Single gal for three days

Even in the velvety dark of midnight, my house makes constant, rhythmic sounds like a sleeping child.

The air conditioner hums like a persistent exhale, my computer’s fan whirs, and the dishwasher gurgles and clanks softly.

Today has been messy, beautiful, full. 

It’s feels strange to sit here alone while my sweetheart is asleep somewhere thousands of miles away. I know many wives who deal with work-related separation on a regular basis, and I really don’t know how they do it! I must be spoiled, because it’s only been three days, and I still miss him. And I know he will be back here, eating his birthday cake, in less than 24 hours. 

Yes, today is his birthday! (Happy birthday, sweetheart! I know you’ll read this tomorrow—er, I mean today!—at  some point in your travels. I have lots of fun surprises for you when you get home!)

Cooking and baking for a man with a gluten allergy has often been challenging, but tonight I think I found a winner! This flourless cake is chocolaty, dense, and tastes positively sinful, but is incredibly high in protein thanks to the many eggs and a surprise ingredient: 

No really. It’s delicious.

While I have missed my man these three days, I feel so refreshed from the many special girl talks I’ve been able to have!

One was on the phone, with one of those rare heart-sisters whose friendship remains constant no matter how long it’s been or how far away we live.

One was on freshly vacuumed carpet, the three of us alternately sharing our struggles and laughing at the puppies and the toddler-who-thought-she-was-a-puppy as they crawled and shrieked around us. Then we sat and prayed for each other and drove home, refreshed in deep places.

One was a spontaneous late-night visit across the lawn, shoes off, laughing in the beautiful blend of our personalities until the mosquitoes forced us inside.

One was seven hours long, and still felt short! We ate and laughed and gave back rubs and talked theology and sweethearts, and slept and then talked some more. 

Maybe later I'll process some of the content of those talks here, but for now I'm just treasuring them in my heart. 

I'm slowly learning that girl friends really are crucial for the health of my heart. I never want to let the busy-ness of life, or the tendency to compare myself, or any number of other hangups rob me of life-giving relationships with other girls.