Today, I get to share a friend with you. She’s brilliant, talented, supportive, and kind. She is there when you need her, and even when you think you don’t. Her words will draw you in and make you feel at home. Truly, she needs no introduction. Please…enjoy her words here, but then visit her there…because Galit Breen is someone you need to get to know.
***
I make my way downstairs, by feel, and by dark.
Each first breath and morning stretch and slipper step is much too loud for this early quiet.
Above, I hear Jason get ready for his own day. His suit and tie a sharp line to the fuzziness that I now know best.
Outside, dark is just giving in to light. The sky’s smoky blues and shocking reds peek through blackened trees.
A neighbor brightens a single light. It shines alone, and seeps into my kitchen.
For a moment, I pause, splay my fingers onto the counter, and wonder why she’s up so early.
My Mind Pencil starts weaving her details quickly, filling in -sketching, even- what I don’t know.
I force myself to look away, busy my hands in my own kitchen, focus on my own story.
Jason’s steps gentle toward me, he is as careful as I am. It’s my birthday, and we want to start the day just the two of us.
And we do.
We sit knee to knee, share coffee steam and croissant sweetness, our elbows grazing, our voices murmuring.
On this day of new and fresh and begin, we’re focusing within.
And while the rest of my day will be loud and messy and more about my children than me, this is the perfect start.
***
Some gems are bold, bright, easily grasped.
The sweetest of belly laughs, the warmest of laced fingers, the strongest of wrapped arms.
And when we slow down and bite back “Be carefuls” and “Not nows,” they’re there.
But others, need to be carved out.
And that’s exactly what this moment was.
A chance to connect and charge, better at each of our days for having started it enveloped within a single light, alone in the dark.
When Jason and I got married, a friend gave us a card that read, “The best thing a father can do for his children, is love their mother.”
We used to feel and do and be this so easily.
But a decade and three children and several careers and a house and chores and so very many responsibilities later, these gifts are more often planned, than not.
(They mean just as much this way.)
***
Kayli and Chloe and Brody make their way downstairs as Jason slips out the door; our days officially Different for the next twelve hours.
They’re sleepy eyed and pink cheeked and an absolute blend of the two of us.
I clear Jason’s and my dishes away, swap them for the kids’ Birthday Breakfast.
Thank you so much for having me here, Katie.
Honored, doesn’t even begin to cover it.
xo
Galit Breen recently posted..Easy
Such a perfect, perfect day, Galit. Gorgeous writing, already.
Thank you, girlfriend, so very much. xo
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
How beautiful and what a great way to start the day. My husband and I are floundering lately to find a few minutes of us time. Thank goodness we both have patience
.
Jessica recently posted..What Ryan Gosling Wants to Tell You
Thank you so very much, Jess. And yes, we’ve been floundering for a LONG time, too. Breakfast at the crack of dawn wins (for now)!
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
So beautiful.
I wish that we had that time together. Shawn is always scrambling in the morning and Chunky always makes sure to wake us up before the sun.
One day when he’s older I’m sure that we’ll have more moments like this
Xoxo
Kimberly recently posted..This Is My Ontario
Thank you so much, friend!
(And I so get that! Our oldest is almost eight and we’re just getting here now!)
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
Actually, I think that what you describe as ‘candy coating’ in your own blog, that ability to actually be the Mom who looks warmly at even the annoying moments, who is willing to say “I’m sorry”, is what is going to make you the one who has a good relationship with her teens. And I’m totally jealous of your wake-up with your husband.
Jessie Powell recently posted..Set list
Thank you, Jessie. (So very much!)
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
So beautiful, Galit. And happy birthday to you!
Thank you, Iza! (Truly.)
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
Galit! First of all, happy belated birthday. It sounds like the greatest gift was a little breakfast with your husband. And isn’t it true that those moments — which used to come so easily — are so hard to find these days? But the challenge to a great marriage is to keep connecting. So I will wish you love and health and happiness and a little alone together with your man.
Renee Schuls-Jacobson recently posted..The Horror of Public Speaking: A #LessonLearned by Chrystal H.
Thank you, my sweet friend, so much! xo
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
Geez, Galit! No chills this time, just tears! You brought me to tears. Of inspiration, of love, of wanting more from the ring on my left hand. For the desire for both of us to be people that actually say more than Bye and I love you in the morning and to reconnect more than the short minutes after brushed teeth and lazy eyelids.
“But a decade and three children and several careers and a house and chores and so very many responsibilities later, these gifts are more often planned, than not.” YES!
Oh thank you, my friend, so much.
(It took us so very long to get here, and I’m so glad that we did!)
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
Oh, this is perfect Galit…so sweet, as always.
And your Mind Pencil? Brilliant.
Sherri recently posted..Tell Me a Story
Thank you so much, sweet Sherri!
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
I can’t think of a nicer way to have started your special day.
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell recently posted..Do You Love Movie Previews As Much As I Do?
Agreed, completely!
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
Such beautiful words and beautiful imagery. Thank you for the reminder that my marriage is as important as my motherhood. Happy Birthday!!!
Thank you, my friend.
And your words? Yes that, exactly that!
xo
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
What a wonderful start to your birthday.
Beautiful words, as usual.
xo
Runnermom-jen recently posted..Questions Answered…
Thank you, my friend! And I so agree!
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
Oh Galit. This filled me up with …. so much. (and left many tear streaks on my face) I can’t get enough of your writing. It’s breathtaking, poetic, warm and simply beautiful. Thank you for sharing such a wonderful moment on your day. Happy Birthday my friend.
January recently posted..An Adventure Walk (complete with crappy phone photos)
Thank you, January, so very much. (so kind, so generous, so heartwarming – that’s *you!*)
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
What beautiful words and beautiful imagery. Thank you for reminding me that my marriage is as important as my motherhood. Happy Birthday!!
xo
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
Days started like this do seem to go much better… for our house too. The extra half hour of sleep pales in comparison to the half hour of quiet togetherness. Happy Birthday dear you.
Jamie recently posted..if i could turn back time — greta funk
Oh yes, that. So, so very much that. It took us a long time to get here, but wow are we ever better now that we have!
(Thank you so much, my friend!)
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
Galit, you captured the moment beautifully, how a small shared breakfast between you and Jason can mean so much in the overall health of your marriage, and through that, your parenting.
angela recently posted..Running Back – Get Fit Update
Thank you, Angela, so much! I so appreciate your visit and words!
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
Oh yes. A stolen moment to renew and recharge. To remember why we started all this craziness in the first place.
A father should love his children’s mother. Yes. A thousand times yes.
Angie @ The Little Mumma recently posted..Beautiful Bias
Thank you, my dear friend, so very much!
(And oh my, yes- we so need to be reminded about the goodness in the craziness, don’t we?)
xo
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
You know that I love your words and how they make me feel … but today, I could not help but think how very much I just want to sit with you, share our coffee, knees touching
(in a non sexay kinda way)
By Word of Mouth Musings recently posted..Blissdom, a recap and omgosh, its the weekend!
Oh, you. Yes, I can’t wait for that day, too!
With steam and knees and non-sexiness and everything!
xo
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
It’s gorgeous, but I absolutely loved this line, “The sweetest of belly laughs, the warmest of laced fingers, the strongest of wrapped arms.”
Thank you, my dear friend, so very much.
xo
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
Oh how I love the line, “the reason that I’m fully present with them now, is because of the gift of our start.” My husband and I are such a better team and such better parents when we make the time to just be with each other. Having that alone time is so very precious to us both!
When my father passed, I spoke at the memorial service and I shared that one of the things that gave me such joy, confidence, and sense of stability growing up was seeing how much my dad adored my mother! And…it helped me to know what I would one day desire for my own marriage.
Thank you for a beautiful post, Galit.
Elizabeth recently posted..Frugal Fashionista Friday
Thank you, Elizabeth for your kind and thoughtful comment!
I love what you wrote about your parents’ gift to you and truly hope to do the exact same for our children.
(I’m so sorry for your loss.)
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
Oh, Galit. I love love love this.
As I read and type, my children are in the Jacuzzi right outside the window (don’t hate me; it’s California).
They are with their best friends (since birth), the children of a couple who set me up with Bill almost 18 years ago. That same couple is now getting a divorce. And my friend, their mother, dropped her kids off and went home to her empty house to sleep and mourn the life she thought she’d live.
Life offers no guarantees; not everyone is meant to see “forever” – but Bill and spent the past 18 years doing whatever we can to remain each other’s best friends.
He is in San Francisco tonight on business. And when he returns tomorrow, I will tell him that I missed my best friend. Because I did.
The children are laughing and splashing and living.
And I? I am waiting.
For him.
Ohmyheart Julie (that one was just for you) I love your words and your best friendship and your true love.
I’m thinking a lot about Forever and yes, am willing to work for it in so many areas of my life – this, being one of them.
Also? I could never hate you. Even for sunshine!
(My heart hurts for your friend.)
xo
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
Gorgeous as always Galit!!
I love that you take time with Jason to be with him and re-kindle.
I find it difficult at this point, with a toddler, to be with Brian like we used to. But ever once in awhile I’ll catch a glimpse. It will be there again one day.
Leighann recently posted..When your Child’s Classmate has a Peanut Allergy
Thank you so much, my dear friend.
And oh my, yes- -those toddler years are draining to the core, aren’t why? It took us a LONG time to get here! But those glimpses? Are pure magic, aren’t they?
xo
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
That sounds like a great start to the day. Quiet time with just the two of you. It seems like it’s a rare thing around my house.
Jessica recently posted..Things I Can’t Say
Thank you so much, Jess! And oh my, yes- -rare, for sure!
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
I love starting your day with your husband. What an important time to connect and recharge. We have a saying that 50% of raising kids is having a healthy relationship with your spouse. The card, “The best thing a father can do for his children, is love their mother” puts it very well, doesn’t it?
Rivki recently posted..29 Leap Day Wishes
Thank you so very much, Rivki!
I adore your words – together with that card, they send a pretty strong, poignant message, don’t they?
Galit Breen recently posted..Practical Parenting
Galit, this is the way I want to start my next birthday! A little alone time with my husband would be such a wonderful present. It is also an amazing reminder of where everything began…with just the two of you and for your kids to take notice and hold it close to their hearts too.
Beautiful as always!!! xo!
Kristen recently posted..I Had A Little Work Done Over The Weekend…
Thank you, dear friend. You always “get” my brain, and I so appreciate that! xo
Galit Breen recently posted..Cleaning Tips for Busy Parents
This post really resonated with me! Your “brand” of parenting feels like my own. Happy Birthday again, Galit. I’m glad you enjoyed your birthday so beautifully.
Jessica recently posted..52|9: My toddler can “read”
Thank you, so very much!
I so appreciate your kind words!
Galit Breen recently posted..Cleaning Tips for Busy Parents
Oh your writing.
I wish I had more to say, but I’m laid low by it.
San Diego Momma recently posted..Find and Remind, Part Two: Now With Book Suggestions!
You?
Are a love.
Thank you.
Truly.
xo
Galit Breen recently posted..Cleaning Tips for Busy Parents
You capture, with utter brilliance, the “truths” of a long marriage. The love that’s still there, but muffled by the noise of life. The work it takes to keep the two of YOU front and center in a life that’s so often not about the two of you because of all the things you mention.
You brought tears to my eyes today, Galit.
Missy | The Literal Mom recently posted..Literal Mom Monday – Know Your Child’s Personality Part 2
Thank you, my dear heart.
You make my heart happy.
xo
Galit Breen recently posted..Cleaning Tips for Busy Parents
This is so lovely. Moments like this are precious and I’m glad you had this. I wholeheartedly agree with husbands loving their wives well…and how good it is for our kids.
Beautifully written.
heidi recently posted..surrender
Thank you Heidi, so much.
I so appreciate your note, and kind words!
Galit Breen recently posted..Cleaning Tips for Busy Parents
This is really beautiful writing. It sure was a break from the typical monotony. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you. (truly)
Galit Breen recently posted..Cleaning Tips for Busy Parents
So poetic, so filled with beauty as always Galit. I love to read you.
Lady Jennie recently posted..Endives in Béchamel
Thank you my sweet friend.
The feeling is (completely) mutual.
Galit Breen recently posted..Cleaning Tips for Busy Parents
Always, always, Galit you make me stop what I’m doing and take in the world around me. You help me slow down and appreciate the small moments, the warm hand, the loving gesture. Thank you for being you and for the wonderful inspiration. XO
Jennifer recently posted..The Apple, The Monster, And The Cookie
That was so very kind, and so very generous.
Thank you.
(truly)
xo
Galit Breen recently posted..Cleaning Tips for Busy Parents
I’m so glad that you and your hubby find the time to enjoy quiet, beautiful moments like this. What a gift, indeed. XOXO
Charlotte recently posted..single step
Thank you my sweet-as-pie, friend!
(so much)
xo
Galit Breen recently posted..Cleaning Tips for Busy Parents
I need to take notes from you, Galit. Your words shine with warmth and sunshine and teach me how to live, my friend.
That was so kind and generous and sweet -truly all that is good in using our words.
(thank you)
xo
Galit Breen recently posted..Cleaning Tips for Busy Parents
Your writing is poetry. I love it.
This post was of particular interest to me because my husband and I were just talking about this last night. The best part about the conversation was that we wer talking. We hardly find the time these days. There is little possibility that we will spend enough time in the morning to walk to the kitchen in the morning before the kids wake. But what a beautiful time to share. Quiet mornings. Lovely.
Wild Child Mama recently posted..3 Things Thursday
Thank you, my friend.
And I’m so with you – finding time to have a real conversation (beyond the details of the day, plans, etc.) is such a huge challenge.
Le sigh.
At least we *want* to do something about it, which seems to me says so very much, too!
Galit Breen recently posted..Cleaning Tips for Busy Parents
I agreed with Wild Child Mama. Thank You!
nsn search recently posted..NSN Search
That writing is like music. Great breakfast but for me I will need to add some whole-grain into the mix
Cindy recently posted..Free Hd Movies