"Try them and you may, I say."

You do not like them.

So you say.

Try them! Try them!

And you may.

Try them and you may, I say.

(Green Eggs and Ham is one of Zachary's favorite books, and I couldn't help but think of that part when I decided it was time to post a blog.)

With so much going on in our lives over the last several years, Geno and I have spent so much time taking care of everyone else and just getting through the days that we haven't had time to focus on the two of us and really enjoy life. Our lives became routine and we moved from one event to the next without taking time for what was most important...US.

Since the passing of Geno's dad we have realized how precious time is and that we can either take control and use it to our advantage or just let it pass by and continue to control us. So, we have finally decided to make US a priority. We have made it a priority to spend EVERY Friday night together on a date. We have spent hours and hours talking and discussing what is most important to each of us, what we each need in our lives, recalling memories and planning for our future. It is amazing what communication can do for a relationship!

We have both commented that we feel like when we first met and were so in love with each other and couldn't get enough of one another--only now we are at the other end of parenthood and soon will have just the two of us to focus on! We have been through so much together and made it through still in love, and we can make it through anything TOGETHER.

What does this have to do with my chosen title you ask...well, Geno and I have always disagreed when it comes to one thing--CUDDLING. Either you are a cuddler or you are not. I don't think that there is any gray area here. Actually, I don't think that we have ALWAYS disagreed either. When we were first together, I always cuddled up to Geno at night. Geno had these horrible muscle reflexes and would jerk violently. One night he popped me right in the cheek bone and bruised it, and then didn't believe me when I told him that he did it. I tried a new position the next night and he popped me in the nose and bloodied it! I woke him up this time to show him. I still cuddled up to him, though, and just practiced defensive sleeping ;o) I still took the time and snuggled up to him while watching a movie or just when we were enjoying life together.

But, over time, I stopped cuddling. I didn't like how hot natured he is and complained that it was too warm. His chest grew larger with all of the working out and I complained that putting my head on his chest caused pain in my neck. I got so busy with the boys and all of the activities that I no longer sat down and cuddled because it was unproductive, and I don't do well with not being productive all the time. I guess I just got so used to not cuddling that I didn't even think about how nice it used to be.

So, in all of our talking lately, he reminded me how much he liked and needed that closeness from me, and something amazing happened...

I tried it and I liked it!

I can't go to sleep now without him right next to me, and some of my best nights of sleep have been the ones where we wake up in the exact same position we were in when we fell asleep! With a little talking and experimenting, we have found sleep positions where we are both comfortable and still have the closeness. Geno made his way out of his new recliner and now sits with me in my over-sized recliner where we both fit comfortably. I enjoy it so much that I think I might be needing it more than him now, but he isn't complaining. He is enjoying every minute of it. And with all of my complaining that Geno is freezing me out since he is so hot-natured, why didn't it just occur to me that I had a heater to cuddle up to this whole time? Who knew Geno was so smart? ;o)

It is amazing what a little communication can do for a marriage! We have promised one another not to let life keep getting in the way of us. What is most important has always been right in front of us, we just needed to make time for it. I love this picture we took on our last date night. We were having a picnic by the lake. I love to see the happiness in our faces. Life is good :o)