Tuesday, July 4

After some great sleep on Tuesday night, we woke up and spent some time in the hot-tub outside. What a great feeling for our weary bodies. I sensed that this whole trip was shaping up to be quite good. We then put in some loads of laundry and prepared to watch the World Cup game: Italy vs. Germany. Needless to say, there was excitement in the air as the game began, and I was nervous as I'll get out. Blom and I both put on some Italia shirts and we sat down for the game. As everyone knows by now, it was a great game, and it was a great game to watch in some stranger's living room, chilling out with two fantastic dogs. Blom did snooze off for a little while during overtime, but claims he was awake when Italy came in for the goal. If he wasn't, my screaming certainly woke him and we quickly began our celebration. Ah yes, life out West is good.

After the game was over and our spirits were high, we then decided it was time to put our bodies back to work. We borrowed Blom's roommate's two kayaks, strapped them to the top of the Subaru (they are all over the place out there), and drove the short distance to Puget Sound. We looked totally cool as we carried our kayaks to the water, the picnickers and crowds there for the 4th watching in jealousy and intrigue. Okay, that might not be accurate at all, and once they saw our paddling skills, those looks may have turned to skepticism and mockery, but hey, I'm gonna stick to my theory. We kayaked for a while during the mid-afternoon and it was again a perfect day outside. We were a little scared of waves at first, and also scared of the speedboats and ferries, but we soon relaxed to enjoy the views of the Olympic Mountains in the distance and the houses on the shore nearby. To make everything so much better, there were jumping fish all over the place. Blom thought I was lying at first until one practically jumped into his kayak. There are these little fish that just jump out of the water. I have no idea why, but maybe it's because they want to catch an insect or maybe it's because God was being really playful when He created the little fellas, and yes, they are totally cool.

After quick showers back at the house, we then headed into the city of Seattle for the night. We did find the very first Starbucks store by Pike Place Market (the market itself was closed), grabbed some coffee, and then found a nice table to sit at at one of the many seaside parks in Seattle. It was here that I was again reminded of the awesomeness of my friendship with Blom. We sat and talked for quite awhile about God, heaven, marriage, our dreams, our fears, our weaknesses. I love it when you are in a friendship and you don't have to worry about how the facade is holding up. It's okay to show that the paint might be a little chipped or that you sometimes just don't feel like you're doing the best you could be at this thing called life. It's okay to talk about dreams and ideas that realistically just might not happen, but someone is there to understand that we just can't stop dreaming. It's okay if I'm not the best husband in the world after six months, because, heck, he says he's not the best husband after a year, and that means he's had a whole six months more than me to be the best. It's weird, because I probably keep the facade so much of the time thinking it will make my life easier, make me more likeable or cooler or stronger. But I know that's not true, because I know the moments of great friendship where I am overwhelmed at its beauty and life, is found when I take away the facade. (Yes, Mr. Horner, this is yet another call to V&O, Vulner&Op.)

After our chat by the Sound, we realized we were quite hungry and headed off for some dinner. We found a place called The Crab Pot and dined on sausage and potatoes and clams and mussels and crab. They even gave us hammers to help us break the crab legs open. Tremendous fun. Towards the end of our meal, we saw another waitress bring another table a giant cake version of strawberry shortcake. We weren't very hungry, but we thought we could manage a few bites. Well, as I said, it was a giant version, so instead of ordering our own, we simply watched the other table, knowing there was no way they were going to finish it. And we were right. And I walked over to their table after they left. And I picked up the desert. And Blom and I ate it. And we were happy.

We left our dinner a little after 10, and as soon as we walked outside we saw lots of people walking to the pier. The fireworks had just begun. Watching the fireworks over Puget Sound was the perfect was to end my weekend. I love fireworks. I love the oohs and the awes and the people and the surprises. I remember watching the fireworks remembering just how crazy good God is. It was a moment when I was so aware of life and it's too often that I lose this awareness in the monotonous living of every day. I was aware of friendship and brokenness, of beauty and community, of nature and God.

It was one of those moments you wanted to last for so much longer than it did. But the moment came and the moment left and I boarded a plane early Wednesday morning and came back to Chicago. And you know what, life can be lived here too. Friendship and brokenness and beauty and community and nature and God are in Chicago just like in Portland and Seattle. (Alright, "nature" might not quite be here like it is there, but I bet if I take off my glasses and make everything a little hazy I could find a flower or something.) That's what I was reminded of as I flew home. I was then quickly reminded that I hadn't gone to the bathroom since my big seafood dinner the night before and had never been so thankful for the moment when they took the seatbelt sign off. That's a moment I'd rather not remember so much.