This post is a little late; we’ve been in a whirlwind for, well, months.   

But after 11 years together, our love has many birthdays.  And three years ago, we promised our lives to each other.

It is a thrill, an honor and a delight turning The Pages with you, my Beloved. 

Adventure is always a yes away: Yes, my love; always yes.

This summer of evenings, after work building the magical dreamship of our childhood dreams together - The Tenacity - and now, this fall and winter, working together overseas in South Asia and South Africa.  Basing abroad is something we’ve talked about for ages - it went gorgeously, so I’m curious to learn what this coming year - this coming decade - holds. 

So many stories to share at some point… soon? … never?... including the one about our magical new inky amulets for blessings, protection, and guidance... They are Sak Yants, both, from an ajarn (Sam) in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where we stayed a long while, visiting regional schools before the three school leadership conferences we attended - the first in Bangkok - the second in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia - and finally, the third in Capetown, South Africa.

So much has happened I don't even know how to start.  

​So I'll say - 

With love from the wind,​

the Schmidts.

From our company IG page for EquipMySchool :) 

We are building something beautiful.   

But first, dirt!  Dirt, rust, and lovely hot metal.  

It's our secret for now.  

on our way in the rain to a coffee shop, listening to an old favorite that always makes us cry. 

An hour at a time softens into the beautiful, desperate closeness of our beginning  

of spring

Years ago I let go of my brother's hand; I did not know how to love him.  In the depths of his depression, of his addiction, hating himself, he did things that made it hard to stay, for us to love him. 
 
He fell, and he died.  We lost him forever.

I love my Andrew.  My beloved king.  And I am strong. 

I stay.
 
He holds me tight.  We sleep heart to heart, so close I feel the beat of his blood, the brush of his eyelashes when he opens his eyes to kiss me.   

We heal. 

It will take longer for him to heal himself, to do the work he's needed to do for decades.  A long time ago he split himself into parts, performatively, and for protection.  This is not uncommon. ​ 

I am the same in public and private; I know exactly who and what I am.  My flag is proud and high.
  
But he knows the depth of my love now, for all of who & what he truly is.  I know the depth of his love for me, for who & what I truly am.

Because I understand.  I understand completely.  I am not perfect; I've never wanted to be. 

Read these words, and between them, Half Mast.  

Go on now, and live your own life.   A real life, in the sunlight.    

You made a mistake, but people are not their mistakes.  I forgive you. 

​

Word that should exist: when the weather matches your mood.

Cold outside.  Sunny, pouring.  The bending of trees, the steady drumming against the roof. 

The hungry, waiting, open earth.  

G says, "Surely there's one in German."

Therefore.  Surely it has helped in the making of delicious sausage and beer.  

But

right now I am cranky, optimistic, full of sunlight and dirt.  Hoping it rains all day.  

and

it makes me happier to think of this word that does not exist, so I can make my own but never name it.  It is just the thing itself, the moment, which perhaps would be a better as a painting anyway - rather than a word - or something silent, shapely; a sculpture to stand in.
  
Anyway.  It's here already, regardless.  all around us.  

Hold.