a sweet post. That makes me so happy for you and Luke. But it also made me realize that this will be my first Christmas on my own. Congrats to you guys on your tree - how fun!

[Anonymous]

Girls, you better get by mom and start fighting over the ornaments.Mom just bought her first pre lite tree. I think the old tree is going to Auntie Donnas.She was just talking about new ornaments because the older girls will want. Have lots of fun this xmas. love A.B

[PaintingChef]

That walk into the door and setting everything down in your own space again after a road trip is the GREATEST feeling! Love it!