Before we had children, the hubz and I had a tradition of taking a walk during the first big snow of the year. We’d bundle up around midnight and stroll under the glow of the street lights, talking about whatever sprang to mind. There’s nothing more peaceful and romantic than walking hand in hand in the quiet radiance of a winter snowfall. It was a special moment I looked forward to every year.
Now that the three mini-Coopers have joined the family, we don’t have the freedom to just walk out the door and explore a marshmallow world. In fact, we haven’t taken that annual walk in years.
Last Friday night, it snowed like the dickens. In a matter of a few short hours, the cold, bare, late autumn appearance of our neighborhood was replaced by a dazzling winter wonderland.
The kids and I watched out the window all night as the transformation took place. It was breathtaking. My oldest son was inspired to pull out some of his favorite Christmas movies, like “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” My 3-year-old ran from window to window looking for snowmen, as if they would spontaneously generate and stand guard in every yard in the neighborhood. My youngest, who is only 19 months old, just stared out the window in amazement. He had no idea what to make of this new development.
I sat silently, watching as the snow filled the yard, covered the streets and rested on the giant branches of the large spruce tree in front of our house. I couldn’t help but reminisce about those winter walks, and I began to really, really miss them.
After all the children were fast asleep, I settled in on the couch with a cup of cocoa and started flipping through TV channels. My husband must have sensed my mood, because he walked into the living room with my coat in one hand and the baby monitor in the other.
Our house is situated on a corner lot, and we have a fairly large yard, so rather than hoofing it for blocks, we walked back and forth on the sidewalk that outlines our little corner of the universe. It was just as beautiful and even more romantic than any other winter stroll we’ve ever shared.
It was perfect.
Having children has changed certain things, but it hasn’t had an effect on how we feel about each other or the fact that those intimate moments are still important. Looking back, I regret letting so many years go by without our snowy walk.
No matter how hectic life can be with such a lively brood, there are always opportunities to keep traditions alive and to just enjoy the time we can spend together as a couple, not just as parents and partners. Those precious moments are what keep our marriage a romance.
Image Source: flickr.com/photos/francescog/3066372060
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