Intro

I apologize for being a bit late on this one but I assume you’ll forgive me when you hear that I chose swimming in lakes, long walks, and watching the sun fade into the ocean instead of sitting inside writing this post. But now we are home from vacation and I am so happy to be back in this space. I miss it when I’m gone.

It’s Friday, which in most cases means I post some recent images I’ve taken on film.

Here are a few other Film Fridays to peruse at your leisure.

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All images were shot using Kodak Portra 400 using a Canon A1 50mm 1.4.

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It’s been awhile since a “Dating My Husband” post has appeared on the blog and the reason for this is simple, we hadn’t been doing a good job of dating. I didn’t say it was a good reason, just a simple one.

The effects of this quickly became evident in our marriage. Without time spent reconnecting I began to see my husband, my partner in this crazy life, as a roommate. Someone I share our space with but that’s about it. Our conversations cover matters of all things practical and that’s where they end. The tasks get completed, the children are cared for and loved, the businesses tended to, and after that we’re tired.

Long days of caring for three kidlets who require more of me than I ever thought possible, cause me to want to curl up and jump into my own world after they get tucked into bed. In this world the only person I have to think about is myself. I settle in there, content and eager to have nothing and no one who needs me because really, I feel I have nothing more to give.

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But there is someone else and although he doesn’t whine as loudly as the three other members of this family he does need me and I need him. Even when I feel as if I have nothing to give him I must, because my marriage is my most important relationship on this earth and it requires time and energy in-spite of the fact that in this season, there is very little of that.

So we arranged for someone other than ourselves to tuck the kidlets into bed and we went out, on a date.

With cameras in hand we played tourist in our own city scavenging the market after hours looking for the right shot. When we weren’t shooting we walked side by side and enjoyed the golden glow of the summer evening. Sharing our passion for photography we compared camera settings and talked composition, falling deeper in love, in a nerdy sort of a way.

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by Gabe

We laughed as we wandered the streets trying desperately to find the perfect restaurant for the evening after we found out our favorite was closed for the night. I can get a little too philosophical about restaurant selections and can put far too much pressure on the night by fearing the wrong choice.

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Gabe stepped up and made the final decision, Seatown Snackbar. For that night, it was perfect. We cozied up to the corner table with a view of both bustling action and the setting sun. The food was comforting, satisfying and familiar. Fitting for the night as we set out to reconnect and find that comfort in one another that we had inadvertently lost.

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In no time at all we had found each other again. Not the person I argue with over whose turn it is to change the latest dirty diaper but my husband, my partner and my best friend. I found the man that I used to stay up with until the sun started a new day. The one I would watch drift in and out of sleep as he desperately tried to stay awake so we could enjoy another moment together. I would giggle over the soft rumble of his snores, finding it endearing when the thought of waking up to him and his rumbles every morning was just a dream.

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28 Responses to “Film Friday: Night out”

  1. Brenda

    Lovely post Ashely! Sometimes I too feel that way about my marriage and we have no kids, how awful is that? Gabe took a great pic of you. I took my mom to Seatown once and we had a great experience.

  2. la domestique

    I’m glad you waited to write this post, and I’m sure that’s why it’s such a good one. Love how the pictures compliment your words in telling the story.

  3. Alison

    I love your words! So true and well put about marriage with kids. Dates are so important. Love your pics and reading about your romance 😉

  4. Joy

    This was such a sweet, heart-warming post! The photos are proof that things are better in film. Just wonderful 🙂

  5. Snippets of Thyme

    I love seeing shots of Seattle because this is where my daughter wants to go to college. I am desperately trying to get used to the idea of her going so far away but Texas isn’t our home so I want to to choose freely. Date nights are important and so hard to actually follow through. We are in a stage right now (Teens!!) where we have so much more free time and I ever thought possible. It will get easier from the wee years…promise!

  6. merry jennifer

    We used to make a point of going on regular date nights, but then life got crazy (or crazier), and we’re no longer in the habit of doing it. It’s so important to the relationship, though. I could completely relate to everything you said in your post. It’s so easy to just look on our husbands as the one who forgot to take the trash or who didn’t put the lid down on the toilet seat or who let the kids eat too many jelly beans. I love getting to reconnect with the man I fell in love with, pre-children.

    Your photos are gorgeous, as always.

  7. dee

    I love the way you wrote about this! It was soo comforting and very well put together! I’m glad you and your husband had this special time together!!

  8. Venessa

    This post is so my life right now. I didn’t even realize it until I was reading your words. Thanks for sharing this, I’m going to find a sitter right now!

  9. kris {life at the table}

    love this! love your film series, and i always love your thoughts on marriage. even without being surrounded by kids yet, i always cherish the moments where me and the hubs stop talking about jobs and schedules and just daydream and play together.

  10. Paige

    What a beautiful post. You are not afriad of real topics and write in such a simple but couldn’t-better-explain kind of way. The photography never disappoints, always giving an air of romance. Enjoy all of your accomplishments.

  11. Dana

    Such a pretty girl! I applaud you guys. I think it is SO HARD to make the love/husband and wife thing happen when you have young kids, busy careers, etc. You are an inspiration!

  12. Amy

    Another beautiful film Friday. Thank you for sharing these intimate moments and gorgeous pictures 🙂

  13. Lorna

    Hi Ashley,

    Another beautiful post laying bare the simple truths but modern complexities of life….. Your photos too are wonderful, and make me want to jump on a plane and visit Seattle….. one day I hope…… Love XXX

  14. Michelle

    Well said. Completely. You are really a wonderful woman and lead a very inspiring life. Thanks for sharing, I know I can relate as well as so many others.

  15. MG Atwood

    Love the shot Gabe took of you in the street. 🙂 Pretty mama! Here’s to many more date nights…wedding season doesn’t last too much longer. Stay strong.

  16. MG Atwood

    Love the shot Gabe took of you in the street. Pretty mama! Here’s to many more date nights…wedding season doesn’t last too much longer. Stay strong.

  17. erin @ from city to farm

    Beautiful pictures, and an even more beautiful story! My husband and I have our own business (which I suppose in a way is our kid), so we’re together 24/7, but often we get lazy and let work and routine take over. Thanks for the reminder to find a little fun, amidst all the other “stuff”.

    • Ashley Rodriguez

      @Erin, you are singing our song. It’s so hard to remember to take the time to really connect especially when you feel as if you spend so much time with this person. Happy to give you reminder. Feel free to remind me too. 🙂

  18. a la Alison

    Inspirational post in a lot of ways. Thank you. You’re posts satisfy more than just my appetite, and i truly LEARN something new each time I visit.

  19. Lucia

    I’m now dreaming about getting married with the man of my life. I know that it will be difficult, not only a dream. But I do believe in him, in me, in us. And reading something like this makes me breathe and sigh with relief. Good job Ashley, Good job Gabe.

  20. Crystal Malek

    Lol, oh Ashley, I always end up reading your posts at just the right time. We’ve been going through a bit of that roommate business, too. It happens! But it doesn’t have to stay that way, you’re so right, takes effort and work. We’ve got an actual date planned out today, not sure where we’re headed. I already started the morning mildly irritated w/the man, so as he’s still sleeping while I’m wide awake, I contemplated canceling the date….then read this post. Reminded me how very much we need this. Now, if I can just make sure we don’t only talk about the babies or bills, etc.!

  21. Allie Peach

    We were just at the Pike Place market… we were in Seattle on vacation from Poseyville, IN. We fell IN LOVE… I only wish we had a place to cook while we were there, because there were so many beautiful produce stands!

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