Friday, June 21, 2013

Focusing on Life :: You Are

This week Sally's prompt for Focusing on Life is to finish the sentence 'You are ...." She asked us to think about what kind of a person we are. If you could only pick one word, what would your's be? 

I've been thinking about that all week, and it just isn't that easy. But I've finally decided on the word unconventional. When I think about the things that define my life, that is the theme. I wouldn't confuse that with more traditional things. I did take my husband's name because I wanted all of us (my kids, my husband and I) to have a family name. 

But some of the choices my husband and I have made are unconventional. I work full time, and he stays home with the kids. We didn't mean for that to happen, but when my oldest was born I had the boring, steady job with good insurance. He had the better paying, interesting job in high tech, but his work was on a contract basis. So he quit and we made do on my salary. Don't get me wrong, there are many, many days when I wish we could trade places. But we're just too far down this path to make that change. We both felt strongly about one of us staying home with the kids. It is just how it played out for us.

Last week I told you about my two rings, and mentioned that there was another story behind the diamond ring. So when we got married, we exchanged simple wedding bands. That is because we wanted a simple wedding. We got married by the justice of the peace up in wine country. It was the dead of winter (December) and pouring rain. I wore green velvet (that first pic is us on our wedding day). As many of you know, my favorite color is green. We planned everything over the course of 3 months .... so there was no running off in the night. It was just how we wanted to do it. But perhaps I should back up one more step. Late Summer, I was planning a trip down to see my sister who lives in New Zealand. As I was completing my plans I said to my then boyfriend, "so am I going by myself? or are you coming? because either way I'm going." He decided that he did want to come with me. And then as we started to plan out all the places to visit we realized that for a mere extra $100 we could stop off in Fiji. Sign me up! The more we talked about it, the more we realized that we were planning a very romantic trip, and commented on what a great honeymoon Fiji would be. We looked at each other and said, 'let's do it."  So we planned our honeymoon before the wedding. But that is our life. We love to travel, so we tend to plan around places we'd like to visit. (Picture of our island in Fiji and a picture of my sister and me in NZ)

Ok, the diamond ring. We had been married 5 years at this point. I was roughly 38 weeks pregnant on our 5th anniversary. We decided to celebrate by going out to dinner. We were at a 'cozy' little restaurant in San Francisco (where we lived at the time). You know the kind of place where the tables are all right next to each other with a bench that lines the back wall across all the tables. A couple with their kids sat next to us. The woman was a serious Nosey Parker telling everyone what to do, what to order, reaching across the table to cut someone's meat. She saw my husband pull out a little velvet box and slide it toward me. She audibly gasped. She nearly yelled "he's going to ask her to marry him!" The look on her face was sympathy that he was going to make me an 'honest woman.' We both shot her a glare and my husband said, "we've been married for 5 years and this is our anniversary, as if it is any of your business."  You could see the relief on her face that I was not having this child out of wedlock. Now it makes me giggle when I slide on my ring and think of that bossy stranger interrupting my moment. It is par for the course of my unconventional life. 

35 comments:

  1. I enjoyed reading about your unconventional life this week and the pictures sure complemented your narrative.

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  2. Your life story is not so unconventional, we had our "trip of a lifetime" the year before we were married, and just celebrated 33 years! Your's is a sweet and adventure-filled one!

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  3. wow one word, that is a toughie. I love that you are unconventional. Love the photos too. Thank you for sharing at the hop xo

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  4. Hahaha...I love the story about the nosey woman. That is hilarious!

    You've been to Fiji? I am soooo envious! It's a dream trip for me. I don't know if I'll ever make it there, but it's on my top ten list. Is it as beautiful as I think it is?

    Being unconventional is a wonderful thing to be. No cookie cutter living for you!

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  5. the best post i have read here (and there have been many!!!) :-D

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  6. LOL - I think we could have been sisters somewhere in another life! I am still laughing broadly at your post - and thinking my own road is so incredibly alike yours.
    Unconventional is a good word when used right - and you did it justice :)

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  7. Haha! Love the ring story! I think it's wonderful how you're unconventional because everything that's happened sounds perfect and makes for a much more interesting life! There is one thing though - where's the word "State" on that sweatshirt? :)

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  8. Geeez.. that was one nosey lady. Thanks for sharing your story.

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  9. What a great story! I have to go back and read your green post, I got behind last week!

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  10. Such wonderfully sweet stories. I think I would say you are "inspired by the moment" as it sounds like you both follow your hearts pretty darn nicely

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  11. Being unconventional is so much more fun than being normal!! I truly enjoyed the stories!

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  12. You are a delight Cynthia, and enjoyed your sharing of your unconventionalness(is that a word?). Great story about your hubby shutting that woman up! Good for him.

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  13. Its good not to let other peoples expectations rule your life! Great post ;)

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  14. Beautiful story, dear friend!!!
    Have a wonderful weekend!!!

    Besos, desde España, Marcela♥

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  15. A lovely blog post - I enjoyed reading about your unconventional life and the photos that go with it.

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  16. Loved your post and reading about your "unconventional" life. It is great to get a glimpse inside an individual. You are a very interesting person Cynthia!

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  17. This was a great read! Fiji would definitely be a wonderful place for a honeymoon!
    Glad your hubby gave that Nosey Nellie her comeuppance!

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  18. Glad to see someone elses green 'wedding' dress... although it looks blue on my computer monitor! Our wedding was planned around the honeymoon too as I was taking a second univ degree so we had to get married the friday before spring break! Fiji would have made a much warmer honeymoon than skiing at Sunshine!

    If it wasn't for that woman that ring wouldn't have nearly as much meaning!

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  19. What a great read!!! I love that you are unconventional. I grew up in a very conventional household so this is very refreshing.

    This has been the most difficult assignment so far for me, but you executed it so perfectly!

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  20. Cynthia I am glad to hear that I am not the only unconventional person here. Most women don't know anything about cars but restoring classic cars is what I did full time since 1990. Your ring story is great.

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  21. What a fun post. And I love your word: Unconventional. I would say I fit that title pretty well myself :)
    Normal is boring!

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  22. I already knew you were fantastic, but that ring story makes me think your husband's pretty great, too. Gotta love a guy with a good sense of humor who's quick on his feet!

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  23. Just as I was about to tear up, you had me grinning ear to ear!! Love this story and hearing about your 'unconventional' life - which is pretty awesome if you ask me! I so hope we can meet some day - you're just a hoot Cynthia!! ;-)

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  24. Thanks for sharing your 'unconventional' life story! I am glad it has worked out for your guys! You had me laughing at your husband shutting that woman up!

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  25. Oh, I hate those loud, nosy people in restaurants!! But, I do love this story. . .and your unconventional-ness.

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  26. Funny how what started out as "unconventional" is not so unconventional now. We know several men that stay home especially after the economy tanked.
    That was funny about the ring and that lady.

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  27. I love that you sum up your life style as unconventional. Your stories are great too. I really enjoyed the diamond ring story. Thanks for sharing with us.
    ~Ema

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  28. Good for you guys, that one of you stayed at home with the kids! I think that's missing these days! I love the story about your ring! People are nosey!! I like the word unconventional ;o) It's not boring ;o)

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  29. Super wonderful post! And this is why I think you and I are good friends, I like unconventional too :)
    Loved all the pictures!

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  30. Well, your story was just the pick-me-up that I needed tonight. So sweet!

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  31. I love this post Cynthia. Unconventional is so much better than conventional. The stay at home dad is become much more common these day. My parent's next door neighbor is a stay at home dad to 3 little girls. He is a amazing with them. I hope you and your family have many more years of unconventional happenings!

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