Wordless Wednesday

Yes, this really is what she wears when she goes out in public. And there is NO changing her mind! At least she'll never be accused of being a wallflower...

For more Wordless Wednesday, head over to 5 Minutes for Mom!

Winter Wardrobe Project #1

Well, we're trying to buckle down here at the Loving house and, of course, one big way to do that is in our area of clothing purchases. With two girls and winter approaching, this is the time when we spend the most on clothes. Thankfully, Ivy has Kai's old winter wardrobe which pretty much has her covered. But, Kai has outgrown alot of her clothes. Of course, there is no way I'll be able to make all her new outfits, but I thought I'd try to make some.

She specifically requested skirts and dresses this year. She's my girlie-girl so I'm gonna try and deliver. My biggest fear, is making her look like a pilgrim child in homemade crappy clothes. But, my plan is to get creative and come up with some fun stuff for her.

Project #1:

Refashioned Mermaid Skirt

I actually bought this skirt last year at a thrift store for part of a Halloween costume. It was $3 and I ended up not using it so I put it in my "someday-I'll-find-a-use-for-this-fabric" pile. And, today I found a use for it.

Before:



After:


(Notice the pose? It's freaking me out. I kept asking her to pose normal and she said "I am posing normal!" Maybe for a contestant on America's Next Top Model...)

Things we learned at the county fair

Last week we went to the good old county fair. Just another reason Fall is my favorite time of year! And, while we were there we learned a few important lessons...



1. Just because you're tall enough to get on a ride doesn't mean you're ready.

Kai made up her mind that she absolutely positively could not go one more second of her life without being on the swinging pirate ship ride. After insisting on getting on it and paying her 3 tickets to the slightly scary carnival ride technician, she was seated on the ride between her Aunt Tee Tee and Uncle Jared. And, then, she determined that this very ride might just be the end of her. And proceeded to scream bloody murder the entire time. This picture is taken just minutes after she got off the ride (and I promise her daddy was comforting her thus making it less despicable that I snapped a picture of her in her traumatic state).


2. Kiddie rides are perfect for...kids. Unlike the aforementioned grown-up rides.

After the disaster described above, we managed to talk Kai into riding on one of the kid rides and she was much happier. In fact, both of the girls loved them and managed to charm the ride operator into a free ride!

3. If you are pregnant and eat a giant turkey leg, corn dog, french fries, diet coke, funnel cake and fresh squeezed lemonade, you will throw up the next morning. Guaranteed.

Umm...enough said.

Can I get a Hallelujah?!

Well, friends, we have a tenant in our rental property and that is excellent news right now. It's a great tenant and a situation we are really happy with.

So, thanks for all your thoughts and prayers 'cause God really answered this one in a big way at the most perfect time!

Marital Mind Meld

Thomas and I have been married six and a half years. And, while that may not sound like a long time to be married, let me tell you, folks, it can be.

We got married young amidst some family turmoil (that's another post for another day), survived some serious bumps in the road and we've been through much in our 6.5 years.

We've had some low lows and some great highs. We're very different people but largely on the same page. And though it may be a silly story, I can think of one story to illustrate how often we operate on the same wavelength.

About a year ago we were at a weekend retreat with our married couples small group. During a fierce game of Cranium Pop Culture in which Thomas and I were on the same team, we reached the pinnacle of same-mindedness. It was a beautiful and glorious moment.

The category was celebrities. Thomas chose the letter cubes to convey the clue on his card. He rolled a C. And, then, he looked at me knowingly and said, "Cumin!"

And, what was the first thing out of my mouth 2 seconds later? "The Spice Girls!"

It was a total Vulcan Mind Meld moment. And, ah, sweet victory.

I don't know whether we won the game (it's doubtful) but we did win a reputation for obscure spice knowledge and the ability to read each other's mind.

Total Truth Tuesday

Have I mentioned I am a lifelong insomniac? I totally understand where Kai gets it from.

But, over the years I've come up with a creative solution for solving my insomnia troubles. It doesn't work all the time, but it is amazing how often it does work. And, it's weird and slightly embarrassing, so that is why it's this week's Total Truth Tuesday.

On nights when I can't sleep, I sleep in the opposite direction. Meaning, my feet at the headboard and my head at the footboard. Weird, I know.

My poor husband has woken up more times than he cares to admit with my feet in his face. But, if I absolutely can't sleep there is just something about switching positions that does the trick almost immediately.

In fact, it is some of the best sleep I ever get. I LOVE sleeping in the opposite direction. Have for years. And, I'm fairly certain this is not a common practice for "normal" people. Not that I have ever claimed to be normal...

Kai-versations: Short story long...

Okay, so I generally like to keep things lighthearted here. Because, I figure just like me everyone has some yucky crap going on in one or more areas of their life and no one wants to come here to be reminded of how crappy things are in our economy.

So, I write about chasing chickens and kids who use Sharpies for body modification. But, this last week has been so bad that I can't tell my Kai-versation without at least explaining a little.

I think I've mentioned most of it (or at least alluded to it) but here's the deal. It's Thomas' slow season at work. Except, this year, its a dead season. Which means, for now, we're living on maybe a quarter of his regular income. And, we're soon to be paying two mortgages because the house we couldn't sell two years ago and have since been renting no longer has a tenant (they broke their lease unexpectedly). And, oh yeah, I almost forgot, we're pregnant and have no maternity insurance. Which means we're paying cash for a c-section (that is if we still have cash once it's time for the baby to be born).

Each of these things on its own I could handle. And, if I just put on my big girl panties and shut up I could probably handle them all together. But, last week I just melted down. Bad. I'm blaming it on pregnant hormones and I dare you to argue with me...

I melted down in a "where are you, God?!" kind of way. And, actually, rather publicly, too. Which is embarrassing. The worst part is that Kai had to hear it. Well, she wouldn't have had to if her mom had acted like a grown-up, but she did hear it.

So, later in the weekend (post meltdown) we were grocery shopping and she suddenly called me over to the cart.

Kai, in a loud whisper: "Mom! Come here! I have a secret I'm supposed to tell you!"

I was kind of expecting her to tell me a secret like Deebai and Heehaw invented pickles or something equally silly, but I got this instead.

Kai, still whispering: "God is very powerful and He can do anything that you ask Him to."

Then she smiled sweetly and went back to torturing her sister in the grocery cart. She left me speechless and kind of stunned in the middle of the Kroger aisle. It's not like I'd never heard that before, but coming so unexpectedly from my 4-year-old it kind of threw me for a loop. I don't know what prompted her to say that, but I do know that it was exactly what I needed to hear at that moment and that her childlike faith did my heart more good than anything else I experienced this weekend.

That, I think, is why God gave me this girl. And, I am so thankful He did.

Mean Sister...

Here's what happens when the baby sister gets revenge!

(and on a side note, my whole house does NOT look like this playroom. i promise. the playroom is the girls' room where they can paint on walls and generally make as big a mess as they want. that way it stays in one room as opposed to the whole house...)

Just when I think I can't take it anymore...

Yesterday was beyond horrible. In fact, words can't even describe how horrible it was. But, I'll try.

I'm pregnant and hormonal and sick with some horrible respiratory infection and Thomas' job has slowed down suddenly and he got 8 hours as opposed to 40 hours (he's a contract designer) and my house is a MESS and my kids won't nap and then in the middle of it all Ivy poops on the floor and proceeds to dance in it. And I think. That's it. I'm moving away. And, I'm giving the kids to my mom.

Then I have a Diet Coke and get a really good Greek salad and things start to feel better. But, it's when I get this photo CD in the mail that I think, "awww...look at that family. they are so happy." and I realize how blessed I am.

So, I've decided to give it another try today. Wish me luck.







(BTW, these pics were taken by the AMAZING Kyle Hale here in Atlanta. Seriously, people, if you are in the ATL and you need photography done you have to call this guy. His prices are insanely good and his quality is, well, you can see. He does a beautiful job.)

How to Make a Rain Stick

Since we're studying the weather, I've been looking for some cool weather related craft ideas for Kai to do. One of the coolest ones I found was the Rain Stick craft. It was easy, fun, and not something that made a big huge mess in my dining room (not that I'm opposed to big huge messes in the name of creativity).

It didn't turn out stunningly beautiful (it's the process not the product, right?) which, of course, could be because we didn't quite follow all the instructions. But we did have a fun time making the rain stick and it lasted a whole 48 hours before being completely destroyed by my kids.

Supplies Needed:
Duct Tape, Paper Towel Roll, Scissors, Rice, Toothpicks, Paper, Stickers, Paint, Ribbons, etc. (and one super cute kiddo!)

Trace the ends of your paper towel roll (or 3 toilet paper rolls) and cut out small circle to create a cap on each end.

Seal up one end by taping the cap down onto the paper towel roll.

Insert toothpicks at various locations/angles on the rain stick.

Add rice to the tube and seal up remaining end.

Break off ends of toothpicks and wrap tube in duct tape.

Add stickers, paint, glitter, and ribbons.
Shake it up and enjoy the sounds of the rain!

Wordless Wednesday

Last year at this time...





We were hanging on the beach in Hawaii. Visiting Thomas' family. Getting tan. And soaking up the beach bum life.

What I wouldn't give to be back there right now.

(and yeah, I know this isn't technically wordless. Sorry...)

Total Truth Tuesday

Yeah, I've got nothing here, people. Either I have shared all my deep dark secrets or I'm just in denial about them. Either way, I guess I'll have to do some soul searching and muster up some dirt by next Tuesday.

So, if you're feeling it and want to bare your soul, share your own Total Truth today. If you're feeling brave, you can share it on your blog and leave a link or share it in the comments.

In the meantime, I promise to get to the bottom of both my deep-seated and really shallow issues and fess up next week!

It must be a cold day in you-know-where...

cause guess who's blogging? Yep, my husband.

Okay, so it's only a couple posts. And he hasn't finished his design yet (remember people, we're dealing with a card carrying graphic designer/design snob so this could take YEARS) but he has set up a blog and is actually promising to post.

You'll want to check it out because he's definitely funnier and smarterer* than me and he's got a great perspective on everything from everyday life to eternity.

check out www.ramblingrafifi.blogspot.com to hear what my better half has to say about life, the universe, and everything...

(and, yeah, I know. I just liked the way it sounded.)

Because I have a highly developed sense of humor...

I have been laughing at this all day.



Forgive me. It's been a crappy Monday.

Kai-versations: Great. What's next? A Pre-K Existential Dilemma?

Kai: "Mom, are we real?"

Me: "What do you mean, Kai?"

Kai: "I mean, are we real or are we just living in a book or a fairy tale or something?"

Me, thinking that's an incredibly philosophical question for a 4-year-old: "No, we're real Kai. See (showing her my hand) our bodies are really here. We aren't in a story."

Kai, thinking: "Are you sure? 'Cause we might be people in a fairy tale."

Me: "No, sweetie. We're real. Our lives aren't the same as stories. We are really here."

Kai, unconvinced: "Yeah, well how do you know for sure? The people in books probably think they're real, too."

I'm starting to doubt my intellectual qualifications for raising this girl, but I'm pretty proud of that brain of hers...

A Farmer I Am Not

Seriously, what was I thinking with these chickens? Would anyone care to enlighten me?

'Cause these stinkin' birds are driving me out of my ever-loving mind.

We've had a problem with the birds lately. They do not want to stay put in the coop/pen. At first we thought there was a predator of some sort getting in and munching on our fine feathered ladies. But, after today I'm not so sure.

It started when Kai declared forlornly that there were only 3 chickens in the pen this morning. (Yesterday there were 4.) I went out and surveyed the scene of the crime and determined that there was no wandering fowl in the yard so something mysterious must have happened again. Because I had about a million things going on and didn't feel like playing "Nancy Drew and the Mystery of the Vanishing Red Hen" I decided to leave it to Thomas to deal with.

But, the chicken had other plans. 'Cause yesterday when I got home I heard a distinctive "squawk, squawk bagawk" in the carport. And, lo' and behold, when I looked into the side yard I did see our most recent escapee. And, it was at that moment that I knew it was going to be a bad day. Because, people, have you ever actually tried to catch a chicken? No? Yeah, well, it is not as easy as it sounds.

See, you think to yourself, "These are chickens. They are small and not so smart. And, really, how fast could they be, right?" But, friends, you would be underestimating the speed of such a small bird. Because these chicks can freaking run like the wind.

And that is how I ended up spending my afternoon running through the yard chasing a chicken while simultaneously yelling at begging my children to "getbackinthehousethisveryminute."

There was a moment after the full on belly flop to the ground in an attempt to catch the bird but before climbing into my neighbor's hedge to chase the hen back onto our own property that I realized just how ridiculous I looked. And, then I did the most un-farmerly thing possible.

I reached into my back pocket to get my Blackberry and Googled "how to catch a chicken." Oh yes, I did.

But, alas, the always helpful WikiHow failed me mightily and I was unable to catch that incredibly fast and wiley hen. It had great advice for how to catch a chicken, but that was assuming you actually got to catch up with the chicken.

Later, my husband did come home and save the day by chasing her out of our neighbor's yard and into her rightful home (while clad in his suit pants and dress shirt of course). And it made me wonder if our neighbors just sit around and watch us humiliate ourselves in the yard all day. They probably don't even need cable.

Have I mentioned...

what Kai thinks we should name the baby? She is quite opinionated about it.

Last month, she had names from American Gladiators. A girl, she declared, would be called Helga. A boy, The Wolf.

But, then she grew up and moved on to more, um, political names. Guess it's a sign that we've had way too much Fox News on lately.

'Cause if we have a girl she wants to name her Condoleezza. And, if it's a boy she wants to name him...Bush. Bush Loving. Think about it a moment. Bush Loving.

Stop giggling. Can you imagine? Do you realize the beatings that child would get on a playground with that name? Yeah, I'm thinking we're going to avoid that name like the plague.

Though I suppose it's better than Peter or Richard Loving. But, not by much...

What I've learned from my first homeschool month

1. Homeschooling freaking rocks! Don't make fun of me. We are really loving it!

2. Scheduling minute by minute is definitely not my thing: I tried using a lesson plan book and scheduling every single second of the day. But, freaking out because we are 2 minutes late for "snack time" is too stressful to be worth it. I'm thinking that making a list of objectives for the day is a much more productive and Loving family appropriate way to do this. We just don't do well with overscheduling.

3. I'm more organized than I thought I was: I found some awesome organizers and record keeping sites for homeschoolers/unschoolers and it has helped me to recognize and record just how much we are doing at home. It is amazing to see how much education a child unintentionally receives over the course of the day.

4. I'm definitely a homeschooling/unschooling hybrid: I don't fit into one category. **Shocking, I know!** But, I have come to think I am definitely some kind of cross between these two styles. I need a bit more structure than some of the hardcore unschoolers and yet I just can't embrace the whole single curriculum/home classroom model either.

In the end, we've ended up having a learning objective list for the week and the month with activities, worksheets, books, videos, and field trips planned throughout the month. We do alot of hands on activities and not so many work sheets. We're learning math at the park, science through art projects, and history through story books. We're learning traditionally and unconventionally and we're really enjoying every minute of it.

5. It's seems to be about finding your child's rhythm: Kai tends to pay better attention in the morning to subjects like math and science. Worksheets that are going to be done for the day need to be done then. But, afternoons she's more creative and experimental and those hands-on projects are best saved for after our "siesta" time. Any extracurricular classes that require paying lots of attention we do in the a.m., but ballet/tap/physical activities are best planned for later in the afternoon to help her work off energy and settle down for the evening. Of course, rhythm can be fickle and we are learning to be flexible to what her daily needs are.

6. I have very little figured out. As with any journey into education, I think half of the experience is realizing how little you really know. There is so much I am figuring out and I am in awe of those career homeschoolers who have been doing it for years. I don't know know how long we'll do this. I don't know whether all of our kids will be a fit. I don't know whether or not I'll ultimately be able to pull off everything that is involved. But, I do know that for now it is working and that we'll keep it up as long as it is...

Total Truth Tuesday

This one is particularly appropriate since I just got back yesterday from my Grandpa's funeral.

I think melancholy can be so delicious.

Maybe it's my love for poetry and literature, or because I am an emotional mess, but I have a tendency to experience melancholy alot. And its a big word that encompasses so many emotions, but my favorite one is the one that comes upon me after a certain song, poem, scent, or feeling and wraps me up in a memory or a possibility. I love to wade deep into that feeling.

Truly, I think melancholy gets a bad rap because good melancholy can make me want to just sit, quietly, and listen to Natalie Merchant with my windows open and the summer breeze gently stirring the house. It makes me want to lounge around drinking wine and smoking cloves (which I haven’t done since college). In fact, for whatever reason, melancholy tends to remind me so much of college.

One of my favorite poets, Li-Young Lee, wrote something about memory and reminiscence (which, for me, brings on that feeling). The poem is “Braiding” and if you haven’t read it I highly recommend picking up his book, Rose. It's a long poem, but my favorite part says,

“Last night the room was so cold
I dreamed we were in Pittsburgh again, where winter
persisted and we fell asleep in the last seat
of the 71 Negley, dark mornings going to work.
How I wish we didn’t hate those years
while we lived them.
Those were days of books,
days of silences stacked high
as the ceiling of that great, dim hall
where we studied. I remember
the thick, oak tabletops, how cool
they felt against my face
when I lay my head down and slept.”

See what I mean? Absolutely delicious.

"How I wish we didn't hate those years while we lived them" has been something that has stuck in my head since the moment I read that poem. I remember sitting in the food court at the mall with Thomas. He was on break from Starbucks and I was on break from Pottery Barn. I remember looking across the table at him knowing we were broke, fighting with my family, and trying to get married against everyone's wishes. It was a time of raw emotion and the feeling of being alone (together) against the world. And, I thought to myself, I know one day I'll agree with that line, but right now I hate these years.

8 years later, I realize how true that line is. I do wish I didn't hate challenging times while I live them. Because, there is not a moment in our difficult, wonderful, painful, emotional, beautiful history that I don't absolutely cherish.

Unvacation 2008

What do you do when your long-planned trip to your grandma's place at the beach is rained out by thunderstorms and potential hurricane weather? Well, you look for the next best free vacation option.

That option, it turns out, could be in your own city. I've already mentioned that we like the idea of mini-vacations in Atlanta just to get a break from the stress of every day life, but this time we wanted to take a break that would really feel like a vacation. So, we decided to be Atlanta tourists and see our city in a way we hadn't before.

First, we needed a change of scenery. So, we headed over to my parents' house and, to be honest, that would have been enough for my girls. Grandparents are pretty much superheros to the girls. They love spending time there. They love spending time there camped out in sleeping bags even more. But, we wanted to hit some Atlanta top spots. If you're looking for some family friendly Atlanta spots, here are a few of our recommendations:

1. Fernbank Museum - this was the perfect wrap up for our unit on dinosaurs and the girls LOVED hanging out there. We were there in the middle of a school day so it was pretty much empty and that was the best part. They had a fantastic Ends of the Earth exhibit where the girls got to explore the worlds of penguins and polar bears. They had polar bear feet, penguin costumes and slides, and other really great interactive kid-friendly exhibits. I particularly loved seeing Kai clad in a penguin costume try to move the penguin egg from foot to foot like the daddy penguins do. And, I love how Ivy is smiling while she looks like she's getting ready to get a big swipe from that big bad polar bear behind her.



2. Georgia Aquarium - Duh. I mean, it's a fantastic aquarium so of course we're gonna go, right? We've actually got an annual pass so the kids had been before but never with grandparents in tow and it never seems to get boring to them. But this time was even more exciting because Nandi the manta ray was newly added to the aquarium and we got to check her out. Not to mention, the touch tanks and other exhibits never get boring. We were also excited to hear they're adding a dolphin exhibit in 2011. I highly recommend spending some time at the Georgia Aquarium and checking out everything it has to offer. Though, I'd skip the WAY overpriced food. $30 for stale hamburgers and chicken fingers was by no means a steal.

3. The World of Coca-Cola - Again, another no-brainer. First, Atlanta = Coca-Cola, so we had to go. Second, a certain husband of mine who shall remain nameless designs for the aforementioned beverage giant so of course the girls were super pysched to see what daddy's job involved. The World of Coca-Cola is pretty cool. They have some fun opening movie, a great 4-D movie experience, the world's smallest bottling facility, and, of course, the tasting room. Over 60 different beverages from different countries. It was a great way to talk about different countries and cultures with Kai and we got to taste some delicious and disgusting beverages. And, I developed a ridiculously powerful pregnancy craving for Inca Cola. I may just have to order a ton of that from Amazon in order to keep from losing my mind.

4. Multi-cultural dining experiences - Atlanta has some great food and we set out to explore a few of those cool options. One favorite was a local Mediterranean restaurant with great food, service, and, of course, belly dancing on Thursday, Friday, & Saturday nights. The dancer when we went was fantastic and looked, according to Kai, like a "top model." The girls absolutely loved the dancing and ended up getting up to join in. The girl was so sweet she even brought out a few jingly belly dancing scarves for them to wear while they danced with her. It was an awesome experience!

5. My parents' pool - okay, so this isn't really an attraction you can come visit, but seriously my kids love them some pool time. My theory is that this is a universal kid fact and that any trip to a pool attraction is a great vacation for kids. They barely even noticed we weren't at the beach with all that swimming going on. Plus, anytime Daddy gets in the pool with them they are thrilled. Daddy time in general is pretty much their favorite time ever.


So, there you have it. Everything you never wanted to know about our family unvacation. Thrilling, no? No. You're right, but it was relaxing and fun to just chill in our own city in a way we hadn't before.

Because the most logical place to put it is in your nose...

Staying at my mom and dad's house with my kids is always an adventure. Don't get me wrong, it is wonderful to not be the "mom in charge" every once in a while, but my parents have this serious no-childproofing policy that has been in effect long enough to make me wonder how my sisters and I ever made it to adulthood. Oh, the tales of Kerosene heaters, paint thinners, and accidental nooses I could tell. But, I won't. 'Cause my mom reads my blog and I'd hate to embarrass her. (Though if I run out of things to talk about, it may very well become fair game.)

Nonetheless, it is relaxing to be at my mom and dad's house. Even if my kids ALWAYS pull something crazy. Like, well, this:

My mom loves a nice smelling home. So, potpourri and fragrances and candles abound at her place. The girls have strict orders to avoid all wonderful smelling/fragrance producing apparatuses and generally adhere to that. But, there is always the odd divergence from the norm. Always.

At dinner the night before we left, Kai started complaining that her nose hurt. She said she bumped it and since I didn't notice any dermatological disturbance I told her she was fine and to go ahead and eat. But, she started getting freaked out saying it was hurting reeeaaalllyyy bad. Which usually means one of two things: a.) it hurts reeeaalllyy bad or b.) she doesn't want to eat dinner.

Turns out this was more of an a.) situation. After tears started flowing and she said overandoverandover how she hurt it when she "bumped" it I took her seriously. I asked her about her injury. How it happened. Where it hurt. And then she said something that cleared up all my questions.

"Mom, it just hurts. Come here and smell it. Please!"

And, that is when I knew. Something had been stuck/sprayed up her nose and the "bump" story was simply to avoid telling me she had done something she wasn't supposed to.

You've seen those Reed Diffusers people have all over their house? You know the ones. Lovely nice smelling sticks sitting irresistibly in a bottle of very expensive and highly fragranced oil? Well, apparently to a 4-year-old that translates into: stick this up your nose for a bit and see what happens. At least that's how it works with my 4-year-old.

Which is exactly why I will be waiting until Kai is in high school to purchase one of those things.

In case you were wondering, having a child submerge their head in a sink filled with warm salt water to blow "nose bubbles" is a great way to get that smell off their face. Nose bubbles make kids happy and anything that keeps children's nasal passages from smelling like Jasmine and Vanilla makes moms happy.

Kai-versations: Let's not get ahead of ourselves.

Me, pulling a WHITE hair out of my head and staring in disbelief: "Look at this, Kai. I'm getting white hairs. You girls are making me go gray before I even turn 30!"

Kai, distraught: "NOOO! Oh, Mom. That means your close to dying now. Like an old grandma. Please don't die yet."

Later that same day...

Me: "So, Kai, how old do you think your Daddy is?"

Kai: "31."

Me: "Very close! How old do you think Mommy is?"

Kai: "Um...I think something like 74. Right?"

I know this is the same girl who told me she didn't have to go to bed because it was only "thirty-o-clock" but, still, 74? Gee, thanks.

Total Truth Tuesday

What better way to rejoin my regularly scheduled blogging than with a Total Truth confession?

Here's my Total Truth:

My husband is the first person I ever kissed.

Truly, I am shuddering with embarrassment right now. 'Cause that's not really the kind of thing one likes to admit to. I mean, I didn't meet him when I was 16 or anything. My husband and I didn't start dating until I was 21. So...do the math. I didn't get my first kiss until I was 21. Can we say embarrassing?

But, let me explain why. Or rationalize why.

See, when I was about 14 I made this decision. I decided that I didn't really want to waste a whole lot of time kissing frogs before I found a prince. I'm not claiming this was some noble choice. I was 14. It was purely romantic. I assumed I'd meet my prince charming at the ripe old age of 16 and we'd date until college and then marry in a fairy tale wedding complete with singing woodland creatures. It's just that the fairy tale took a little longer than I expected.

At some point, though, the pact I made took on a life of its own. It was a secret. I never told anyone, but it became this defining moment of my life. I went to an all-girls' high school which meant avoiding dating wasn't too difficult. The women's college that came next made it even easier. And every guy I met was subjected to intense scrutiny. And, the next thing I knew I was 21 and had never been kissed.

Then I met this totally dreamy Hawaiian guy and, well, the rest is history. The first kiss was, um, the most awkward first kiss in history. I was shaking so hard I think he was worried I was having a seizure. But, the rest have been quite fairy tale-esque. And, while I wouldn't necessarily recommend this choice for everyone, I really am glad my first kiss got to be with the man I get to share firsts with for the rest of our lives.