I didn’t believe it until I heard it from my wife’s lips – our romantic anniversary is more important than our wedding anniversary. My good friend Chris Dolson first told me this to be true. I didn’t really comprehend the statement until Katie affirmed it. So here I am, celebrating our romantic anniversary. TMI? I don’t think so – I hate that kind of thing. I’m here to tell you about something we all do, something we all think about, and something some of us should probably think about more – kissing.

According to my last entry, Katie and I met at the Memorial Union Terrace on a Thursday afternoon two years ago. I asked her to hang out a couple days later, at a Brewers Game. It was there that I asked her on an official date. We went to breakfast at Lazy Jane’s. No kiss. Then I asked her out for a second date later that day – La Hacienda on Park Street. No kiss. We walked down to the terrace and out for coffee at Starbucks. Now it gets interesting. There was a severe tornado warning, so Starbucks was making everyone get into the basement. I knew this meant one thing – no kiss. So I got us out of there and we went back to her place. Amanda was there and was facinated with the storm. I was facinated with the anticipation of the start of this romantic anniversary… No kiss. And that ended our date.

Should I just get to it? We were down at Summerfest the next night for the fireworks, and I was thinking of the perfect thing to say, it wasn’t perfect, but No kiss No more. Come on! Smile, you’ve been there…! It’s not TMI, it’s romantic. And it’s memorable, and that’s a romantic anniversary!

As I learn about marriage, I’m realizing the importance of such things. Sure, they mean a lot to Katie but they also mean a lot to me. Memories are so precious. They’re unique. They stir an emotion that’s personal and powerful. Certain memories can never be replicated, but they can never be lost. They’re yours forever. Words to live by – Remember.

Yesterday Katie and I went to the Memorial Union Terrace. Hundreds of other people were there with us, and thousands will do the same this summer. But our trip to the Terrace had memories rolling through our heads. Two years ago, I was talking to my friend Amanda about coming to see her cousin, Katie, at the Terrace on a warm Thursday afternoon. Her sisters Becky and Kelly were there, as was our friend Jodie. I walked down the steps and met Katie for the first time. We ended up sitting on the upper deck and playing cards under that tree which sits in the middle of the seating area. I got a pitcher of beer for us and we had our first conversation. I don’t remember what we talked about, what she wore, or even what was going through my mind. What I do remember is an excitement about meeting this new girl, a girl who kept me at the edge of my seat and who I just wanted to spend more time with. I wanted to drive her home, but she insisted on walking home with Amanda and Jodie. But that was the start. What happened in the next week will be the subject of my next entry. How’s that for an unapologetic cliffhanger?

As I said in my last post, Katie gave me the best gift ever… a three day trip to Door County. The details are what made the trip such a great gift. When I travel, I need to have maps and research about where we’re going. I love maps. I have to know what coffee shops are in the area and where we can stop along the way to make the trip as memorable as possible. So Katie put together a 13-page itinerary (seen here) for a trip that included 2 days where I thought we’d be working – she took off work with my boss!

We left Sunday afternoon and got into Sturgeon Bay where we had reservations at our bed and breakfast. Here’s a pic.
The coolest thing was our room was called the Library Suite. As you can see, the room was located behind a bookshelf – I think I’ll have to include such a feature when I build our house in the years to come.

Monday we went to the Simon Creek Winery and sat outside for a bottle and a snack, while listening to a guitar player. That night we had dinner at the Inn at Kristopher’s – if you can get reseravations for about 7:30, you’ll catch a beautiful sunset.

Tuesday we were supposed to go to Penninsula State Park to ride bikes, picnic, and lay in the sun. But the sun was interupted by clouds and thunder showers. It rained hard all day – huge bummer. So we’ll have to come back up to do this part of Door County. So we made our adjustments and found an unexpected thrill-of-a-time — antiques! Katie bought an iron wallhanging and I got an old catcher’s mask. I plan to have a baseball theme for the summer on our mantle.

We had relaxing breakfasts, romantic dinners, good coffee, good conversation, and new wonderful memories from our trip to Door County. Plan a trip there soon and call us for some places we found and loved.

Well on a hot May day, Katie and I (along with 2,600 other runners) finished our second half marathon. We started at 7:48 am and finished 13.1 miles later. It wasn’t a great run for us; our training could have been better and our race-day prep wasn’t up to par. But we’re learning, and that is how life goes. My high school football coach always told us that life is a series of adjustments. Although our run was very stressful, we finished together and have already talked about what we need to do better for our next run (and there WILL be a next run – Chicago Marathon in October).

We didn’t have any post-race pictures, but here’s a couple shots before the run. We found our friend Kathy at the starting line, again – just like Crazy Legs. It was so awesome to see her and her husband John out there with us. Kathy – you rock!

In other news, I celebrated the start of my 29th year on earth Sunday afternoon. Katie put together a wonderful party with my family and hers, along with our cousins Matt and Amanda. And the day before, Katie gave me the best gift ever – an itinerary for our 3-day trip to Door County. I love traveling with maps, brochures, and reservations ready for my arrival – and Katie put it all together. That entry is coming up next… But for now, Katie and I have 2 half marathons under our belt. The training is about to jump a notch or two, so it will surely be a busy, hot summer of training. But we’re excited for the challenge.

As most of you know, Katie and I are training for our second half marathon, which takes place in Madison next Sunday, May 28. Today was our last “long run” in our training, 10 miles. The run took us through the beautiful UW Arboretum and down Monroe Street.

After the run, I put together a picnic basket for a lunch at McKee Park. We have to thank our cousins Chris and Erika for the wonderful basket. The picnic is part of a list of activities Katie and I have put together – our Summer of One – our first summer as husband and wife. You can expect to see constant updates of this Summer of One later here at the Game Plan.

So this week will be busy with work, really healthy eating, and hopefully lots of sleep. We’re really excited for this Half Marathon. Please check back in 7 days for pictures and a brief on our run.

first timeWith the end of April comes the annual Crazy Legs Classic. Katie and I ran this last year for the together. This year we finished the 8K run in 46 minutes. Actually, I finished one second ahead of Katie, so I made up for last year’s one second loss. We were joined this year by the wonderful Kathy Sauer (pictured in the white vest) and our cousins, Matt and Amanda Cranney.

I have to put the write-up of Death By Meeting on hold until I get back from vacation. We’re with Katie’s family in Destin, Florida. We drove down April 13 and are heading back.

Katie and Grant in the van.

Steve and Katie at a gas station.

Katie and I before we got any sun (more pictures to come).

Here’s a typical day: a small breakfast, out to the beach mid-morning ’til 4 o’clock, a great dinner, and some activity in the evening. We are having a wonderful time. I’ll get more pictures as they become available.

Hello…? Hello…? Seems quiet in here. I guess that’s to be expected when no one has been here for over 40 days. Nonetheless, yours truely is back in the saddle. Since I last posted, I’ve been very busy. I have been reading books like Death by Meeting, Good to Great, and 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership. I’ve been in meetings with our college ministry leadership concerning the next season in our journey. And Katie and I have been traveling, watching great movies (you must see Walk the Line), and growing closer together in ways I never could have imagined. I am so fortunate to have her in my life.

So here’s the plan: I’m going to do a few posts in the near future here. I’m going to write about the books I’m reading and see where that goes. Do you read? You know, a man who doesn’t read has no advantage over a man who can’t read. Well I’m reading a lot lately, and I’m going to share some of it here at the Game Plan. Up first – Death by Meeting. See you soon.

One of my favorite books is Wild at Heart, by John Eldridge. He talks about how most men long for a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to rescue. Let men be men, don’t raise them to be tame and nice – that man many need to protect and defend you someday. The book is a testosterone pumping experience; idealistic at times, but he gets the point across. And today I am reminded of the joy in adventure.

Yesterday Madison got some 8 inches of snow, whiteout conditions. We couldn’t work yesterday and today our truck never would’ve made it up the hill where we were taking out 3 trees. So I had another work day planned at the coffee shop. This morning I told Katie I was going to walk to Barriques. Why? Because I can. Temperature: 8 degrees, but the wind says -3. Why? Because I have the gear, I always drive, and I miss the walk to class.

So I pulled out my Mountainsmith backpack, loaded my computer, books, and some apples, clipped on my coffee mug and Nalgene (essential for every trip), put the Rio in my ears and walked out the door. I walked a plowed path for most of the way, crossing a half dozen snow piles enroute, and almost fell twice on the slick surface. But 33 minutes later I was there.

Was I traversing through a valley, climbing small mountains or fighting for survival? No. But it was cold, the snow was deep, I didn’t know if the sidewalk would end and I’d be blazing my own trail. I can’t make it sound more glorious than it was, but that’s not my intention. My point is that I got a glimpse of the joy in an adventure. And that feeling makes me want more.

An adventure to live. It’s enough to get me out of bed every morning and see where the Lord is taking me today.

So when we were in pre-marital counceling, I was told that I’d be going to the School of Katie. Well let the learning begin. I’ve gained the knowledge of how important Valentine’s Day is to my wife. I was actually a little shocked at how grand this day is in her mind. But then, when I start thinking about the things I can do for her, I start to get excited. Because I love taking care of my wife. I love buying her things. I love hearing her scream in excitement when she’s surprised by something I’ve done for her. I love making my wife happy.

I might have raised the bar a little high this year, the first Valentine’s Day of our marriage. But hey, she’s worth it. I did the flowers, we’re doing the dinner, we’re doing the quality conversation time over coffee, and I did the diamonds. The Diamonds?!? Yeah, I raised the bar at this school, but I’m hot for teacher.