Surprises

A whopper of a day yesterday.

First, The Boy and I got in a big, completely ridiculous fight. This is our first fight in months, as we have been very careful with one another's emotions recently. At first, the fight was upsetting, and then about 20 minutes into it, I found it so comical that I actually started to semi-laugh through the "fighting." Sometimes the things that set off arguments are so absurd! I had one of those moments where I said to myself, "This fight makes no sense. Just let him freak out and then see what happens." So he freaked out and packed another bag that would be part of his long, long process of moving out of this house. A bag full of paperwork and CDs mind you, so I knew he'd be coming back in the evening. I figured we could deal with everything then, when we were both a little more sane, and not screaming at each other because I suggested he use a different pair of scissors to cut his toe bandages (that was what set the whole thing off..).

Meanwhile, I was supposed to be at Rebecca's around 4 pm. The "fight" happened around 3:00, so I sent her a text message letting her know I would be a little late, and I eventually left my house at quarter to four. Walking down my street, I saw my bus pull away from the curb. Great, I thought, I'm already a little late but now I have to wait another 15 minutes for the bus. Just my luck.

But sitting there in the sun at the bus stop, I felt great. The temperature was perfect, and the sunlight on my face was warm and comfortable. I thought a lot about what had just happened with The Boy, and I was weirdly calmed by our argument and his reaction. I was a little out of sorts because of what had happened, but not at all upset. I can't explain it. Rebecca called to make sure everything was ok and I said, "Yeah, yeah... I'll explain when I get there. It was all pretty stupid."

I got there about 4.20 and knocked on the door, which opened to a chorus of "SURPRISE!" from a group of friends. I was totally shocked, I had NO idea they were planning anything for me. Plus, clearly my mood was not ready for a surprise party. But that turned around quickly -- it's amazing what a group of smiling friends can do for your spirits. I was so , so touched -- it really was a great feeling and I am so thankful to my friends for throwing the little party together. I had been saying for awhile that I wouldn't have a shower, and I gathered this was a hastily thrown together deal, but it was just my style. A few friends, some food, and a couple gifts -- nothing fancy but wonderful all the same. I loved it.

They bought me a little assortment of gifts, and one present even showed up at the shower via New York, and then there was the massive and totally appreciated mega-gift of a stroller. Kathypath picked it out, and she did an awesome job -- she chose the exact stroller I would have gotten! I am so happy -- I had said on a few different occasions that I would want to get a stroller but that I didn't want to deal with it yet, that I would just have to wait until after the birth. As I said to Kathy on the way home, "I was just going to wait to deal with the stroller until I had to. But then it took care of itself! If only everything in life were so easy!" I love that every time I use it, I will be able to think about what great friends I have. It made me a little sad that my family couldn't be there, and that some of my closest friends from the US are so far away, but it was wonderful to be surrounded by my Parisian "family" for an afternoon.

We closed up shop quickly because most of us were in a hurry to get home in time for the election results. What a wild day: the fight, the party, the results. I think everybody knew Sarkozy would win, but he just seems like such an improbable face to represent France. I mean, the man doesn't smile so much. He grimaces and we see some teeth, but I am not sure if I would qualify that as a smile. Still, esthetics aside, his presidency will mark a huge difference for France, and we'll see what kind of changes he brings about -- for better or for worse.

When I got home, The Boy wasn't around but he also got back in time for the elections. We discussed everything that had happened in the morning quickly, in the haste before the election results, and we both laughed a bit over it. Really, the whole scene could have been out of a movie, in the end, but it still has some meaning with regards to our relationship. I thought we should clear the air some, which we did and it felt good. Technically, he is still going to have to move out a lot of his stuff to make way for the baby anyway (he moved out his stereo, for example, because we have two in this house) so his little freak-out couldn't have happened at a better time. He also checked out the new stroller and approves, and then we spent the evening chilling together and watching the election coverage, before I passed out around eleven.

A real whirlwind. But good. Wonderful, even.