Watching Him Smile…

I need an outlet for all this love, for I feel I might burst otherwise.

A Thursday morning with windows covered in icy rain. Both of our alarms went off at 6 am precisely, his a shrill “beep beep beep,” mine a very soft chiming of bells. I know, I know… two are a bit excessive. Typically we only use one. By the time I notice the delicate ding-ding to my right, Emil is already sitting upright and trying to get his eyes open. It's Emil's first day of self-employment. He passed his carpentry exam a week ago, YAYYYY (which is equivalent to a Red Seal in Canada). He already laid his working attire out last night, and I can feel his excitement about starting this new chapter. I doze off again.

The temporary steps on our staircase squeak as Emil makes his way down. “AHHHH,” he grunts as he stubs his toe on the kitty's food tray—no broken bones this time, but I'm awake now. I pick up my book and begin reading—eyes still very heavy. Since our move, I wake up feeling like I still need at least two more hours of sleep. A move takes so much energy. Next I hear the pumping of water and the steaming of milk. He brings a lovely hot coffee, just the way I like it, and a soft kiss upstairs and sits at the foot of the bed. Our kitty, who makes these cute squeaky sounds when jumping up or down our furniture, makes her way over here too and starts the helicopter purring engine. I watch Emil watching Feenja (our cat, sometimes also referred to as Ninja). His lips curl up, and laughter wrinkles appear around his eyes as he is amused by her actions. I just watch him, and I feel so flooded with the warmth of love for this one amazing man at the foot of our bed. I feel so, so lucky to be his teammate in this life. I feel incredibly grateful. He is such a giver, so caring, and so very loving. As I watch him, I can't help thinking this is the kind of man I hope for our sons to become and for our girls to fall in love with someday.

He glances at me with his big blue eyes filled with happiness and a soft sparkle. ✭

A beautiful Thursday morning.

May you also find depth in a small moment today and be so present that it becomes a big, beautiful heartbeat in time.

Xoxo Gaia