A Big Night Out

It started a bit rough.  The baby, who normally wakes up from a nap after an hour, continued to sleep past the time we wanted to leave.  Not that there is anything wrong with a long nap, but we were counting on her normal nap duration.  It didn't happen.  The wife had to wake her up and we all piled into the car.  Then, while heading out of Tacoma, just before the on ramp to Interstate 5, the baby took the contents of her stomach and emptied it all over herself, her car seat, the back seat of the Prius, and on her brother seated on the other side of the car.  We had to detour to the side of the road to commence emergency clean up operations.   We then hit major traffic ten miles south of downtown Seattle.  The closure of highway 99 plus various events in downtown had turned what should have been a 50 minute drive into a 75 minute drive to Wedgewood.  I blame all the stoners heading to Hemp Fest for the unrealistically slow traffic.  Overall, an ominous start to our Big Date in Seattle.

Thank God for a good sister-in-law.  My wife's sister, Jenni, and niece Sam, took both the kids so Rachel and I could spend the day and evening in downtown Emerald City.  I don't worry about my kids on her watch.  Jenni not only is good at entertaining them but also keeps up the routine: Leila got her naps and Rylan brushed his teeth before bed time.  My almost-thirteen year old niece Sam pitches in as well, changing diapers, carrying the baby, and keeping Rylan happy.  We are very lucky.

Even though the trek had a tenuous start the date couldn't have been more fun.  We were free and celebrated our hard-earned freedom at Sazerac Restaurant.  After a filling lunch we headed two blocks north and four blocks west to the Great Wheel on the Seattle waterfront.  Yes, it's just a ferris wheel, but the views from the wheel are amazing (see below).  However, we had to share our compartment with another couple.  There's nothing like dangling 175 feet in the air, in an enclosed glass container, with a random couple you've never met before.  Awkward silence reigned supreme on those three revolutions around the wheel.  But the views of the beautiful Northwest filled our attention, keeping us all distracted.

The last stop in our Rain City tour was The Clink.  My employer, MBC Law Firm, graciously provided us tickets to the Seahawks/Broncos preseason game.  Rachel had never been to a pro football game before but that didn't stop her from getting all decked out in Seahawks regalia (thanks to the sister-in-law).  She knew the Seahawks were a passion of mine and was on board to enjoy the game.  And she looked damn cute in her jersey cheering the Hawks on to a decisive preseason win.  Thanks babe!  At the end of the night we returned to Jenni's house and spent some time chit-chatting with my sister-in-law and niece.  A perfect end to a perfect day.

It's good to have a spouse who is also your best friend.  I respect my wife and do my best to treat her with kindness and care.  She's the soul I choose to spend my life with so I don't take my petty bullshit out on her.  Some guys (and some gals) like to use their spouse as their emotional punching bag.  I do it the opposite way: I treat the one closest to me THE BEST.  I trust her.  I don't second guess her.  I heed her advice.  I do all this because she is the closest to me.  And, because she deserves it.

Peace Out,

 

Nathan J.