Only One First

 

Like a chocolate morsal melting on the tongue, moments are fleeting. Today I have a moment to get out while Stephen keeps an eye on my nearly 6 month old Lily at home. Right now I find myself in a coffee shop sipping a latte, nibbling on a chocolate salted caramel macaroon, pen in hand, reflecting. I feel a sense of Deja Vu sweep over me, as coffee shops have been one of my favorite past times, especially in my college years. Back then I never really pictured my life changing so drastically, so fast. My times at the coffee shop were just somewhere to pass the time between classes. Writing and reflecting in coffee shops was a big part of my life for so long. During the dating years, it was a place to work on our studies together, cozy up, and introduce the love of my life to my favorite drink. During the childless married years, my favorite drink became his favorite drink that we shared on dates out of the house, as well as each morning while exploring the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast. We enjoyed it so much that we invested in our own espresso machine, and now we enjoy our favorite drink snuggled up together practically every morning with our new little baby Lily playing near by.

Now that I have a break away from home, I realize how much my life has changed in what seems like so little time. I look back at all the experiences we have had and the people we met since getting married just 6 years ago; North Park San Diego, Dallas Texas, Del Rio Texas, now Vacaville California...trips to Panama, the Bahamas, Jose de Cabo, Southern Italy, buying our first house, joining the military, and our little miracle baby Lily.

This past Christmas and New Years was no ordinary flip of the calendar, and this trip to Journey Coffee is not just a stop to pass the time between classes, it is a morsel to be tasted, smelled, seen, heard, and remembered. Because I have no idea how long I will be with the people I'm with, experiencing what I am at any given moment. I do know that Lily experienced her very first Christmas and New Year with everyone that loves her, and for her, their will only ever be one "First". She is making me see how fast time flies, how quickly life changes, and every moment has it's subtle nuances that are unlike any other. It almost scares me how fleeting each moment is. Oh Lord, may I never complain again. May I savor each moment as if it were my very last.