Today was just weird. But good?
Well I was putting away the clean dishes from the dishwasher this morning and my mom came in from the deck and asked me for a hug. She held me close, kissed my forehead, and then I pulled away and looked at her and saw tears in her eyes and she said, "Sometimes I just realize I love you so much I cry. I must be getting old, huh." I said, "No, it's just that your heart is full, that's all." And then I went back to putting away the dishes and she went back outside. Tonight my dad and I went for a drive to pick up something for the mower (I have recently become the lawn person in the family). Well anyway on the way to Charles Town, my dad just says, completely out of nowhere, "I've been thinking about when you fall in love and want to get married and your education." I said, "Dad, I am GOING to get my bachelor's. Don't worry. I won't sacrifice my education. It's important to me, and not just for practical reasons, like if my husband dies or something, but also because I really want my degree. I love to learn and I want that degree really badly." He was happy about that; he thinks it's really smart that my brother and sister-in-law (Justin and Amanda) are waiting to have children until they are both done with school. That's how I want to do it, too, and my Dad seemed pretty happy about that. Then I asked him, "Dad, are you really worried about me getting married soon? Like, next year?" And he said, "Well, I know that one of these days it's going to happen, and I just can't know if it will be soon, so I'm just thinking about it. I've decided that it only takes 2 weeks to fall in love. 2 weeks. That's my theory and I'm sticking to it." My dad is goofy. I like it. My parents love me a whole whole lot. Sometimes I forget that. And then sometimes it gently strikes me, like today, when they both show they care in their own little way. And also today was weird because I said goodbye to Ryjan, who is leaving on his mission tomorrow. And I was mowing the lawn tonight with my 2-year-old nephew in my lap. THAT was interesting. And cute. I love my family. Did you know that my lawn mower has headlights? Funny. And when do fireflies start popping up? Spring is the most wonderful time of year. I love it. Love it.