1990: Another new decade. Over the last couple of years, Cal and I talked about building a house, then we bought a lot, hired an architect, bid it out, and selected a builder. But it’s not until February when we break ground that I understand we’re really going to do this. Being the go-to person for the project is a full-time job. In the spring, on a Sunday, I must choose where the light switches will go–this takes an entire day. Somewhere in here, my father buys me a car phone. He’s all about safety and believes the $1000 is well spent. In May I fly to Portland to meet Cal. The plane is so empty I’m the only one on a row of five seats. When the plane takes off, I lie down. Five hours later, I wake up as we’re landing. In June Cal and I celebrate five years. This is important. Again we spend a week in July in Ponte Vedra, Florida, which is where Cal spent his summers growing up. I am unused to going to the beach and seeing the same people I see at home. The last week of summer my parents offer to keep all the kids for three days. They even drive to Columbus to pick them up. The first night Cal and I stay up very late, lying on the floor of the den, playing albums on the stereo system I bought in law school–Eddie and the Cruisers and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road and Bella Donna, lifting the needle to play “Leather and Lace” over and over again. The next morning my mother calls at eight. Jack has fever; she’s bringing them home. The week after Thanksgiving we move into our new house.
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I love that photo of you and the kids! I started a family early too, in my mid 20s. This a fun meme – a year by year count to 60. I’m enjoying your posts.
Thanks, Sarah, although I’m not sure what you mean by “meme.” Hope things are well in England.
That sounds like the best plane trip EVER.
Is this the house you live in, now? My father always said no one is ever fully happy with a house they build. Is he right?
I felt so sad about the fever, the kids coming back. Even 3 days for just the two of you must have been an exceedingly rare gift.
It is the house we live in now. And yes, your father is right. We wanted a wrap-around porch and kept asking the architect to add it, and he kept not adding it and we finally just gave up. We wanted a bigger shower but then we would have had to give up the tub under the window…