{"id":49,"date":"2012-08-17T16:04:00","date_gmt":"2012-08-17T16:04:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.katiepolski.com\/?p=49"},"modified":"2012-08-17T16:04:00","modified_gmt":"2012-08-17T16:04:00","slug":"memories","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/katiepolski.com\/?p=49","title":{"rendered":"Memories"},"content":{"rendered":"
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 We’ve been going to the same place for vacation each summer for about 25 years.  It’s a beautiful beach spot filled with many, many memories. <\/p>\n

Twelve years ago, Chris and I took a picture on a particular couch at this vacation spot.  We’ve taken the same shot every year since. <\/p>\n

The above picture was taken twelve years ago – on the night of our engagement.  He thought I was surprised (and I didn’t let on for about five years that I knew what was coming), but it didn’t matter; that night was one of the happiest of my life. <\/p>\n

I will never forget getting up from dinner and while my whole family was headed out to play the card game Skip Bo, Chris asked if I wanted to go for a walk. <\/p>\n

“No.” <\/p>\n

I wanted to play Skip-Bo (one of my favorites), and (I will never forget) there was key lime pie involved.  There was no way I was taking a walk on the beach. <\/p>\n

My dad whipped out the video camera and put it in my face: <\/p>\n

“You really should go for a walk, honey, it’s a beautiful night.  Just go ahead.” <\/p>\n

And then I knew.  Dad, good ol’ dad, giving away the entire thing.  My entire family stared at me.  Did they seriously think I wasn’t picking up on anything?  <\/p>\n

I then agreed to the walk with the promise that they’d save some key lime pie.  My sisters just giggled. <\/p>\n

My family cannot<\/i> keep a secret. <\/p>\n

As we were walking toward the beach, my dad video taping the entire thing, I heard my little sister whisper: <\/p>\n

“Do you know what is about to happen?!?” <\/p>\n

And then it was confirmed.<\/p>\n

But I kept my cool, even though I was excited myself about what was about to happen. <\/p>\n

It was dark when we began walking – very dark.  In fact, there were no lights anywhere near our part of the beach.  I didn’t know it at the time, but Chris was trying to find light. So, he was incredibly distracted as we walked.  Regardless, I tried to make conversation. <\/p>\n

“Don’t you think it would be awesome to be a lifeguard at a place like this?  I mean, what a job.” <\/p>\n

“Uh-huh.  Awesome.”  He was looking all around, and I had no idea for what – fireworks, a plane, a person.  I decided to not try and guess but to keep talking: <\/p>\n

“That’s got to be a job that has very little stress.  Don’t you think?” <\/p>\n

“Uh-huh.  You should move to Florida.” <\/p>\n

For real?  Then we got into an argument over whether or not he wanted to move to Florida.  <\/p>\n

We quickly ended up right back at the place where we started. <\/p>\n

I didn’t need fireworks, planes, people; I didn’t even need light.  All I needed were the words that Chris said to me in the next five minutes. <\/p>\n

It was one of the most memorable nights of my life.  And I even got my key lime pie.  It was March, 2000. <\/p>\n

The 2001 picture is missing, but the next ten years are accounted for and are pictured below. <\/p>\n

I share these with hesitation since Chris and I have gone through many different…..awkward…..phases when it comes to fashion and hair, but they’re worth every single memory.  Each year is filled with so many, but here are just a few little snippets: <\/p>\n

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 2002. Sweet little Ella. Easiest baby ever.  It’s a good thing she was the first; if Jrod or Lily had come along as number one, there would have been no number two.   <\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

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2003. First year without my dad on vacation, but a sweet time with the family.  Life was still easy as can be with only one.   <\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

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2004.  Jrod.  Jrod.   And we moved to St. Simons.  I also remember telling Chris I would never teach again.  <\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

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2005.  I went back to teaching.  <\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

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2006.   I quit teaching.  <\/div>\n
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 2007.  We moved back to St. Louis.  And, we decided to try for a third child with the expectation that after Jrod, surely we’d have a calm, laid-back child.  <\/div>\n

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2008.  The year I gave birth to the least calm, laid-back child I had known thus far.    <\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

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2009.  The year we both gave up hair – I chopped mine, and he shaved his.   <\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

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2010.   <\/div>\n

<\/p>\n

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2011.   All three kids in school and mom went back to working part-time, but not as a teacher.  <\/div>\n

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2012.  And here we are.  <\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
God is good.  <\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
All the time.  <\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

 We’ve been going to the same place for vacation each summer for about 25 years.  It’s a beautiful beach spot … <\/p>\n

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