Amazing

Well.

Today I arrived home (from a very long day) to a lovely bouquet of blue and yellow flowers on our kitchen table.

How nice is that?

I am always greeted by three little boys in need of (very welcomed) hugs and kisses, so I was quickly distracted, and did not realize there was a note with my name on it under the vase of flowers.

After a few minutes, Papa brought the note to my attention.

I was perplexed at first.  Had I forgotten some sort of special occasion?

Then I opened the note, which was actually several pieces of paper stapled together.

The first page had the Boston Athletic Association logo at the top.  Hmm.

I started to read it.  It was an email from them, informing him that they had received his application to run the Boston Marathon in April 2014.  "...due to the large number of submissions received, not all who submitted a request..."

ok..

but...

HIS was ACCEPTED!!


This means he will be running with me in Boston!  I am so thrilled that he secretly applied for a spot.  I am so touched that he wrote (with a very strict word-limit) to the BAA, to share his story, and how meaningful he thought it would be, for him to run along with me.

I have been feeling anxiety over race morning (specifically the part where I leave Papa to head to Hopkinton on the bus).  Last year, in those moments of chaos as I was running through crowds trying to find him were the scariest of my life.

Now, he will be right there beside me.

yahoooooooooo!

Here is the part of the passage he wrote:

...We are the parents of 3 young boys and our trips to Boston have been retreats to revel in our shared love of running.  Our training is often juggled separately but I once secretly entered a race to run alongside her. It was fantastic and it is why I am writing this piece.

Over by the Newton hills I have scanned flocks of runners looking for Amy and managed to be at the right spot to pass on a quick kiss as she prepared to ascend Heartbreak Hill.

For agonizing minutes last year, standing out front of The Lennox Hotel, fear resonated in my head that I may not be reunited with Amy. We found one another in the chaos and were evacuated to a neighboring hotel. There, we went on to console a great lady who had been waiting for her husband to finish his 25th Boston.

Of course, now he must get training!  He will have to keep up with me along the route ;)