Perhaps, “Top 5” would be a more appropriate title. I do wonder who understands the Luniz reference of “5 on It”. I’m not certain Jason would get it. Jason does get “Top 5”. He LOVES to ask everyone their “top 5” of anything… trips, cities you’ve been, places you want to go, burgers joints in San Diego. He always asks “What are your top 5______"?”
I realized this year, more than ever before, we’re aging. It’s common knowledge we all are, but do we really seize the day? Maybe it’s because I turned 40 in year 5, am often sore, tired, or just care a lot less about things I use to care about, and seem to have have lot less free time adding Maverick to the mix, so aim to be even more intentional with each day. What else - I switched to a Mac laptop, Jase got an overdue annual physical, I had skin laser on my face to stop the spread of pre cancer cells (where sunscreen), real exciting life things I know, but the issues facing our society make us so sad at times, so we are just riding the roller coaster, trying to raise a kind, but confident man, in a year where the days seem a bit similar, but we actually do quit a bit and five years went really fast.
Each year I interview Jason on our anniversary and I also answer the questions without thinking about them until we chat. It serves as a little diary for us, maybe it will inspire conversations in your relationships too. I think he enjoys doing it as well as he kept asking me the days prior to 9/2, “are we going to do our interview?”
This year, we took a trip to Hawaii, to North Kauai (our first time), and a couple more days on the Big island) to have time away just the three of us, and celebrate 5 years. This year’s interview was over coffee on our last morning Hawaii.
Year five annual anniversary setting. Mav is running all over that grass chasing birds so periodically we check.
It’s sort of rapid fire style and there are no wrong answers. We often refer to Maverick (28 months) as “Mav”. so here we go…
Finish the phrase "I believe...."
J: in family trips just the three of us (and Palmer).
S: in second chances (or we wouldn’t be here)
Hawii Check.
Favorite memory as a family this year?
J: Hawaii trip (he’s very in the moment)
S: beach evenings after work mid-week, you surf and Mav and I play in the whitewater.
One of many beach days and nights during our 5th year of marriage. Mav has gotten very comfortable at the beach.
Best memory from our wedding?
J: Our (justin Timberlake - I’m a big fan) 1st dance dance
S: You in a tux! The guests who came to celebrate. The people really made it so special.
9.2.17 - hottest day in September ever, until this week 2022. yikes it’s hot at home in San Diego.
Biggest laugh of year 5/funniest moment?
J: that's a tricky one... (he hasn’t answered yet)
S: You and Mav playing “seek” (AKA Hide and go seek) at night and he covers his eyes and counts (and peeks).
Year 5 we read this book a lot, watched the actual trash man a lot, and when ill, watche the show “Trash Truck” (a lot)
Fridays. If the trash man had $1 for every morning we waved, he’d about 2 years worth.
Hardest moment this year:
J: When Mav got a high fever and we rushed ER (scary more than hard)
S: Maverick's seizure/ Jim / Jase’s dad’s quadruple bypass heart surgery
Quick trip to ER with no preperation or toys so we watched videos and memories while fever dropped.
Thing you are most proud of your spouse did (or is) in year 5?
S: You are such a good Mama, how you talk to Mav, selflessness, it takes such discipline and patience
J: Your love with Mav, golf success just for yourself and making time in the evening for family every day
Anything you'd personally like to work on in year 6?
J: Breaking 70. I’m kidding he did not say that but he did break 70 (golfing). He did say: “my listening” as I get frustrated repeating things
S: sweating the small stuff/ more patience, not swearing (that’s sort of new) yikes! I feel more short fused since being a mama and am really working on it.
Top 2 phrases your s/o says?
J: Sher says: "lets go Mav/ Jase”
*apparently I’m the “we gotta go now” one.
I thought he’d say that I say “can you turn it down please (referring to tv volume - I don’t love it loud). He’s watching the new Top Gun movies (loudly) again, as I type. We only have the one tv - I do love that.
S: Jase says: "I'm going to go hit some balls" (meaning golf balls)
Jase also says: "My guy!!!" - to Maverick, a lot
Spouses’ bet quality as a parent:
J: (about Sheri) discipline with thought, well not discipling Mav but you research and read approaches to talk to Mav in a way to guide Maverick along to build his confidence.
S: (about Jase) love the uninterrupted focused play time you have with Mav, at home, park, beach. I admire you are present and really enjoy being just “Dada”.
Saddest moment?
J: Scott (Jase lost his sweet cousin this Summer and just reminds us every day is a gift).
S: that some of relatives are really aging and it’s something we’ll face as a couple, losing Grandparents, parents, family, and friends and really puts things in perspective.
Best purchase /investment as couple:
J: land, working on our next move as a family
S: help with Mav. Elle is the best.
And a bigger, safer, used car
And annual family photos. shoot that is three. Thank you Emma Gibbs photography.
Actually none of those, the best investment we enjoy doing…
quarterly random acts of kindness we do with a bit of laundry machine coin funds, that’s it, not a purchase but what we an give away and I bet it’s the best investment we ever make, helping others when we can.
If you had one redo:
J: not to take on a work deal that isn't a good thing to sell, tough buyer
S: tough question becauese if I want a redo I tend to block it out and not want talk about it. Work in general I suppose. And giving Maverick Motrin sooner would have avoided a spike in temperature, but he’s ok and I learned.
OMG. no I know, the kayak excursion I was hell bent on doing a couple of days ago with a TWO year old in an hour long both ways shared kayak. We’ll wait a few years to re try it, but we’ll sure laugh recalling this attempt.
Goal(s) as a couple for year 6?
J: another trip just the three of us somewhere new or back to Hawaii, more dates, even yoga night or something
S: to partner with as much love and patience as as we parent - treating you like we are newly dating
Kiss more - we’ll start with family photos
Oops I meant Kiss (parents) but Mav works too.
What are you looking forward to? I think it’s important to have things to look forward to.
J: Maverick’s growing and learning this year
S: Halloween family dress up. Our country concert together this coming weekend. Carmel By The Sea anytime and time with your parents there.
Never been That into halloween until I had a Little Family. I Can’t Wait. Can we just do top gun a third time? #maverick
and that’s it for. year 5!
Jase - did you open my card? (We only exchange cards on our anniversary)
Much like my interview answers I gave him two cards, one funny (includes glitter) one sincere. I made the interview and cads rules so I also break them.
We read our cards over coffee on our last morning on the big island as Maverick ran on the grass in front of our room, chasing birds. It’s a very sweet memory.
Love you Jase, you’re my top 5.