Tossed In With The Trash

During college, I attended the National FFA Convention, well, not really the convention, but some of the activities surrounding the convention for three years straight. The first year, I was without my beloved- whom at the time I was barely dating. . . But, you shouldn’t have seen my advisor’s face with my innocent freshman self walked out of the hotel room with another man. . . I quickly had to dodge the strange looks and explain that, in fact, it was my cousin twice removed (seriously. . . I had just met him the summer before.) Thankfully, I was able to attend the next two years with my dear sweet beloved.

One of the things that was special for me is that the National FFA Convention, at the time, was held in the city where I was born. A place I visited on several occassions. In fact, growing up, we went to Kansas City at least once every three years until I was in the sixth grade. I’ve always had a special place in my heart for KC, MO.

As in the year prior and the year after, I was able to take my fellow students- and this time, my then boyfriend, to one of the great restaurants in Kansas City. A refined place, as it was, was always fun to take these folks. I’d eaten there many, many times before. Stephenson’s was a place that both of sides of my family had been coming to for years. Birthdays, Anniversaries, and other special events were celebrated there. My dad took my mom there the night he proposed to her- and ordered her meal all wrong for her. Stephenson’s recipes have graced our dining table for years and are now a large part of our Christmas meal.

So, this second year, my then boyfriend (now DH) and I ate at Stephenson’s. Mind you, my husband grew up getting his food from the kitchen counter, sometimes eating at a dining room table, but most often eating standing up or in front of the TV. But, he did his best with dinner table etiquette. As always, he ordered for me. When the waitress asked what type of salad I wanted, DH became flustered and couldn’t get what was in his mind to come out. He knew what I wanted, that wasn’t the problem. So, when it finally came out, he simply said, “Tossed” and gave a hand motion to help make his words make since.

I wish I had recorded that moment. It’s one of those moments that I look back on and smile. That endearing moment reminds me why I love my husband.

On one of our many trips to Lowe’s to wander and kill our lunch hour (which is usually 2-3 times each week), we came across a bathroom accessory set that was perfect. The soap dispenser said “Wash”, the water glass said “rinse” and the trash can. . . . you guessed it, read,

“Toss”

It instantly brought back memories of Stephenson’s and taking my DH to Kansas City. Tuesday, we found the set on clearance. I finally felt that I could afford to splurge on the decorative trash can which was now only $5. With out small bathroom, I won’t be able to miss the trash can which is at my feet each morning. And each morning, I’ll stop to think about that sweet moment all those years ago at Stephenson’s.

So, now, I’ll be thinking of DH everytime I see the bathroom trash.

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