Okay, so I am about a year into this “change of life” that culminated in my marriage and the addition of three amazing kids to my household - so what’s the verdict? Duh - you KNOW I think it rocks.
A lot has changed in the last year. Again - duh. I am writing this post sitting in our new chocolate shop - Sweet Wimberley, located right off the square in Wimberley, Texas… who saw THAT coming? Dawn, the kids, and I own five acres in the beautiful hill country that surrounds Wimberley. I drive kids to school in the mornings, take them to scouts and Young Women’s at the church and barbecue in the backyard. My long-time friends ask, “Who are you and what did you do with Chris?” He just grew up is all.
I spend each day more thankful than the one before. I am thankful that I was born in the United States, thankful that I grew up and live in Texas, thankful for my beautiful, intelligent wife, thankful for the blessings that are Kenzie, Logan and Dallin, thankful that I have the best Mom ever, thankful for life lessons taught by my father, thankful to have intelligent and fun siblings that wouldn’t hesitate to give me the shirt off their backs, thankful for the opportunities I have had to learn and to grow along the way, thankful to be surrounded by great friends, thankful for my health and thankful most of all that, despite a lifetime of stubbornness and pride, I have learned to stop and be grateful - to acknowledge just how lucky I am.
When something goes right for a person, you have heard them exclaim, “must be good living.” I hope where I find myself now is a reward for trying to do the right thing, but even if it isn’t - I’ll take it.
Who would have thunk it? This is me - the guy that spent years saying that “all women are crazy” and “you have to be nuts to get married” has gotten hitched! What gives? Did I lose my mind and drink the kool-aid?
Well, it is way too long to get into here, but rest assured, that guy has learned the error of his ways and now realizes just what a great thing marriage is. Yes, at around 1:30pm on Saturday, December 19th, I was married to my high school sweetheart - Dawn, and couldn’t be happier. Nothing has ever felt more “right” and no decision I have ever made proven to be smarter.
I officially resign my commission as self-appointed General of the Confirmed Bachelor Corps. As I say often to Dawn, “It’s a whole new life!” and it feels like this is going to be my most exciting adventure ever!
That’s right! I have broken the 200lb barrier. Thinking back, the last time my weight began with a 1 instead of a 2, I was about a year out of college. I have officially now lost 41 pounds and accomplished the initial goal I set for my “getting back in shape” plan.
In retrospect, it was much easier than I imagined and never once left me feeling hungry or over-exercised. Through a series of minor lifestyle modifications, it came off slowly and steadily. We are not talking rocket science nor Herculean effort here.
I would like to continue to drop some weight just because the gut is still too big. That said, I’m pretty sure that’s about all I am going to lose for awhile. I have a couple things working against any further weight loss. I am eating a lot more recently because I have been hanging with people that make amazing homemade dinners every time I come near, also, things are really getting busy with work. Between football season about to go full blast and the videography gigs picking up speed… Jack is a very busy boy.
One last thing and probably the most important - when I first set the goal to crack 200, I told myself that I would dream up some great reward in honor of the accomplishment. I thought about skydiving - buying some cool new electronic gadget - taking a trip - you name it, none of it really seemed worthy of what amounts to erasing 20 years of poor eating and exercise habits.
Then, without noticing, I had my reward. It wasn’t one that I set out for myself. It wasn’t something I ever even imagined. It was something much more rewarding and much more worthwhile. I found happiness.
Not just “I’m the fun guy, jokester that enjoys a good laugh,” but happiness on the inside. Call it a peacefulness, call it joy, call it serenity, call it love. Whatever you call it - we’re talking about good stuff.
Let me preface this by saying, I am the most flirtatious and charming guy you will ever meet. I don’t say that to brag, but to explain my nature. I have been a flirt since I was a small boy - it is my nature. I aim to be charming with everyone - from a hottie walking down the street, to the freakin’ mailman. It doesn’t matter if the person is 8 or 80, I enjoy making people smile and laugh and take joy from the positive feedback I receive. This isn’t done to get someone in bed, or even start a relationship - it’s just to share in a little positivity.
I have had to sit back and evaluate this part of my personality in light of my new relationship. It adds an entirely new element to “my nature.” Now, I have to deal with feelings of guilt, jealousy, and more. Is it right for me to flirt with a member of the opposite sex? Is that something that can coincide with a healthy relationship? Will it cause fear and doubt in the mind of my spouse/girlfriend? Is it okay to flirt and be charming as long as the subject is someone that I would have no interest in (someone too old, too young, wrong sex, etc.) ?
Is it fair to the object of my flirtation? I have no doubt that my current relationship is “the one.” Should the fact that I am “off the market” make it cruel or mean of me to give false hope to someone else?
If I were single, would this change the answer to any of those things? If I am viewing all these flirtations as superficial, fun diversions - it that fair to the flirtees?
Or, is the act of flirtation innocent and something that should be enjoyed by all involved? How do you go about doing that yet still making it perfectly clear that it is just simple hi jinx and nothing more?
I am guessing that 1) flirting with others while in a relationship is something that should be curtailed whether you mean it innocently or not, 2) flirting with others while not involved is something that is fun, but you need to be careful to not mislead someone. What are your thoughts?
For the first time in at least a dozen or more years, the first of the Grand Tours (cycling’s big three races) has came and nearly gone without my noticing. Usually, the Giro d’Italia is my warm-up to the Tour de France. Often the drama is more riveting and, at times, the performances are more impressive than those of “Le Tour.” The dramatic stage wins of “Super Mario” Cippolini and amazing mountain wins by “Il Pirata” Marco Pantani are part of cycling legend.
Stage 17 was underway today and until last night, I had no clue the thing had even started! What could possibly have distracted me from one of my favorite events of the year? Let’s just call it an “affair of the heart.” Yes, I have been so preoccupied with other things that I missed it entirely. The good news is that thanks to modern media, all is not lost.
Not only are each of the days television coverage available LIVE online, they are all archived. This means that I can watch them all in order, and since the Giro doesn’t really hit the news in the US, it won’t be ruined by spoilers. As of this afternoon, between letting the coverage run while I work and do other things, I am just finishing up the end of Stage 4. Thirteen more stages and I will be caught up - should be just in time for the conclusion of the tour.
I also have to give a big shoutout to Universal Sports for the great coverage of the event. This looks like another great move by NBC that, along with Hulu, continues to prove they get new media.
I am pleased to see Lance Armstrong’s new team, Astana, doing well as well as Team Columbia High Road - another team I like - turning in a good tour. I am wondering what happened to George Hincapie as the last time I saw him, he was on Team Columbia High Road, but doesn’t seem to be in Italy at all - perhaps they are saving him for the Tour de France.
A very close friend and I were talking about the subject of “getting butterflies” from a relationship. We were discussing how it is common for those to go away after the initial excitement of a relationship wanes. It was my contention however, that they do not have to end.
Scientists have analyzed the “butterfly effect” (as it applies to relationships - not a butterfly flapping its wings on the other side of the world) and many write it off to nervousness and fear of the unknown from a new relationship. That certainly holds some merit. Everyone is a bit nervous at the start of something new. I think that it is MUCH more than that though.
I have seen people who have been in relationships for decades, and you can still see the physical change that comes over a spouse with the simplest of touches, or words from the other. Those same butterflies cause a wave of emotion as strong as any created at the onset of the coupling.
I’ve long been called overly-optimistic and even naive when it comes to happiness, but I see it every single day - even in my business life. Sure, when I start something new - a new venture, or project at work, there are butterflies of excitement. But you know what? Long after the new venture has passed into the “old hat” category, I still get that excitement at the prospect of a new day in that old venture. It works because I make DAMN sure to only choose to do business with people that I love to be around. If a relationship - business or romantic - is not an expression of honest, and committed efforts by all involved - you owe it to the people who count on you to cut it fast and keep pressing forward with the healthy partnerships.
A coworker stopped me the other day in fact, and simply asked, “Why are you so damn happy all the time?” Its because I do what I love and love what I do - that causes fresh excitement every single day.
Romantic relationships are no different. Be with who you love, and commit to love who you’re with - but make sure that you choose someone who can deliver the same. The butterflies will continue to flutter long after the body sags a bit and the wrinkles get more pronounced.
