As I shared in my post last week, Amanda and I were able to go to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls this past weekend. Just the two of us. Its been since 2001, on our honeymoon, that we have been able to go to the Falls alone. We have taken four other trips to the Falls since 2001, but always with the kids.
It was odd with it only being the two of us. Going out for an evening alone is a rarity - let alone three days and two nights. We didn't schedule any activities for those days, but the one place that Amanda had her heart set on finding was an Italian Eatery that we went to on our honeymoon. We both absolutely loved their food and wanted to enjoy it again. For those that don't know, Amanda's maiden name was "Campitelli" so Italian food is something that she grew up enjoying. (I didn't know what Manicotti was until I met her family)
We couldn't remember the name of the place, but when we were driving around looking for a familiar sign or storefront, Amanda spotted Mama Mia's. After parking the car, we went inside to double-check that this was the place. The inside looked different then when we were there 13 years ago, but after Amanda asked some questions about what it "used" to look like we knew we had found the right place. It wasn't until the next day that our final lunch at the Falls was at Mamma Mia's.
The food was just as memorable as it was during our honeymoon. Thirteen years ago I had Alfredo, but on this trip I had Eggplant Parmesan. It was wonderful! Amanda had the classic dish of Spaghetti and Meatballs and incredible Italian bread, with oil on the side, was available for our dining pleasure as well. A wonderful meal with my wonderful wife of 13 years. (Our anniversary is in June just FYI)
As many of you know, I have been working on a book for the last two years and am really trusting that it will be published later this year. Within the book I have a chapter entitled "Loved with Scars" and I address my concerns about finding a wife who will love me for who I am. A wife that isn't going to care if I have the scars of surgery or if more surgeries were to follow in ours lives.
Amanda not only accepted the scars I had prior to our marriage, but she's been beside me for three other heart procedures and one brain surgery! She's never left my side through some very tumultuous seasons of life. She loves me regardless of the over five feet of scars on my chest and back and over a dozen other scars where tubes and wires have been removed due to surgeries.
She loves me for who I am. My concerns as a teenager and early 20 something of wondering if someone could be "Loved with Scars" has been answered with a resounding yes. You and I (and Amanda) are each unique and special. We all have our different quirks and limits. It is true that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. My cover looks pretty worn and I know that my shirtless chest will never be on the cover of GQ magazine, but I am so glad that Amanda looked beyond that and saw who I truly was deep down inside regardless of my Custom Scars. Spending that time in Mama Mia's on Saturday was another reminder that for over 13 years I have been UNCONDITIONALLY "Loved with Scars."
It was odd with it only being the two of us. Going out for an evening alone is a rarity - let alone three days and two nights. We didn't schedule any activities for those days, but the one place that Amanda had her heart set on finding was an Italian Eatery that we went to on our honeymoon. We both absolutely loved their food and wanted to enjoy it again. For those that don't know, Amanda's maiden name was "Campitelli" so Italian food is something that she grew up enjoying. (I didn't know what Manicotti was until I met her family)
We couldn't remember the name of the place, but when we were driving around looking for a familiar sign or storefront, Amanda spotted Mama Mia's. After parking the car, we went inside to double-check that this was the place. The inside looked different then when we were there 13 years ago, but after Amanda asked some questions about what it "used" to look like we knew we had found the right place. It wasn't until the next day that our final lunch at the Falls was at Mamma Mia's.
The food was just as memorable as it was during our honeymoon. Thirteen years ago I had Alfredo, but on this trip I had Eggplant Parmesan. It was wonderful! Amanda had the classic dish of Spaghetti and Meatballs and incredible Italian bread, with oil on the side, was available for our dining pleasure as well. A wonderful meal with my wonderful wife of 13 years. (Our anniversary is in June just FYI)
As many of you know, I have been working on a book for the last two years and am really trusting that it will be published later this year. Within the book I have a chapter entitled "Loved with Scars" and I address my concerns about finding a wife who will love me for who I am. A wife that isn't going to care if I have the scars of surgery or if more surgeries were to follow in ours lives.
Amanda not only accepted the scars I had prior to our marriage, but she's been beside me for three other heart procedures and one brain surgery! She's never left my side through some very tumultuous seasons of life. She loves me regardless of the over five feet of scars on my chest and back and over a dozen other scars where tubes and wires have been removed due to surgeries.
She loves me for who I am. My concerns as a teenager and early 20 something of wondering if someone could be "Loved with Scars" has been answered with a resounding yes. You and I (and Amanda) are each unique and special. We all have our different quirks and limits. It is true that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. My cover looks pretty worn and I know that my shirtless chest will never be on the cover of GQ magazine, but I am so glad that Amanda looked beyond that and saw who I truly was deep down inside regardless of my Custom Scars. Spending that time in Mama Mia's on Saturday was another reminder that for over 13 years I have been UNCONDITIONALLY "Loved with Scars."