Wednesday, May 16, 2018

What Does Love Look Like?





Talk about a lucky woman.  In the month of April, I was able to visit two blog friends who live in opposite directions across the wide USA.  Yes, I have met them both in person on girls' trips in the last few years, but I had never visited them in their homes or met their spouses.  It was a new experience for me, and I was so excited to see each woman in her own domain.


Although one lives in a small town and the other lives in a large city, their homes were both warm and inviting.  Just different scenery out the windows.  Both friends were so generous with their time and the unique locations close by that we explored together.  I always love to share the sights special to my region of the country when people come to stay, and I sincerely hope both friends come to visit Sam and I one day soon.  Husbands, too, of course!




Most times our homes are a reflection of who we really are.  We put our stamp on it more than any other place in our world.  I loved seeing each friend's style personality in the rooms of their house.  The colors, the furniture, and especially the comfy places where they relax and write.  One of my favorite discoveries!  Now whenever I read a post they put up, I can picture them having their coffee or juice as they type and turn those spankings into stories.




And I think I examined every picture in each house, except for the ones in the master bedrooms.  Art usually has a story, and it was such a treat for me to hear those stories from my friends and their dear men, too.  

Visiting local restaurants or enjoying the cooking in friends' kitchens always seem to bring people together, even those meeting for the first time.  A favorite Italian restaurant, a market full of fresh food, goodies from a special bakery.  And it was something past wonderful to sample the local microbreweries.
  



So, I suppose the suspense has gone on long enough, readers.  With pleasure I will let you know that my visits took me first to PK and Nick's house.  When I returned home, there was barely time to get the laundry caught up before a second visit had Sam and I traveling to the home of Meredith and Jack.  New airports and introductions, lots of talk, settling in, and presents, too. 




Everything I have shared with you so far made these trips delightful and memorable.  I couldn't thank these couples enough.  But there was something else that made me smile to myself throughout both visits.  It was seeing the relationship between each friend and her husband.   Up until last month, I mostly knew about their relationships through the dozens and dozens of posts on these two friends' blogs.  PK and her Nick.  Meredith and her Jack.  Actually, I think it was PK who once wrote that ttwd wives appreciate their guys in a way you don't see often in this big world.  No trash talking our husbands.




So what does love look like in a ttwd home?  Remember that old song, "The Look of Love" by Burt Bacharach?  Here's a few of the lyrics to help you recall.  It was a very pretty song, and watching each couple together made me think of it again.


                               The look of love
                               Is in your eyes
                               The look your smile can't disguise
                               The look of love
                               Is saying so much more
                               Than just words could ever say....


So here's a peek at the love I saw in these two homes.




  • Heard a voice that was softer when her man was in the room.  
  • Watched her eyes glued on him when he was talking.
  • Her hand on his knee.  His hand on hers.
  • Saw her smile when she read his text.
  • His quick touch of her hair. 
  • Felt his protectiveness when he insisted she drive his car for a longer outing.
  • Standing close in the kitchen and working together.
  • Smiled to myself when she literally "leaned in" when he was telling a story. 
  • Her appreciating him opening doors for her.
  • A hand reaching for a hand as they walked ahead.
  • Noticing how each partner listened actively to the other.
  • A kiss before he left the house.
  • An arm around her shoulders as they sat together.
  • His hand on the small of her back.
  • Genuine laughter when he was funny.
  • A smile across the room.
  • Her showing concern for his parent.
  • Stopping herself when she began to interrupt.
  • Showing off something he built.
  • The sweet and sexual tension between a husband and a wife.




If I had sat with a notebook in my lap, there were probably many more words, gestures, and examples of positive body language between the couples.  Even so, one of the most wonderful things about these trips was to watch This Thing We Do in action.  There were no spankings that I know about, but I surely did get to witness the love about which I have so often read when I visit New Beginnings online or check out any "new twists" at Meredith and Jack's house.

  Thanks, my friends, for two lovely trips with two lovely couples.


  


 





 

28 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story with us, Ella! I absolutely love the way you wrote it. Great imagery! Looking forward to more!! And, you are so blessed to have been with your friends in person and vice versa!

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    1. So glad that you found the imagery enjoyable. I often try to make that strong in my writing. As for friends, I often think of a quote from Abraham Lincoln.

      "The better part of one's life consists of his friendships."

      Hugs From Ella

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  2. Hi Ella, what a lovely post. How lucky you are to meet two of our favourite bloggers, for real!!
    love Jan, xx

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    1. Thanks, Jan. Hoping to meet up with you again very soon. I would really enjoy a real hug from you. :)

      Hugs Across the Pond,
      Ella

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  3. Beautiful post, Ella!

    For me, it would be amazing to one day be able to have a real life sit down conversation with someone from our little tribe. The fact the you all got together as couples must have been extra special. So happy for you that you had such a wonderful time.

    I am a people watcher and as such, often take note of how couples interact with one another. With some we know, I shake my head and wonder how they manage to be together given the disrespect they show and then there are others whose love shines through in often small but telling ways. I loved your list of loving signs :>))

    Hugs
    NJ

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    1. Someday I would love to have a sit down with you, NJ. We were a lucky group when you joined us.

      I do know what you mean about the disrespect some spouses show for each other. I usually put some distance between us eventually. Much prefer to see the love as I wrote above.

      Hugs From Ella

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  4. Hi Ella,

    What a lovely post and reflection on ttwd from the outside looking in (as is were). I know if we were visiting you and Sam we would see the same things :)

    How wonderful that you were able to meet these two awesome friends and their husbands. I would love to be able to meet blog friends face to face.

    Hugs
    Roz

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    1. Oh, Roz, I am always so pleased when you come to visit my blog. Your words are always so loving.

      Believe me, if I ever fly down under, I will find a way to see you, my friend.

      Hugs From Ella

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  5. Ella, this is a lovely and loving account of ttwd marriages. So beautifully written, as always.
    Rosie xx

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    1. Hi Rosie Girl. I really didn't plan to write a post about it, but seeing the love between these couples was one of my favorite parts of each trip.

      Hugs Across the Pond,
      Ella

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  6. Ella,
    Thank you for your keen eye observations. Lovely post about two very special visits. I had no idea you were taking notes. Glad I was a good girl!
    Meredith

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    1. Blogger got away from me......... we had a fun visit and are pleased you had a good time.
      M

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    2. I wasn't taking notes, Meredith, but you and Jack together was something special to see. Thanks again for a trip to remember.

      Hugs From Ella

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  7. This is a lovely account of two lovely visits. It’s wonderful that you were able to spend time with blogger friends, you are a lucky duck Ella! Your list of observations from these two visits are really nice to read, it’s obvious that these two homes were filled to the brim with love and respect.

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    1. So glad you have come to visit, Laurel. A home with love and respect is the best kind to visit. Lots of happy memories.

      Hugs From Ella

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  8. Ella it was a lovely visit. I'll never be a cook but you were most welcomed. I'm glad you liked Nick because he's a real sweetie. Now that you saw my writing room you know why I'm a home body. I'm very comfortable in my little corner of the world.

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    1. Thanks again, PK, and a big hug to Nick. Yes, I did love your writing room. Very inspirational and all of us out here are glad of that. Counting the days.

      Hugs From Ella

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  9. I love how you write. Beautiful post and a wonderful account of your visits.

    Love,
    Ronnie
    xx

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    1. Thanks so much for the compliment on my writing. I am not very speedy, but I like it to meet a standard. Hope to visit you soon, too, Ronnie!

      Hugs Across the Pond,
      Ella

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  10. Ella what a lovely description of your two trips. How lucky are you to not only meet your blogger friends but their husbands as well. Their love shows through in the way you wrote this.
    Hugs Lindy xx

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    1. There is a goodly amount of love in those 2 homes. I already told Roz that if I ever fly down under, I will find a way to meet you both. What a hug that would be.

      Sending Hugs Down Under,
      Ella

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  11. Hi Ella, :) What a lovely account of your fine visits with two special blogger friends! Sound like love was in the air, for sure! I always enjoy your writing so very much! Many hugs,

    ❤️Katie xoxo

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    1. Katie, I always miss you so much when you are busy. Thanks for the comment and hugs. Need a real hug from you, my friend.

      Love,
      Ella

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  12. What a lovely post. Those are the kindest ways to describe your (our) friends. I am so glad that you got to visit both of them.

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    1. They were all the best of hosts, for sure. We saw so much (and ate so much) that I was plumb worn out. Lots of good times and very special people.

      Hugs From Ella

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  13. Wow Ella! First of all, how exciting that you visited blog friends. That is very cool. The observations you made... you could have been describing Eric and me. I think you are right. There is a subtle difference, a certain closeness, that comes with this dynamic.
    Amy

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    1. Oh, Amy, if my post describes you and Eric then you are one lucky couple. I don't know if anyone else would notice, but I think ttwd makes it something above just a "good" marriage.

      Hugs From Ella

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  14. wonderfully written story :-) Hugs

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