He runs to make his mind still, to organize himself and to get rid of the noise from this loud, confusing world. The more he's moved, the more he's introduced patterns and rhythm into his routine. Laps around the house are a daily ritual. He's made it more complex as he's developed, but the basics are the same. There is a pattern of movement -- specific foot patterns based on whatever song or chant he chooses to accompany the run, and he can not be stopped until he is ready to be.

This is James, and this is our story.


Monday, October 10, 2011

Everlasting...

Last year for our 10th anniversary, I desperately needed to get away with Tony.  I needed the chance to get back to just us, if only for a day.  A good friend generously offered us her house on a beautiful river, where we could easily drop our kids at my in-laws and spend time together alone, and I am forever grateful for what she gave us.

The weekend was amazing.  The weather was perfect, crisp and clear like our wedding day.  We spent the afternoon relaxing in the sun watching the boats go by, just talking to each other without interruption.  I brought the photo album(s) from our wedding - we had over 15 rolls of film that our friends took during the day and I put into books as soon as we were married and I adored, but after life with kids started we never got to spend any significant time looking at.

Going through those albums, alone for the first time since the kids were born and we understood what parenting meant and what autism and sensory processing disorder could do to try and break us into a million pieces, we talked about what that day actually meant to us.  

Of course it is always going to be one of the three most incredibly special days of my life, but together we talked about how that day was totally focused on the fact that we were with all our family and friends, and that this, 10 years ago, was the last time we were all together celebrating with the people who meant so much to us.

So this year for our 11th, we decided that our celebration would be to try to bring our friends and family back together to that day.  We hope this quick video will bring you some smiles.

And for our friends we weren't able to share the day with (blame Tony's large, well-connected  Italian family) and all the amazing friends we've met on our journey since then, we know how lucky we are and we can't imagine life without you all in it.

We can't begin to pay you back for the support you've given us, but we appreciate you every second of every day.

Love you always,
Kris and Tony 

p.s. Some people are having trouble watching the video below on mobile phones - here is the direct youtube link if you need it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_nknM3vfu7c





2 comments:

Heather said...

Was such an amazing, picture perfect weekend.. Love the video- brought it all right back.. Happy 11th Anniversary. Love you both. xoxo
Heath

D-Nice said...

That was wonderful! Miss you guys, thanks for putting a big fat smile on my face on this afternoon. I have such fond memories of that blue glowing lawn ball. Much love.