Anthony's alarm goes off and we both stretch as we try to climb through the fog off sleep that covers us in a thick blanket. He turns over, turns the alarm off, and with his adorable sleepy face, tells me he loves me and sweetly kisses my drowsy lips. We lay there for a second and I lay my head on his chest so I can listen to his heartbeat and quiet breathing....he's dozed off again, but I let him sleep for just a little bit longer. Soon the day will start. Soon we'll have to leave our safe haven, go about our responsibilities, and face the giant jar of mystery candies that is our world.
Soon we wake up and slide out from underneath the warmth and comfort of our covers. Our house carries the whisper of cool morning air as the sun outstretches its rays through the trees shadowing our windows, reaching to reclaim what the night took from it. I walk out of our room and feel the cool hardwood beneath my feet...I shiver and wiggle my toes. I look at the beautiful home that we've started to create together and stand there for a moment so I can breath it in with the peace that comes with a new day.
As I walk to the kitchen and I see Anthony setting the table for breakfast. He hasn't seen me so I stand there for a second and watch him sleepily, wondering how I got so lucky.
His beautiful green eyes and his golden heart light up the whole room and for a second I wonder if he is the sun. Suddenly he looks up and smiles his perfect crooked smile at me and I have to catch my breath. He caught me. We sit down at the table we refinished together and burned our wedding date into and bless our breakfast. He has to leave for school soon and I'm dreading it as it inches closer and closer. We eat our cereal, ask how the other slept, and talk about what we have to do for the day...He finishes his cereal before mine and gently caresses my spoon-free hand. I wonder how it's possible for someone to be so cute with a spoon full of Cinnamon Crunch in his mouth. We get up, rinse our dishes and hug each other for a moment. We know we'll have to leave the comfort of each other soon and try to shove the thought away.I pull back and look at the cute little freckles on his face through his thick black-rimmed glasses and dark brown hair that curls slightly at the ends. My stomach falls as he grabs his backpack and starts to put his day of learning into its wide awaiting zipper. He zips it shut and we look at each other for a moment before he takes my hand and pulls me in for one last hug. I smile up at him and tell him how much I love him as he gently kisses my forehead and tells me "I love you more."
I shut the door and let out a sigh, knowing that our house just won't be the same until he walks into it again. I walk across the floor back to our table to pray for him. I pray that he will be kept safe and will return home safely. I pray for his dreams, his hopes, his goals, and his happiness because that is all I want for him. As long as that is true for him, that is all I need...I am happy. I look at the clock and know I have a little more time before I need to start my so I crawl back into bed for one last bit of shut eye and notice how lonely our bed is without him in it...I miss him already.
It only feels like a second has passed when I wake up again and plan out what I need to do before my night shift at 5:00pm. I keep myself busy, I try not to think about the long hours at work ahead of me and before I know it I'm putting on my Costa Vida Uniform, and throwing my hair into a high messy bun with curls shooting out every which way. I look at my face in the mirror and notice the light splatter of freckles that dust my nose and the outsides of my lips (I swear there are more there than there was yesterday) and wonder where I'm supposed to go in life, what my purpose is, and how I can reach my full potential. I think about how fast time will go before I'm looking at curly hair shooting out every which way and the splatter of freckles on my children's faces instead of my own. I smile as I'm reminded of how badly I dream of being a mother, and I leave the hopeful face in the mirror.
Work goes by fast from going, going, going non-stop. After 4 hours of cleaning the lobby, checking people at the register, and helping to prepare food as fast as I possibly can while still being functional and friendly, I leave for my much needed fifteen minute break. As soon as I'm in line to get my Mango Chicken Salad with a wheat tortilla and a Diet Coke. I notice how hungry I am as pull out my royal blue-cased phone. Seconds later I'm wrapped up in the rich tone of Anthony's sweet familiar voice. I suddenly have more energy than before and know I can face the next 2 hours with a smile on my face. I enjoy hearing how his day went as I try and finish my food as fast as I can....15 minutes really isn't that much time when you have two important things to focus on at once such as good food and your hot husbands voice that you've missed all day.
I force myself to tell Anthony's loving voice goodbye as I get back to work. The line which was out the door before is slowing down and an hour later the night time clean up starts. I work surly but steadily in closing down the lobby. My feet ache as I sweep and mob the hard floors in my black, anti-slip, rocks would be more comfortable restaurant shoes that feel like they will never be broken into no matter how much I wear them. I finish and wipe away the little beads of sweat on my forehead, hand in my apron, take off my hat, and put my name tag in my purse. I put on my jacket as I stare at the now barren and dark Mexican Grill that was so busy and teaming with life, excitement, and the smell of homemade tortillas only one hour before. It's 11:00pm as I walk through the October chill to my car. I call my sweet husband and tell him I'm on my way home to him.
The 29 steps up to our apartment door seem like they will never end. As soon as I turn the doorknob Anthony wraps me up into the safety of his arms as we both let out a sigh of relief knowing that our day of obligations isn't separating us anymore.
Anthony has a little bit of homework left to do but we walk to our deep green couch and take a minute to relax. I pull off my shoes and Anthony pulls my legs over so he can rub my sore feet. I giggle at the fact that he lit a candle for me to come home to and that he doesn't just rub my feet because their sore, but because he actually enjoys it. We talk, laugh together, and goof off effortlessly.
We talk about how our days went, the funny things that happened to us, and the things that we learned and Before we know it, relax time is over and Anthony leaves to finish his homework.I feel exhausted but accomplished and happy from my hard days work and I am beyond elated to finally be home with Anthony even if he has to do homework. Being in a room with him while he studies is better than being anywhere without him...as long as we're in the same part of the house I can't complain. I walk into our cozy room as fast as I can. I change into my sweatpants and watch an episode of my favorite t.v. show to pass the time until I can finally crawl back into bed and fall asleep with the man of my dreams. I change and make myself comfortable on the couch. Before my show is over, Anthony walks over, trying to rub the sleepiness from his face but it doesn't work...he's about ready to drop and it is absolutely adorable. I smile at him and we walk hand in hand down the hallway to our bedroom. After shutting the door behind us, we kneel down together and say our prayers, and as fast as the day started, we are back right where we began...ready to let the haze of our heavy eyelids and our long days overcome us in a deep, much needed sleep. Anthony falls asleep before I do like most nights. I'm in awe of how peaceful and content he looks and I want to keep the image in my mind forever...I want to stay in the beautiful moment that comes with starting and ending your day with your soul mate, your strength, your laughter, your biggest fan, and your best friend. it isn't long until I'm drifting off to the sound of his breath hitting his pillow and the gentle feeling of his fingertips against mine.
