How did you spend your extra day on February 29?
I love that Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras chose the date to parade down Oxford Street.
I skipped the crowds to watch tellie with the youngest, who was completely unimpressed by my tales of being a Dyke On A Bike at Mardi Gras many moons ago.
I also told the youngest about the tradition on February 29 that women propose to their partners.
According to Google, way back in the 5th Century an Irish nun called St Bridget complained to St Patrick that women had to wait too long for their suitors to propose. So St Patrick offered women the opportunity to pop the question themselves once every four years.
The youngest immediately suggested that I propose to DD.
I pointed out that I was still married to her father. (I really need to do something about that AGAIN.)
But I think her enthusiasm for the idea of me marrying DD is a sign that my ex and I have done the whole separation/new partner thing right. The youngest is totally zen about her mum and dad dating new people. She is comfortable and secure and happy, which is wonderful.
DD dropped in briefly on his way home from the airport and I teased him about the youngest telling me to propose. But he didn’t take the bait, just mildly noted that it was a bit outdated to think there’s only one date that it’s OK for a woman to propose.
True that.
Later that night, the youngest and I were trawling through her father’s Netflix account for something to watch and I spotted “The Wedding Singer”. It only occurred to me about halfway through that it was a good choice for leap year viewing.
Not that Drew Barrymore proposes to Adam Sandler, just that it has a marriage theme.
It’s been years since I’ve watched The Wedding Singer and I loved it all over again. The ’80s soundtrack is awesome. And I really liked the sweet characters Drew and Adam play.
Coincidentally, a Bible verse that’s popular at weddings started running through my head a few days ago. I didn’t initially recognise that it was biblical, I had to look it up for the penny to drop. I just thought the “love is patient, love is kind” bit was really lovely.
Corinthians 13:4-7: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
It sums up the love DD has given me – patient, kind, not easily angered, no record of wrongs … and all the other good stuff.
I didn’t ask him to marry me on Saturday, but putting a ring on it doesn’t feel so important.
Loving each other with kindness, trust and hope matters much more.
PS We spent Sunday evening in our favourite fashion – a beach swim followed by a Sunday roast at the Four Pines. I’ve written a Thirsty Travellers blog post about the Four Pines and the freaky coincidence that occurred when I started Googling photos of the venue.
Song of the day: Spandau Ballet “True”
housegoeshome 
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