Tuesday 6 March 2012

52 weeks of grateful :: love

With a loved up hen on show over the weekend and a wedding on the horizon, I found my thoughts of gratefulness this week, turning to that age old beauty.


In the words of Hugh Grant (yes, I am aware many a man {and woman} said it long before his British prime ministerial playing self in Love Actually, just none any damn cuter), love is, actually, all around.

I'm not a big drinker. I'm not even a small drinker. I'm a cheap date. I think I used up all my drinking cards when I was overseas, long long ago, and then during my first few years after moving to Melbourne. There are positives to being a {mostly} non-drinker. On Saturday at my sister, Courtney's, kitchen tea, I had half a glass of champagne all day. I was able to sit back and watch. Watch everyone chat and mingle, laugh, louder and louder as the afternoon progressed. Everyone was beaming. Great big smiles from ear to ear. The bubbly was flowing and so was the love. The love that my sister's family and friends came to show her. Dressed in their glamorous best, their best make-up and uncomfortably high heels. That they love her and unequivocally support her choice in sharing the rest of her life with Carl. That love came from me too.

Love on different levels. Between friends. Between family. Between acquaintances. Laughter was shared with friends I have known since the day I was born. Family who I love, because of who they are, not because we are related. To sit and enjoy their company, their conversation, even the silent parts. For there is love, even just in the sitting.

As we left our final venue of the evening, wandering back to the car somewhere after 10pm (I know, we are crazy party animals), we passed the throngs of youth lined up at bars and clubs, just beginning their evening {memories... from the corners of my mind...}. Lining up to dance so long their legs will still be aching tomorrow, or to forget about their crappy week at work, or drink their weight in vodka, or just be the poor designated driver in charge of getting everyone home in one piece. But I think quite a large number of the throngs, would have been lining up for love. In the hope they may just find it. Maybe tonight, would be the night. On the dance floor, at the bar, through a friend of a friend, a chance meeting they had hoped for, and never really expected to find. Just maybe.

Driving home through the beautifully lit city, I commented to Mum and Sue how glad I was that I didn't have to do that anymore. Not that I really did much to be honest. I was always lining up for a good time, to dance the night away with a few drinks, surrounded by fabulous friends. I never lined up for love. I was crazy blessed that it found me early. And that I knew what it was when it tapped me on the shoulder in the form of a slightly overweight, gollywog haired, shy guy. Of course I didn't know it at the time. It didn't take long to figure it out.

I like the quiet life. I do not long to be out every weekend, dressed to the nines, sipping fine wine or making fancy conversation, feeling chained to my children, that they stole my freedom right out from under me. This was always where I was meant to be. Happy. In love. Giving love. Surrounded by love. And I am grateful. So very, very grateful.

{Today was a long day. I needed this. Even if your day was a cracker? You need this too.}


You can find more grateful souls over at Maxabella's, or Kidspot.

9 comments:

  1. I like the quiet life too generally.

    I met my husband at a pub, ironically I had repeatedly told friends I wasn't going to meet the man of my dreams on a big night out, and I certainly wasn't out looking for him that night.

    I think I knew he was special that night though, when he gently kissed me on the forehead while we were dancing (as he probably made some rude sign behind my back to his friend to go away and leave us alone!).

    We've been together ten years in July and it's been amazing.

    I bet you are surrounded by love because you surround others with love. You reap what you sow and all that. x

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi! I've tagged you on my blog! Please visit it to find out more. x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks jen! I will head over to check it out x

      Delete
  3. LOVE!
    Love your words. Love your humour. Love THAT SCENE!! I was bopping away in my chair. My sister and I used to sing this song often. Now there's a special love - between sisters.
    I couldn't agree with you more on liking the quiet life. I think the greatest amount of love is felt in those quiet moments, when you can just be.
    LOVEly post Tahnee. xo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks doll. that scene just NEVER gets old! x

      Delete
  4. This is a beautiful post, Tahnee. Like you, I am ever so grateful that I ENJOY going home early now. Home is so much better than being away. x

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is a gorgeous blog tahnee, i've read back through and smiled, laughed and cried! x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks hayley, I am glad I could entertain! x

      Delete

I love to hear from you, thankyou so much for taking the time to leave a comment x

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...