We are just finishing up a wonderful three-day visit with Sarah’s boyfriend, Gage.
On Halloween, they decided to go out to eat dressed up as a couple from the Pixar short film called Paperman.
Here’s the photo they were copying.
(Sarah added the following explanation: for the photo shoot, we had their costumes completed, paper airplanes and all, because we were about to go out on a date. In the screenshot from the short film that we replicated, the male character is not yet covered in paper airplanes, but we forgot about that fact until after the photo shoot.)
Here they are in a less sober pose. Notice that on Sarah’s airplane there is a lipstick kiss. You’ll have to watch the movie to figure out what that’s all about.
Sarah cooked dinner for Gage on Friday night and he jumped in and cooked and cleaned up right along with her. (These are my two favorite photos of the whole weekend.)
I grabbed a couple of photos of them coming into church yesterday morning.
Gage met a whole lot of interested members of the congregation since Sarah is “their girl” and they wanted to get a good look at her young man. He passed all inspections with flying colors.
One wonderful woman met him at the door wearing a clown nose and said, “Welcome! We’re all normal here.” I thought Gage would pass out from laughing.
One funny thing that happened was when Steve invited Gage to take Sarah out in his convertible.
While they were away Steve got a text from a church member who happened to pull up behind them at a light. She wrote to Steve:
“I guess you approved of this ride around town. LOL.”
We all got a good chuckle about that.
While Gage has many dozens of outstanding qualities, I have to say that my favorite thing about him is the way he treats Sarah. He affirms her, listens to her, and treats her like the treasure she is. What more could a mama ask for in her daughter’s boyfriend?
Even though our ultimate destination was to Wisconsin, we flew into the Minneapolis airport. My brother and his wife live just 20 minutes away and invited us to stay with them when we flew in and flew out.
Tim and Berit have the absolute sweetest dogs. (Just don’t tell Summer I said that.)
During our stay with them, I experienced one of the most contented hours I’ve had in a long time.
I went off driving near their house and happened upon a beautiful cemetery, wreathed in the brilliant colors of fall. The twisting, winding roads that wound through strands of trees were carpeted with lush layers of leaves.
On that bright, crisp morning, with no place I had to be and no important things I had to do, I just let myself be fully present in the moment. I didn’t worry about what was ahead of me or fixate on what was behind. I just breathed in deep lungs full of autumn air and contentment and let the peace of those moments fill my soul.
Here are a few photos from those magical sixty minutes.
(Click on photos to see full size; when done viewing, hit the escape button. If the pictures don’t show up, click in the empty space to view.)
What about you?
Do you remember your first boyfriend? What was your favorite thing about him? What was your least favorite thing? Did you end up marrying him?
What kind of moments fill up your soul?
Came by to check up on you all and particularly Sarah! Couldn’t ask for a better update. All the best for the holidays and stay safe.
Robin,
Thanks so much for dropping by! Happiest Thanksgiving to you and everyone you love.
And yes, we are definitely spending this Thanksgiving being thankful for all the good things going in Sarah’s life—and especially, the love she has found.
Forgot to add that I literally had tears in my eyes for Sarah and Gage. I have followed you since the Caringbridge days and to see this wonderful young woman enjoying life my heart almost full.
Deb,
Awwww. Thank you for saying that. I am touched that YOU were touched by the newly blossomed love of those two fabulous young folks.
First boyfriend….John. Met him when I changed to a church that had a Youth Group. We spent 3 years together and we chose colleges far apart and the relationship did not survive, although I will always wonder. We kept in touch until he passed at a young age. I married a John and we have enjoyed our life together.
My soul is filled with books, quilting and family. I also love giving the perfect gift and not always spending lots of money to make that happen.
Deb,
And the Johns have it! Funny that your boyfriend and husband shared the same name. So glad to hear you have enjoyed you and John’s years together. A good man is a treasure.
Books are one of the best things on this earth. Love them soooo much! And I’ve noticed that several readers mentioned it feeds their soul to find the perfect gift to give. I love the unselfish joy of that.
So happy for Sarah and Gage, they seem very relaxed together. So much joy there must be for you and Steve- to see her dig into her future with such confidence.
Lesley,
Relaxed, joy, confidence, future. Wonderful words!
Great pictures of Gage and Sarah. Again, your pictures are so comforting, and extremely interesting. My first boyfriend – Jimmy Rogers. Nope, not the 60’s singer!
Sharyn,
I’ve never had my photos be described as comforting before; that makes me happy to think of them that way.
And yes, Jimmy Rodgers is definitely not a name you would forget over the years. 🙂
I love the pictures of Gage and Sarah. They both look so happy and are completely comfortable together. I believe the the location he is visiting is one of complete romance, so I am sure they enjoy that. They seem like they are perfect for each other.
My very first boy friend I met in 10th grade and he was in eleventh. We dated through high school and four years of college. Six and one half years later we were married and will celebrate our forty sixth weeding ANNIVERSARY in June. I love the pictures you took on your trip. Just Beautiful.
Cathie,
Gage REALLY loved Manteo and the Outer Banks. You’re right–a perfect place to spend together.
What a great love story! High school sweethearts and married 45 years. LOVE it!!
Love the happiness that shines from Sarah’s and Gage’s faces (hope that’s proper grammar) and as always, your lovely pictures!
❤️ Deb
Deb,
Shiny happiness. That was the order of the day.
Glad you enjoyed the photos. I love taking pictures in MN and WI.
P.S. No we didn’t marry, but yes, I still remember his name (Joseph) and he grew up, became a lawyer and moved to Florida.
And I also enjoy the simple pleasures in life…
…a walk in the woods
…watching birds at the feeder
…making memories with family and friends
…being at a cabin (no tv, etc) in one of our state parks and enjoying nature, campfires and taking pictures
…finding some little thing I know someone would enjoy and surprising them with it “just because, for no reason and because it makes them happy”
.. sitting by the fire with cat or dog, watching it snow and/or reading a good book or cross stitching
I could go on, but you get the picture.
Hugs and blessings,
Linda in Pittsburgh
Linda,
I love how you added “with cat or dog” to sitting by the fire. Having an animal snoozing nearby just makes the whole experience a thousand times better.
I also enjoy giving (and receiving) “just because” gifts. Such a simple way to make someone’s day.
Sounds like we like a lot of the same soul-filling activities.
Becky,
Your eye for photography is amazing. The pictures are so lovely.
So happy for Sarah and Gage – they are so adorable together and you can tell they enjoy each other and life.
Blessings,
Suzanne
Suzanne,
Thank you for the compliment on my photos. I so enjoyed that wonderful hour of picture-taking.
Adorable is exactly the right word for Sarah and Gage. Love hearing them laugh together.
Hi Becky,
So glad that Gage’s visit went so well. They sure look like they were enjoying themselves…whether they were cooking at home, dressing up and going out or just hanging out you can see the joy they share by just being together. What a cute couple they make…So glad they found each other. It was also a great opportunity for you and Steve to observe their interaction and see.how well he treats and respects Sarah. It’s got to make your Mama heart sing!
Happy you had the family time in Minnesota to make more precious memories and that you had time to explore. Your photos, as usual, are awesome.
I guess my first boyfriend was the little boy in second grade who gave me a large card along with a rhinestone encrusted heart necklace for Valentines Day. The fact that the heart was plastic and on a ribbon didn’t make it any less special to me 😊
Hugs and blessings to you all,
Linda in Pittsburgh
Linda,
Well, anyone guy who gives you a rhinestone encrusted heart necklace for Valentine’s Day (never mind the plastic and ribbon) is a winner in my book.
Your memory made me smile.
What spectacular photos!! Thank you for sharing them. We don’t get such vivid colors here in Texas and I sure do miss them. I’m so happy Sarah (and family) had a fun weekend visit from Gage. Hope y’all have a wonderful week!!
Sue Ellen,
So happy you enjoyed the photos. So many memories of a happy day included in each one.
Yes, I would miss those colors too if I lived in Texas, but your state definitely has its own sort of beauty.
I met my first boyfriend when we were both in 9th grade, we were both way too shy to say a word to each other so we just smiled at one another for a year, finally one of his friends said oh this is ridiculous and introduced us face to face….very embarrassing…anyway ,.we dated for about a year and then remained life long friends….we are both 64 now and stay in touch through occasional e-mails and Christmas cards….he actually lives with his family in Ellsworth, WI.
Dale,
What a sweet and funny story!
Smiling at each other for a year? Wow. I’m glad the friend finally stepped in and introduced you. That is just too funny. And I love that after that year of smiling (and subsequent) you remained life long friends. Wonderful story!
Beautiful pictures. So happy Sarah was so wise in her pick of a beau. Yes, I remember my first boyfriend. I met him briefly when I was 15. A year later, I ran into him again at our local park (I was playing basketball lol). He asked me out and my immediate response was, “You’ll have to come meet my parents before I can do that.” He immediately agreed. We did date for a long time, but just wasn’t right. Did love his Corvette and Mustang though!
Guerrina,
Trust you to remember your boyfriend’s cars with so much fondness. 🙂
Good for you for making him come home to meet your parents before dating!
Your pictures in Wisconsin are beautiful.
I think my first boyfriend was when I was a freshman in high school. Don’t remember much past who he was. Didn’t marry him.
What fills my soul – a good book, watching it rain or snow if I don’t have don’t have to get out in it.
Steve must really trust Gage if he let him drive his convertible!
Phyllis,
Glad you enjoyed the photos.
I am right there with you on watching it rain or snow if you don’t have to go out. One of the coziest feelings in the world.
Steve loves watching others enjoy his car so he was thrilled that Gage wanted to drive it.
Becky, your photos are so pretty and I love seeing your perspective. Sarah seems to be just beaming and looks incredibly happy. I’m so glad that Gage is a gentleman and treats her so well.
I do remember my first boyfriend. I was in high school so I was pretty young. He was good looking and we laughed a lot. We had fun together and enjoyed school activities, dances, etc. but then kind of went our own ways after graduation.
Quiet time at home. Fresh autumn air. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets. Hugs from my grandchildren. Christmas music. Singing in the church choir. These are just a few of the many, many things that fill up my soul.
Lee Anne,
Yes, Sarah is definitely very, VERY happy. So good to see.
I love your list of things that fill your soul. Isn’t amazing how it’s just the simple things, and not necessarily some expensive purchase or exotic trip? Souls love simplicity.
Becky, two of the things that give me peace are baking and sitting on the back porch watching the birds and squirrels. Today a squirrel climbed up the apple tree and picked the last apple. He ran across the front yard and buried it in a pile of leaves. Little did he know Dave will be bagging them up to put them out for trash pickup. Today I also made a cheesecake, my arm is gaining back it’s old strength. I am so pleased to have physical therapy here at home, it is a lot of work that is paying off. My therapists are wonderful and fight over who will get to work with me each week. It seems most of their patients don’t follow through with their exercises. I still am not driving, but hopefully soon.
You were probably only an hour away from where I live in MN. The fall leaves were lovely, there are a lot more trees where I live now.
Cindy,
Yes, birds and squirrels can be so entertaining. Sorry to hear the squirrel is going to be disappointed when he goes back to look for his stashed away apple! I’m sure had had big plans for that apple!
Glad your arm is feeling better and you’re getting back to cooking. You are SUCH a great cook.
And good for you for being the one the therapists fight over. That must make you smile. It’s such a great feeling to put a lot of work into something and really see it pay off. Keep it up!
What a great visit you all had with Gage! I’m so happy that Sarah is happy. He looks like he just loves life!
Love the photos of the cemetery. Funny, I enjoy meandering around a cemetery and most everyone thinks that’s just odd. But I enjoy looking at the names and other info on the graves and wonder about them. Plus, it’s usually so quiet and a great place to let your mind wander.
I also enjoy getting lost in a good book. I don’t have much free time, but when I do, a book is involved.
Also, my 5 year old fills my soul. I so enjoy watching life through his eyes.
Blessings to you all!
Krista,
Yes, cemeteries are definitely wonderful places for reflection and thinking. I’m glad I am not the only one who is drawn to them.
I’m right there with you on a good book. One of the true pleasures of life is to have an extra hour just to sit down and read. And of course, our kdis are the very best for showing us life through new eyes.
I was impressed with how “at ease” Gage was. He seems to know himself well so is comfortable being himself.
Great Question: What moments fill my soul? A deep conversation, a solitary walk at sunrise or sunset, a new insight from scripture, and giving the perfect gift!
Greta,
Yes, Gage is definitely comfortable in his own skin, something I truly admire about him.
I loved your “giving the perfect gift” reply. That’s something I never would have thought of but it is so, so true. There is a joy like no other when you find the exact thing someone wanted . . . especially when they didn’t even know they wanted it.
Blessings, friend!
Lovely pictures:) Glad to hear the visit wentwell 🙂
I want to stay single for the rest of my life. I also
do not want children. What I do want one day is my own black cat called Luke 🙂 or Leia if it is a female
I love a great time in the cinema. I also love a good chai latte. I enjoy sunsets. And a good book.
Katrina,
Glad you enjoyed the photos.
How fun that you already have your cat names picked out. Now it’s just a matter of find the cat that matches the names.
Books are the best; I guess it would be really great to read at sunset while drinking a chai latte! 🙂