This Is Us.

Thanksgiving Eve brings back waves of memories for Kurt & I. Eight years ago, my best friend Michael and I found our way to the Brass Rail in hopes to run into one and only, Kurt Mundell. We sat and giggled as he played the bowling game across the room. Kurt & I flirted, the typical girl likes boy. At this point Kurt and I had our "first date" of Chinese food and we were beginning to spend more and more time together, yet I still had a lingering relationship that was long past its expiration date. That night while Michael and I stumbled out of the bar, Kurt came to say his goodbyes at my car, he grabbed my hand, leaned it and landed a big ol' kiss right smack on my lips. I was so shocked I did not even have a chance to kiss back. He gave me the ultimatum, he told me he was falling for me and he did not want to get hurt. He turned around and left. I on the other hand was still in shock (dumb girl, you knew that was coming). I got in the car stunned, Michael was like, "what just happened?" I cried. I could not imagine not having Kurt in my life and I think in that moment we became us. The day after my phone rang and there he was, my heart fluttered, I hadn't lost my chance and soon after that I found my strength and decided it was time to be happy.

A year after that, Kurt and I were off to downtown Annapolis to meet all of my dearest friends from high school and their significant others. Kurt and I were engaged and living together. I was stunningly happy, I remember curling my hair and taking a purple flower from off the table to wear behind my ear, I felt like I was in a dream. It feels like yesterday. That was when my closest friends got to meet my Kurt. Its been one of the most epic Thanksgiving Eve parties I had attended. I had no clue in the moment, but the memories I was making were our stories I will share with our children and one day grandchildren. That's the funny thing about life, you just go through the moments not realizing the story your creating.

The eve's after those have been somewhat of a blur. At one point we had a Friendsgiving at our house that was absolutely the best! We also fit some babies in those years and I might have worked one or two. Who knows, because after eight years of Thanksgiving Eve's together some things get looked over and moments get forgotten. It shames me to say, but the good news is I have the next eight to try and make up for it.

This time last year I was sitting in the same chair at the same table with Kurt baking bread and the kids running around and screaming. I would not have it any other way, this is us. If anyone else were to walk in this mix they'd probably last all of two minutes. It's loud, it's crazy and to be honest I loose my thoughts about a million times when writing this blog. We don't have a big family, heck it will only be the six of us this year again, but this is us. The kids won't even eat most the food served today, but they will be surrounded by love and hopefully on their way to making moments and memories that they may one day reflect upon. In all of my Thanksgivings, I have made my way around a few different tables, friends, boyfriends, different family members, each one different in their own ways, each one I am still thankful for. For me it doesn't matter where, as long as I have my screaming kids and Kurt's deep friend turkey, that's my Thanksgiving, This is us.

                                                             Thanksgiving 2014

                                                            Thanksgiving 2015