An Ode to Dan

Today my incredible husband, Dan, and I celebrate our tenth wedding anniversary.  I am infinitely lucky to have found a partner who supports me in all things: parenthood, running, life.  As this is a running blog, let's celebrate his crucial role in my running life:

• The non-morning person who fields requests for second breakfasts and milk refills on Saturdays when I'm out on a long run.  
• The patient man who listens to the very minutiae of my runs.  
• The caring partner who never fails to ask, "How was your run?"  
• The supportive husband who dragged all three kids to the precise spot I requested at my debut half marathon so I could see sweet faces just when I knew I'd need it the most.
• The endless cheerleader who believes I can do anything I set my mind to.  Because of his confidence in me, I have the courage to aim high and dream big.

He may never understand my love of running, but he knows it is part of who I am, and he supports me every step of the way.  And because of that, I am the luckiest.  Here's to my soulmate, Dan, and to many, many more years of love, laughter, and happily ever after.

It feels like only yesterday; how have 10 years elapsed?!

An Evening Out

Last night, my husband and I enjoyed an all-too-rare evening out without the kids.  We headed to a nice restaurant on the Hill, a famed Italian neighborhood nearby, and I pulled some dressy clothing from the recesses of my closet for the event: cute little black dress, strappy sandals, coordinating jewelry.  Yet while we were driving to our destination, we passed a woman running, and I would have traded her outfits in a heartbeat.

Italian food done right: the Hill boasts St. Louis' best Italian restaurants and bakeries.

Of course, I had a wonderful evening and enjoyed some much-needed adult conversation, but for a brief moment, I wished we were going for a running date instead of a dinner date.  As that thought crossed my mind, I knew I was miles away from the woman I was last year.  I must really be a runner if I would consider trading penne and candlelight for running shoes and a sweaty sports bra.  Maybe we'll have to plan a running date in the future - followed by pasta carryout from our corner Italian eatery, of course.  Best of both worlds!