The other day, Danny asked me, very intently, what we were doing on Friday evening. Nothing, I told him. We had no plans, nowhere we had to be. And then he got the biggest grin on his face and said he wanted to go on a date with me on Friday night.

I don’t know how long it’s been since we planned a date night — got dressed up, headed to a favorite restaurant, kicked back with a glass of wine and a lengthy menu-perusal. Most of the time our nights out are spontaneous, the result of feeling too busy to cook, and almost always very casual. Our anniversary, in early November, might have been our most recent planned date. Danny seemed even more excited than I was about our date tonight.

But here it is, 6:45 p.m., and Danny is heading to a business dinner instead. When out-of-the-country business associates (who don’t speak English and need Danny to translate for them) come into town, it can be understandably hard to stop playing host because you wanted to get dressed up with your wife.

And this little beauty is a picture I drew in Microsoft Paint. Yes, that program still exists. No, I didn’t draw it because our date just got rain-checked; I didn’t even draw it recently, and I can’t remember why I drew it in the first place. I just thought you might like a physical representation of what it’s like — and we’ve all been there — when work puts fun-time in a headlock.
It’s okay though. I’m at home, sitting in front of my computer, working — and so grateful to be wrapping up such a wonderful, blessed week. That’s something Danny and I talk about daily: How much God has blessed our lives, and this business. He has made it possible for me to work full time, and for Danny to work with me, on something we’re both so passionate about, something we love, and love doing together.

So what is a normal/fantastic week like for me? Well, this past week there was a fabulous maternity and family shoot on Sunday. We booked two more couples for 2012 weddings. A friend contacted me to do a newborn session for her when her baby is born in the spring. I scheduled three fun shoots with three great local wedding professionals to help build their portfolios. I chatted with a couple of my 2012 brides, whom I love more and more with every conversation. Danny and I both sat in on a Sarah Petty Joy of Marking phone workshop and learned a lot. I got to put my Microsoft Paint sad face on the Internet for the whole world to enjoy. And on the personal side, Danny and I had dinner with my parents last night, I taught the devotion for my church’s middle school youth group, and tomorrow I’m going to sweet bride Kaci‘s wedding shower.

And today is my wonderful little mare’s birthday. Eight months after the vet expected her to die, she’s showing definite signs of improvement, and nickering to me every time I enter the stable, just as she has always done. Happy 19th birthday, Bravissima!

See, there’s too much to be thankful for to spend time fretting over one missed date. Besides, we’ve already rescheduled for Monday. It’ll be the perfect way to kick off the new work week.

So now I’m going to go scrounge up some leftovers or a can of soup and watch a little My Fair Wedding. Or Law and Order. Or whatever. It might not be a date — but it’s part of an entire life that is so much better than I deserve.

~ Laura