How I met my wife

Sorry Honey. I know you have heard this story hundreds of times but I love it and love to tell it.
In the summer between 5th and 6th grade my family went on vacation to Long Lake, Alpena MI. We would stay at a place called Bethel Village. It was a glorified lakeside campground with a dozen or so postage-stamp sized cabins. The cabins slept 2 uncomfortably but were usually packed with families ranging from one kid up to 10 kids. I loved it. There was one tennis court, one basketball hoop, shuffle board (what's the point?) tetherball (also pointless) and a sweet raft! We had canoes, a pontoon boat, two docks to fish off, a playground, firepit and more kids that I can count. It was perfect. I was out in a canoe fishing for walleye with my dad when I pointed to a girl on the beach. "Dad, see that girl in the pink bathing suit?" "Yes" he replied, "That is Dick Wrubles' daughter isn't it?" "Yes" I said, "Someday I am going to marry her." I said with total confidence and innocent faith. To which he replied, "That is great Mike, just don't tell your mother."
For years I didn't understand why he said that until it dawned on me. My mom was her 6th grade teacher that year. My mom really liked her too. If I would have let the cat out of the bag earlier to her it may have upset the harmony in the universe or at least in our little Christian school.
Mary and I dated off and on throughout high school. Never in 6th through 8th grade. I didn't exist back then. It took going to a big, all-boys, Catholic, sports "power-house of a high school to get me noticed. But, whatever, it worked. If you ask me we were more off than on in high school and if you ask her we were more on than off. I was too intense. Hmm, has anything changed?
Over a decade and 8 kids later, my dad and I were right. I did marry that girl and no I did not tell my mother. Dad was smart. I was patient and Mary finally had a weak moment and said yes.

Passion

I have spent a lot of time thinking about passion lately. I think passion gets a bad rap. It is so important to be passionate. Passion is contagious. I am passionate about a lot of things expecially faith, family and philosophy. Isn't it more fun to talk to someone about anything when they are passionate? When they care? What are you passionate about and why?
I get all excited when I get to talk about my children. I get even more excited when I talk about how my wife and I met and the direction of our relationship. It is easy to get passionate about the big things in life but what about the little things?
Passion: the emotions as distinguished from reason b : intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction c : an outbreak of anger.
So many of us live day to day as hampsters on the wheel. Why not savor the moments? Especially the ones at home. I like to sit back and watch the riot as it occurs around me in my house. This week my wife and children are out of state visiting family. I miss the activity. It is amazing watching the youngest of my children as the hustle around the house totally engrossed in whatever has caught their fancy. It is incredible how focused they can get on the simplest of tasks. Why not me? I am trying to dive into simple tasks with the same passion that they have. It is so much fun to get lost in the littlest activities.
I have an expression my friends know I use called "Zoo Mode" When I am out with my kids at the park, playground or anywhere else appropriate, I jump into "Zoo Mode" It is where I act just like them. It is so much fun and totally refreshing. I run around and play and it usually drives other parents crazy. TOUGH! Remember the point of being outside with your children is to enjoy what they want to do. Run, jump. roll around on the ground, swing on the swings, take the slide. It is awesome and your kids will remember it and love you for it. We always say, "I was a kid once too!" So here is your chance to prove it. Put the laptop away, turn off your cell phone and go for it. You may just burn some calories off while you are at it. Dads, play with your kids. They need it almost as much as you do. Play with passion, not to win. Dive into the role of being their playmate. Forget the mortgage, job and other responsibilities for a few minutes. We all know they aren't going anywhere but your kids are. They are going to grow up faster than you can imagine. Life races by if you aren't careful so embrace passion. It is awesome and will change your perception of nearly everything.