Nice List! I love the 2nd Day of the Month! :)

I've spoken before about how I love the 2nd day of the month, one of my favorite days of the year is Oct. 2nd, for no particular reason, other than I like the way the day has gone the last few years of my life. I like the 2nd of any month come to think of it, I think this day just has a great energy about it. The month is still brand new, you can make new goals, it's usually nice weather, it's just great!

Yesterday, I spoke about addictions and today I have a confession to make: my addiction is magazines! last night, I read an article about Enrique Igleasias in OK Magazine, and in my opinion, he said something very honest and real about romantic relationships: "The best thing about being in love is that you feel invincible. The world could fall apart as long as you're with that person...(but) Then, it comes down to other things, like trust, personality and being able to live with that person. Relationships are hard." I couldn't agree more! Colin has always said it's my personality that kept him. Thanks babe! Anyway, relationships are hard and I think I have a habbit of sometimes making this too hard with Colin. I always thought that if I ever got healthy enough to live beyond hospital walls, then life would be pretty easy. I always thought romantic relationships would be easier, rather than harder. Because I'm the daughter of divorced parents, I knew that relationships took work, but I didn't know they'd could be so hard at times. Let me make it abudantly clear that Colin and I are doing just great, and we're not having a hard time right now. According to him, we've not had any, according to me, there have been a few (even if only for a couple of hours) tough times. But that's life, right? And nothing is easy. It's the hard that makes it good, it's the hard that makes it worth it, it's the hard that makes the easier so great! And in all truthfulness, maybe there's a small part of me who never really thought I'd be here, with someone like Colin, so happy and in love and in it for good. Maybe there's an insecure side of me who still can't believe we're both here, loving eachother and proving our loyalty and commitment. I've always considered myself a high-confidence person, but on some level, perhaps I am insecure like everyone else is from time to time. I am so glad Colin is here, I'm so proud of who I am, who he is, and who we are! I love that! But, yes, I admit it--sometimes this relationship stuff seems harder to me because I never thought it would happen so soon. I'm sure glad it has though and I hope and pray everyday that Colin will continue to forgive my teeny tiny insecurities and love me in spite of it. I really am in this for good!

Today, I was reading Hallmark's new magazine, and in it, there was an article about what makes a marriage last. You all know I'm into making good relationships of any kind last. And someday, when I'm married, I'll be totaly into making that last too! The article spoke about how it's not the big things that matter in a marriage, it's the little ones. I personally think it's the little things in life that matter, all the way around, but particularly in a marriage, or romantic relationship. In the magazine, this woman wrote an article about a list she'd kept of all the sweet/kind things her husband had done for her over the years. I think that is so sweet! I know we're not supposed to keep score of anything in a relationship, but let's face it, most of us do, especially if you're a woman, especially me. I keep track of most everything, good, bad and indifferent. It's both a blessing and a curse. Yesterday, Colin and I had an argument, and he said I'd done something that I know darn well I hadn't. He couldn't give me a specific about it, so I said "then, you can't use it so don't mention it." To which his response was "I'm not you, Sarah, I don't keep track of EVERY thing that's gone the last 6 or 7 months or however long it's been. Geeze!" LOL! He's aboslutely right. I have kept track of every thing, but what he doesn't know, is I also keep track of the GOOD things, the oustanding, fantastic things that make him so wonderful! The firsts, the moments I've realized that this could be something special, the day to day things, etc, etc, etc. A while back (I believe it was May 7th) I saw an episode of 'Friends' where Ross had made a list about Rachel and all of her faults. Let's be honest, we can all write that list too. For most people, it's much easier to keep track of the bad and annoying things than the good. Fortunately, I'm not one of those people. Sure, I could make a list (it'd be a short one!) of the things that Colin does that annoys me. He could do the same about me. No one is perfect. We all have flaws and we all have to learn to love and support one another in spite of those flaws and accept one another for who we are--the whole package, through and through. Anyway, while I'll admit to being aware of the "fault" list, I much prefer to look at "good" list. So, I'm going to make it right now. I think it's a great idea! That way, when your partner is driving up the wall (and not the good kind), you can look at this "nice list," and remember why you're with them, and remember the good in them!

So, here's my "nice list," about Colin:

The first time I went to his place and he made us dinner. He let me pick the movie. I picked 'Shrek'!

When he asked me on the phone one night early on "Don't we deserve this?" The great happiness we were about to bring one another!

On our first date he paid for the entire meal (as he should've, as all gentlemen should), but then, never once made me feel 'obligated,' because of it. (Ladies you know what I'm talking about!)

Every time he has opened the car door, or other door, to anywhere.

When he walks me down to my car when I leave his place, or meets me at my car when I arrive.

The first time he met my mother, instead of a hand shake, he gave her a hug! Very sweet!

The other day, when he asked me what I wanted to do for our 1 year Anniversary in Nov.--five months before hand. And then proceeded to suggest a cruise! How very cool!

Two weeks ago when he let me eat at Panda Express even though he doesn't care for it, and again, let me pick the movie we watched that night!

Today, when my stomach was hurting like hell from the good I'd eaten, he said "come here," and rubbed it for me.

Today, when he gave me a nice long kiss goodbye before I left his house! (I love kissing, him not so much, so when he plants a longer one on me, oh, I always remember it and it's always so incredibly sweet!).

When we went to LA in December 2006 and I met his family for the first time. He spent the days prior to it trying his best to calm down because I was kind of freaking out about it. (He was totally right about it though, they're awesome and we all love each other a lot now!).

Christmas night 2006 when he took me to his grandma's house when no one was home, just to show me the view of the city from her backyard. That was honestly one of the most special, precious and romantic moments of my life! I'll never forget it. It was sweet because it was family time, and yet, he took me aside to show me something beautiful that he knew I would love!

Disneyland, the day after Christmas, when we were arguing and then we stopped and laughed and said "what are we arguing about?" It turns out, we both were tired, hungry and in pain (my back, his feet), and we just wanted to stop and rest and make eachother all better!

When he lets me pick out the new wine we want to try. (I do drink occasionally, a sip or two here and there!)

When he makes CD's of "our" songs, or just any song that pertain to us, he's made two so far!!! :)

When he kisses the top of my head when we're standing in line at the grocery store It's so sweet and endearing!

When he makes my coffee in the morning so I don't have to. He doesn't drink it, so this is a really special, very appreicated treat!

When he cooks for me, anything, and always ask what I'd like him to cook!

When he asked me about a week and a half ago if I had any doubts about us. And when I said "yeah, but whatever." and he made me stop and tell him. He turned the TV off, sat down and actually listened, giving me his undivided attention. That meant the world to me!

On St. Patrick's Day at his house that night, we watched "Deep Impact," and both realized and admitted how much we truly care for another. And how the thought of either of us dying anytime soon scares the hell out of us. I realized just how much he meant to me, he admitted how much I meant to him!

On Dec. 20th, after a Christmas party I attended, I went over and he had candles lit all over his living room. He always has a candle or two lit, but that night, there were about 12 lit. They were white and cream, because he knows I love those color candles. Also that night, when we held each other on the couch and had our first talk about where this was going, or at least, where we hoped it would!

Anytime he holds my hand, but especially in the car!

In April, when we thought my grandma was literally almost dying in the hospital from surgical complications and I sat in his closet and cried about it. When I came out of the closet and called him and let me see the real me, the scared, weary, vulnerable woman I am at times. I balled my eyes out in his arms standing against the bathroom counter. Instead of saying "get over it," or asking me why I was crying. He made me look at him, looked me right in the eye and said "It'll be okay because I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you, baby. And at least your grandma knows you've got me, and you're happy." That was the weakest he's ever seen me and instead of shying away from it, he embraced it, totally touching!

This past Wednesday, when he knew my back hurt so bad and offered to rub it for me!

When he cleans up the kitchen after I cook.

When he makes sure there's cold water in the fridge, just waiting for me, because he knows I drink tons of it and prefer it to be cold!

The night at my grandma's in February when he sat and watched "Sleepless in Seattle," with me and my grandparents. A total chick flick, and something he probably would've never watched at home, but did so, because that's the movie my grandma had picked to watch!

The next night, when my grandma asked how many children he wanted and answered right away. Moreoever, when he offered to name our possible daughter after her and his (deceased) grandmother, both named Elizabeth!

When he sat and listened to my grandma tell stories about Italy and said "well, we're definately going there." I don't think he got it until then, how badly I want to go there! He does now! LOL! :)

When he gave my mom a Mother's Day card and said that he's glad she's in his life too, along with me! Touching and sweet!

When his grandmother Elizabeth died and I took him to the airport at 6am. The text message he sent me immediately after I dropped him off said "Thank you so much, I love you."

When he calls me from work when he's on a break, just to check in.

When he calls or text messages me anytime without my expecting it.

On April 15th when I woke up to a hand-written note that said "I'm in the bedroom on the computer. Come in when you're up. Happy Anniversary, I love you!."

When he made me a DVD of our first 110 Days together, and on it he put pictures of us and two of "our" songs. It said "I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

When he asked me the other day what I really want to do on our trip to California next month. Dodgers game, Catalina, Santa Barbara, relax, Hollywood, Universal Studios. It's totally up to me. And that is so cool!

The way he doesn't seem to mind his mom and I have our own friendship!

When he buys little things on clearance at his work because he thinks I might like them or be able to use them!

When he comes to MY house, even though it's far, because it means so much!

Valetine's Day: everything about it--the beautiful rose/lily boquet, the home cooked lobster dinner, the candles, the rose petals, the first song he ever played for me on the CD player, the sheer romance of it! Wow! Awesome!

The day he went on a picnic with me to the lakes around my house. Even though it was windy and not so warm, he sat on the grass by the lake with me and let me have my romantic moment come to life! :)

When he picks up things for me at the store when he's grocery shopping, like my favorite kind of chips, popcorn or Orange Juice!

The night he played his video game for hours on end and had no problem with me watching the big TV, or chatting on the phone with my friends! We each did our own thing that night, but in the same place. It was so nice! To be independent, and yet together at the same time! (mid-March that was!)

When he offered to pay for a popcorn at the movie a few weeks ago but I wouldn't let him him because $6.50 is just too damn much to pay for a SMALL popcorn!

Whenever he puts his arms around my waist or kisses my neck!

The way he just offered, right now, on the phone from work, to pick up dinner for us on his way home! :)

On April 6th, a Friday, when I had pnuemonia and he came and saw me at my place, even though my mom was home that day and my friend, JoJo was staying with me too. Also on that day, when he helped my mom put in our new entertainment center and then stuck around to talk with us women and laugh our heads off! Very cool!

When he offered to look around at the best prices for the new tires I'm gonna need on my car soon!

When he says that when we live together, he's doing the laundry because he knows how much I hate it! (I did my own laundry yesterday though, 1 small load, I did totally disklike it too!)

That's all I can think of right now, plus I'm super hungry, so I'm gonna go eat something! But, first, as always...I want to thank God for a truly lovely day! It was hot n' humid out today, but somewhat cloudy, which was so nice! I had a great n' peaceful shower this morning and talked to my grandma E. too! I got watch Ocean's 12 with Colin and look at some other really cute guys in the movie! Always a plus! Thanks babe! I got to browse around botiques and take it easy and slow today. It was fabulous! So, thank you Lord for a gorgeous day! As always, You and my life are totally awesome! Please keep my blessings coming, and continue to bless all those I love and adore! Goodnight!

In Light N' Love,
-Sarah Liz :)

P.S. This "nice list," is a great idea! I'm going to keep it going! And I've probably helped Colin out a lot, because now he knows flat out the things I love when he does them! ;) Of course, maybe I've screwed myself here, because most men like a little mystery. Oh well, he'll still keep thinking of ways to make me happy and please me and actually, not absolutely everything is on the list. Some things are just in my own head and I think I'll keep it that way, I like it! :)