10.6.17
Los Angeles, CA
Oh, hey. Fancy meeting you here.
No, seriously. It's truly a miracle you're here. I mean, I haven't shown my face in 3 years so that's why I am seriously grateful/intrigued that you happened upon us. Thanks for showing up. One day you'll have to tell me the story of how you arrived on this page. In fact, you'll have to tell both me and Evan because I know he'll get a kick out of it too. Oh, and don't forget Montgomery. She loves a good story.
Oh, Montgomery? Yeah, that's her above, sandwiched between the two of us.
Yep. That's right. Evan and I spawned since the last time we spoke with you. Without getting into too much detail I will say this: parenthood is the coolest and the hardest thing we've ever taken on. Monty is two. She. Is. A. Pistol. And hand to heart I can attest she's the best thing that's ever happened to us. I can't wait till we can tell you more about her.
But I regress. We have plenty of time to get into that. Because I came here tonight to tell you a story.
Tonight Evan and I celebrated our 9th anniversary. You know, the legal one. Last night in bed we were trying to remember what we were doing 9 years ago. Since neither of us could remember exactly how the day unfolded, I searched the Little Red Bike Cafe blog's archives for the story. So that's what led me back here. And my eyes couldn't believe the time stamp on our the last update. Nearly 3 years ago to the day?!?! I decided right then and there that now was the most logical and serendipitous time for an update.
Our daughter's middle name is Mahina
which means moon in Hawaiian. So it wasn't a surprise this morning when my husband
gifted me a beautiful pair of crescent moon earrings from one of our favorite local LA haunts. What was a surprise was his accompanying "Yelp" review of our marriage. It reads as follows:
"I've had 'the marriage' every day for the past 9 years, and it keeps getting better!
Excellent
hand rubs at the best times. Food is a major plus but keep in mind
you'll be doing the dishes (it's worth it!). Be sure to try the
parenthood special - new to the menu since 2015; use code word "Mahina"
for lots of laughs plus some manipulation. I took off a 1/2 star
because the owner wouldn't let me serve breakfast tacos. Highly
recommend the pina coladas!"
Tonight felt familiar. We've had similar anniversary dinners: a dimly lit room, a cozy
booth, deep stares and playful kisses exchanged across the table, good food and drink, and a photobooth (our favorite!). Only this time the
meal included a box of crayons, a pair of jelly sandals that refused to
be worn, and a pumpkin placement, a recent gift from grandma and grandpa (from home)
that must, under and any and all circumstances, join us for dinner.
Since I have your attention I just want to say this: I've really, really missed this space. So I'm gonna make an effort to come here more often. I'm 100% doing this for me because I miss writing. If you wanna show up here every now and again that'd also be cool but like, no pressure.
Ps. Zeus and LaLa are alive and well. Ok, LaLa only has one eye but that's a whole other post. Like I said, don't be a stranger. We need to catch up!
Pps. For the record, Leo is also alive and well. And is still slinging the best quesadillas in town. I only mention this because I'm eating one right now. Because my husband is a BOSS and surprised me with a late night snack post dinner because he gets me. Because like I said, 9 years strong and going. #ReasonsIMarriedMyHusband
Good to hear things are going well. Looking forward to reading more. LRBC 4 life!
ReplyDeleteSince I no longer live in Portland either, every once in a while I find myself reminiscing about some of my favorite places and always wonder what the LRBC people are up to. Thanks for checking in! :)
ReplyDeleteEvery 6 months or so, when I am stuck in a rut, I read some of the old LRBC posts to remind myself that there are people that do things simply because they love doing them. Works every time. Thank you for coming back and glad all are well.
ReplyDeleteSo glad I found you and that all is well with you two. I was a happy customer at the LRBC from the very beginning.I had many wonderful meals there. But it wasn't just the food, it was the spirit of the place. which was really, truly unique. I loved it and miss you guys. LA was my original home, I fled it for Oregon 40 years ago. You and the LRBC were deeply entwined in my sense of what Portland was really about.
ReplyDeleteWhile reading another pdx chef's blog I remembered how much I used to enjoy reading yours, and came by out of nostalgia. How fun to see that you're here every now and again as well! We don't know each other but you guys fed our little family quite a few times at LRBC when our daughter was little. Now she's a teenager and y'all have a little nugget of your own. Time flies.
ReplyDeleteso, yesterday, i was with some friends at the vivienne kitchen & pantry on sandy blvd (which was somehow entirely enjoyable and altogether too "portland" all at the same time haha). one friend ordered their bacon-arugula-tomato jam-aioli sandwich and i just sat there staring at it. the way the aioli seeped into the rectangle bread SO perfectly was dèjá vu but i couldn't put my finger on it. i knew that bread so intimately like i had just eaten it yesterday and i could imagine an over easy egg in it instantly. finally i realized it was A LITTLE RED BIKE BREAD ROLL. so i had to come here and tell you that you still pop up in memories :) my two favorites: me craving french toast with sweet corn ice cream on top while pregnant with my second in 2009 and LRB coming through for me. and walking through all that snow in 2008 for a latte because you two made it in to open the shop. thanks for those memories. you are missed :)
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ReplyDeleteSO happy to find you! I was a regular at the Portland LRBC back in the day. Please post a lot! I'll be waiting.
So glad to have found you again! I used to frequently eat at the LRBC and was a reader of your blog from the very beginning. You built a real community; it was special. I still miss the cafe
ReplyDelete. There's nothing like it here now, alas.
I'm still here! Miss you guys terribly. I hope you have found fame and fortune and serendipity in LA.
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