our first snow day // a love story

it was 5:00 in the morning and the sun hadn't even thought about rising on this blustery day.  a blaring ring on her phone helped open those groggy eyes to see that there would be no school today!  he took work off to make the day even better, and just as she turned over for a cuddle, they both heard their baby waking.  their favorite sound.

as they peered out the frosted window pains of their tiny bedroom with dark wood floors high up on the third floor they saw snow and only snow.  for it was blowing and covering every surface that dare stand in its unpredictable path.

a flood of ideas came to her at once, this blank canvas of a day was ready to to painted.  but with what color?  there were so many lovely ones to choose from.

collectively, they decided on a picnic.  but not just any picnic.  a pancake picnic in baby girl's nursery.  within the hour there was a warm pink afghan laid out on the floor, covered in miss matched tea cups, colorful cloth napkins, her cherished porcelain plates, and pumpkin spiced pancakes hot off the griddle.

it was going to be a perfect day...but she had no idea just how perfect.   she had no idea that her heart would swell with more love than she could have ever imagined.

a few hours later, after thumbing through some dr. seuss and taking hot showers, he told her excitedly to get on her green boots.  the ones that laced up the front and were extra cozy when lined with thick wool socks.  she was to wait in the living room with their baby and come down to get in the car in 5 minutes.  don't forget to lock the door behind you, he said with a charming grin.

she thought about 5 minutes were up and gathered their babe without the slightest idea of what was to come.  a movie date perhaps?  an impromptu lunch?  maybe we are going to see santa again?  all of the thoughts she would rapidly accumulate over the course of the next hour would be wrong.  completely and utterly off course.  for he had something in store that only fairy tales are made of.

on their way to his surprise designation, they picked up his father, who accompanied them in the back seat, babbling away with their daughter.  this added all sorts of intrigue to their afternoon plans, for what could they be doing now?  he said this little surprise would just be for the three of them, so understandably, she was quite confused.

further north they drove, until feelings of worry started to arise.  the roads were bad...  what on earth is there to do up here?  their baby was nodding off by this time and then he took an exit.  for the airport.

who were they going to pick up?  she thought at once.

it was but a few moments later that they reached the crowded terminal.  he got out of the front seat with a smile that made the creases in his forehead seem much more pronounced.  he opened up the back hatch and grabbed a small carry on.   where on earth...?  

hand in hand, they walked in the airport where they were met with a line that ribboned around luggage and winter coats for what seemed like an eternity.

all the flights were canceled that day. the storm that had so graciously given them the extra hour of sleep and the pancake picnic had taken away his surprise to her.  it was then that he explained what was going on.  what they were supposed to do that unforgettable afternoon.

you see that flight there, the one to colorado?  we were going to be on it.  us three and this carry on.  i put only pajamas, a board game, lots of diapers, baby girl's elmo, some movies, your contact stuff, and a few books inside.  there is a small log cabin in the mountains that was ours for a few days.  there would be nothing but a fire and our family, resting, relaxing, recharging, and, of course, cuddling.  i had it all planned.  we were going to order a pizza tonight and chop fire wood and play trivia.  and it was going to be perfect.

a small tear started to form in the corner of his eye and she had no words.  she just knew wanted to hold him.  she wanted to tell him how perfect he was and how much she appreciated his sweet surprise, despite the fact that they would not be going to colorado anytime soon.  after a few minutes of warm embrace in the midst of many disappointed families who were stranded, they exchanged soft whispers focused on everything but sadness and frustration.  together, they got back into the car headed for their tiny home up in the trees and they were happy. 

her heart grew three sizes for her love in a matter of seconds that afternoon.  just when she didn't think life could get any better it got magical.  they decided on burgers and beer for plan B, and boy was it ever good.  how could it not with a love like that?  they could have had leftover soup and had been just as smitten. 

//

this is a story i know we will share with our little ones as they grow older.  that one time when dad wanted to take his little family on a trip and surprise mom but it got canceled because of the big storm.

i love him so much.  and this journal of ours, it just a smidgen of a glance at how much he means to me.

happy holidays to you and your loves.  xx