This evening was special. 

This morning was chaotic.  Israel had to catch a flight to head downstate at 5pm and my parents are coming tomorrow to visit with us for about a week (while Israel has his meeting and then goes to Germany).   We spent  the whole morning doing chores, and getting things together before Israel left.  On the way to the airport to drop Israel off, I was so hungry I thought I was going to faint.  So, I knew that I wanted to eat something soon.  We saw Israel off and I decided to pick up some food.

Imanuel and I drove over to Quizno’s (-thanks, Steph for the tip!).   After pulling into the plaza, I decided that we might as well eat in since we didn’t have much to do at home and Israel was gone.  So, we went in, just the two of us (-technically 3, but you understand what I mean).  I ordered:  1 large veggie sub, 1 small bag of original Sun Chips, and a drink.  I got Imanuel his high chair, we said a prayer together, and we began to eat our little dinner.  Then it hit me that this was the first time that just the two of us went to eat at a restaurant together.  It was our first date.  Our conversation was more muted than usual since there was no dog to reprimand, no daddy to add to our conversation, no friends to talk with.  We would occasionally be interrupted by customers who wanted to say “hello” to Imanuel or tell me how cute he was.  But in so many ways, it was a special time where I could just look into my son’s eyes, as he’d smile at me and ask for another slice of olive, and not think of anything else in the world, but him.     

Every time Israel leaves on a trip, it’s easy for me to go into work-a-holic mode and try to keep myself occupied to pass the time.  But tonight more than ever, I realized the number of days I had with Imanuel as my only child were numbered.  In less than a month, I would be spread thin with the newborn and Imanuel’s world would be turned upside down.  So, I decided that we’d do something special together this evening.  We stopped by the video store and got “Homeward Bound – The Incredible Journey” (- I figured he would like watching the animals).  At home, I popped some popcorn (-it was Imanuel’s first time eating it and he LOVES it), and we snuggled up in the basement and watched as Shadow, Chance, and Sassy found their way back home.   And of course as Imanuel got tired of watching, we played with some of Imanuel’s toys that I had packed away for a few months.  He was very excited.

It was nothing big, but we both had a blast just being in each other’s company with no distractions.  We did a lot of playing and laughing together.  We ended the evening with worship together and now as I reflect on the evening, I’m so thankful that we had this time alone.  A time completely dedicated to being together and enjoying it.  No dishwashing, cleaning, or emails to compete with.  I’m not sure when the next chance we’ll have to spend an entire afternoon/evening with just the two of us, but I hope it’s something we can do more especially as he gets older. 

So, this entry is especially for Imanuel and our special times with just the two of us.  I know you won’t remember this evening.  But when you grow older, I will tell you about this special night when I realized that there aren’t many more things that I’d rather be doing than spending time with you.  Only God knows the love and joy you bring to me!