Today was the first day since the we changed the clocks, that I got to experience spring. It never ceases to amaze me how 1 more hour of daylight can completely change your mood, attitude, and outlook on life. I left work, raced home, ran to
Dun kin donuts, downed an iced coffee, and mentally prepared myself for the run of my life. Despite the cars honking, bus exhaust, cat calls and cigarette smoke from the cafes- I actually love to run around my neighborhood in the city. There's so much happening! On a day like today, EVERYONE is outside...not just the crazy Greeks smoking their cigars and drinking coffee.
What's the first thing I notice?- Love is in the air my friends! There are couples holding hands, kissing on the corners, and laying in the grass. As I run (solo) down the block, I momentarily get sad that I'm not holding any ones hand. I quickly dismiss that thought knowing there will be plenty of opportunities in the next few months to make O hold hands with me on a fine spring day.
I run past a park and see boys of all ages playing basketball. A group of girls on the side of the court, laughing, flipping their hair, talking just loud enough to try and distract their crushes. I wonder- which one was I? Was I the annoying loud girl, or the girl that wants to be noticed and plays the quite card?
As my shins start to burn and I slow down, I notice another young couple in front of me. They look to be around the same age as the other youngsters sticking their tongues down each other's throats. But wait- do I sense some tension here? There body language is indicating that Cupid's arrow missed these two. I momentarily feel her pain. She's mad, pissed off at him. Her head is down, but she keeps moving towards him, and then backing away. I'm watching a magical dance of will power- forgive him or not? "It's a beautiful spring day damn it! We aren't supposed to be fighting! I just couldn't help getting mad that you were talking to Danielle in OUR spot in the hallway outside Math Class. " Cut to me thinking- "what an ass!". I then look at the boyfriend. His hands are in his pockets. I stare at him, try to read his expression, his thoughts. The same way the girlfriend longingly looked at him... he now looks at the basketball court, wishing he was there I'm sure.
I'm convinced that their negative energy is what's creating the pain in my shins, and I take a break by the river. As I'm looking for my next couple to day dream about, I realize that 95% of the men in these couples look miserable! I catch these sympathetic looks and nods they give each other. "Yo, my girl made me come here too".
Why is it that women are always looking to create "a moment". I know for myself my ingredient list always starts with warm weather. I've been known to say to O on such days, "let's walk to the grocery store together!"(it's a least 1 mile from his apartment- uphill) Or, "let's go watch the little league game!" (we don't know anyone who plays little league). Or, "remember that article I told you about with the 500 year old tree in Forrest Park.....let's go find it!" Surely some stranger was staring at us, watching O carry 10 grocery bags uphill to the apartment, giving him the "nod" while I forcibly held his hand.
Today was just another example of how we really do create our own happiness. I'm glad I didn't ask O to join me on some crazy adventure just to "feel the love in the air". My adventures don't put the love in his air.
Sometimes you should have the 65 degrees all to yourself.
