We decided to do something different this year.  No breakfast in bed or steak dinner.  Just a fun day with each other. So we took an early morning drive up to Mountain High in the San Gabriel Mountains for a day of snowboarding.  The weather was perfect.  Warm and beautiful, just the way we like it.

The mountain was busy but we found some trails that had a lot less traffic and enjoyed a solid 4 hours of snowboarding.  Then the The All-Star tried to be a little more All-Starry than he actually is.  He landed the jump fine the first time around.  It was the second time when we tried to get the perfect camera shot that the accident happened.

As the ambulance backed away from the mountain first-aid station, he smiled, I smiled back. Bye Valentine.

One helicopter ride for him, and an hour drive for me later, we were reunited at the Antelope Valley Hospital for pain killers and x-rays.

Together again. That is until they wheeled him off to the operating table.

And as I sat there in the OR waiting room, alone and worried, watching China’s short-program duo break their own world record, I realized what better way to show you care than to be there for the one you love.  Sure it sucked, and I wanted to cry a couple of times, but I knew I had to be strong when they wheeled him back out. Later, as I tried to sleep in the chair next to his hospital bed, holding his hand, I decided that that was what Valentine’s Day is really all about.  I was showing my favorite that I love him and in the best way I know how. I was by his side when he needed me.  And when he looked up and apologized, I finally let a few tears drop and assured him that I was just happy that he was okay, and that we were together.  And I meant it.

Monday morning after a long night and a long car ride, we were finally home, safe and almost sound, and there was a sweet surprise awaiting me there. Thanks baby!  I love you too!

Apparently, he took these out of their hiding place when he ran back in on Sunday to get the camera.  Stupid camera, the cause of all this.

So that was my holiday. The important thing is that he’s okay and while he’s in a lot of pain now, and may be for a while, it was just a couple of broken bones and they will certainly heal. And he’s in for a couple of weeks of coddling and special attention. Valentine’s Day should be every day, right? Looks like it will be.

What a day.  I am exhausted.  We were on the slopes snowboarding for at least 6 hours today plus another 2 miles or so of walking, all with about ten pounds of gear on and a snowboard in tow.  If that doesn’t make up for a day without a run then forget screw this challenge.  Just kidding, the challenge will continue.  I actually like it.  In fact, I do believe it gave me the strength to take on my first blue diamond today!  Can’t beat that!  And even better than taking on that scary mountain… I finally got a board all of my own. No more rentals for me! Thanks All-Star.

I’d like to write more.  I could tell you about how beautiful the weather was, and the snow conditions, and the bruises I’ll have for the next week, but I’m too tired to think and my fingers will start typing all sorts of nonsense and no one really needs to read nonsense at this hour, am I right?  So instead, here are some pictures of our fun in the sun at Snow Summit.  Enjoy.

Daily inspirational mention…

No Fear!

On Tuesday, I found out that I was to have yesterday off from work.  I immediately texted The All-Star.  We both knew exactly what we’d do.  We’re in Southern California, it’s almost winter, and a weekday…we’re going snowboarding!

Bright and early, with a friend along for the ride, we drove up to Mountain High Ski Resort for a full day of winter sporting.  What a great time!  I’m not gonna lie, it was cold on the lift, and the clouds were low so it was sometimes hard to see.  But we were greeted by sun and higher temperatures each time we reached the bottom and warmed up enough to jump right back on the lift and do it again.  I’d say we got in a good 20+ runs!

This is probably my sixth season on the slopes.  That does not, however, mean that I am an expert snowboarding.  Quite the contrary.  Three trips each winter meant it was a good year.  Many were not good years.  But since living in So. Cal, with a longer season and less lines at the lifts, I’ve been able to fine tune my boarding skills and each time I get a little better.  Last season I had a few discouraging moments, mostly driven by fear.  Some nasty falls made me wonder why I ever took up the sport.  But I tarried on and I was now ready to advance.  I put my fears in my back pocket with my SPF lip balm and took on the jumps! (the beginner ones of course).  It was so much fun.  I landed maybe half of them, but got some good air and found a new side of snowboarding that I can’t wait to exercise this winter season!

Yesterday, I overcame a hurdle that was daunting me.  I often felt frustrated on the mountain, watching The All-Star take courageous leaps off snow banks while I sat in the snow nearby taking pictures.  This time I was the one with the guts and he stood by with the camera.  It felt good.  Real good.  I challenged myself and overcame the doubt that I could actually do it.  Sure I fell a few times, but it didn’t hurt too much, and I got right back up and tried the next jump.  I’m proud of myself and I’m ready to take on more challenges next time.

Today I’m sore, so is the All-Star.  The first time out is always the hardest to recover from.  Some of those muscles are just not used to getting worked in that way.  But I can’t complain.  I got a great workout, learned a new skill, and gained confidence in myself that I can succeed if I just give it a try.  Not something we’ve never heard before, right?  But it’s always nice to experience it firsthand.  Being in the business of helping others, I’ve always got a good cliche up my sleeve.  Having a story behind the lesson is helpful, especially for the one telling it.

What life lessons are you living out today??