I’ve got a face that is well suited for winter because I cover it with a full facemask and hood to keep warm. But my wife, on the other hand, is distractingly beautiful and the only reason I’d want to cover her countenance is to add a sense of mystique.
She caught my eye unexpectedly again the other day. The weather was cold but uncharacteristically sunny for November in the Seattle area. We decided to make the most of it heading out on a bike ride. She’d heard of a trail at a lake a few miles from our house we went to find it.
We circled the lake and picked up the trail just a short jaunt down the road. We coursed our way through dense foliage made lush by a creek that traveled the eastern ridge of an expansive valley. We glided between dark evergreens and ferns, and thrilled watching the sun set fire to foliage from sugar maples and cherry trees whose leaves fell from the trees and blanketed the ground. It is one thing to be enjoy the beauty of your surroundings, but another thing entirely to enjoy it surrounded by someone you love.
After several miles on the trail we doubled back, stopping at the lake to chat with a kayaker and watch kids play in the park. It was in that pause that my wife caught my eye as alluringly as the first time I met her.
The chilly air and the exertion of the ride brought a blush to her cheeks, which in turn made her long and dark eyelashes more striking than usual, which brought me to the best part, her eyes. The contrast in colors, her pink cheeks and raven lashes were just accents to her emerald eyes. She was happy, awash in her surroundings, inexplicably pleased to be with me of all people, and her eyes sparkled as she smiled.
My only regret was that my little phone camera couldn’t truly capture the look in totality. It seems unlikely I will ever forget how striking she was in that moment, but I don’t trust myself. Sometimes I can’t remember why I walked into the next room. So I guess I’ll just have to rely on this little image to help me recall one of the most beautiful days of fall.
Karen IS a gorgeous woman and you caught her in some beautiful light.
Amen to that. At least to the part about how gorgeous she is. I wish I could take pictures the way you do.
Great experience and glad to hear that you’re out on your bikes! Would love to ride with you sometime.
Come on out dude. We’re gearing up for the STP (Seattle to Portland) in July. Would love to have you come along. Its a two-day ride of about 200 miles.
that’s real nice, dad.
Thank you Katherine
It sounds like a great ride and I agree, Karen IS beautiful. Inside and out.
Great post! All of the bike riding that you guys are doing sounds fun.
That was so sweet, Ben, and your a great guy to take a moment and remember why you love your sweet heart!