A Beginning

 The white pristine bedding mirrored the possibilities of city lights twinkling outside the hotel window.  Both were pure and unexplored six years ago when my husband, Jeff, and I first arrived in Minneapolis for his initial interviews for a hedge fund position.  We were sans children (home with grandparents) and giddy with the excitement of financial prosperity, time alone and new beginnings.

An Ending?

 Flash forward five years, same hotel, slightly different circumstances.  Still just the two of us (kids with babysitter) but no hedge fund prosperity dreams (been there, done that), no new beginnings.  In truth, endings were more on our minds.  We were spending the night in the city for Jeff’s birthday and to see if there was any joy left in our relationship.

Some Space

The only official plan I had made for the surprise night on the town was the hotel reservation.  The rest was up to us.  Having the whole evening and the next day wide open turned out to be an exciting blank slate.

We poked around a neighborhood on the northeast side of the city and ended up in a hole in the wall Mexican restaurant.  Neither of us had ever been there.  Somehow the common plastic baskets of chips and expected sombreros on the wall glowed with ordinariness and enchantment.  We reminisced easily about our trip before kids, to Puerto Vallarta.  How I hugged the Porcelain God the morning before our return flight to the U.S.  I had drunk too many grande margaritas on the rooftop of a Mexican establishment only too happy to keep serving the gringa.  I made the flight, but forever swore off tequila.

After the chatty, late night dinner at the Mexican place we decided to stop at our favorite candy store at the base of Macy’s parking ramp.  My favorite smell in the world exists there.  The aroma of freshly made caramel corn.  I swear I get a little buzz just walking in the door.  Mix that with roasted nuts and confections of every kind and you have Willy Wonka paradise.  We bought bags of glorified sugar and headed back to the hotel.

Due to severe insulin spikes and plummets from tortilla chips, caramel corn and chocolate covered gummie bears, we passed out before midnight.  I didn’t even have any margaritas.

The next morning we missed breakfast and went in search of brunch.   The day was warm and light. We ended up at a restaurant down by the river.  The brunch/lunch was nice; Jeff got a lamb burger (all I remember).  But next to the restaurant a farmer’s market was in full swing.  There was folk music, fresh food and gobs of organic people.  A little celebration of food, sun and life.

We discovered the best part of the market just as things were winding down.  Under a covered bridge-like structure artisans displayed their wares.  Deep into the shady shelter a gallery owner presented tables and wall space laden with art pieces woven from vivid yarns of cobalt blue, mercuric vermillion, fire soaked orange and earth-rich browns.  Her corner was a tropical reef under stormy waters.  Jeff and I stood and breathed in the artistry and effort.  We touched the raises and dips in texture of each piece.  We asked questions of the gallery owner, Melanie.  She told us the wall hangings were made by artists from Peru.  One piece in particular (an undersea design) drew our attention. It was made by a man named Maximo Laura.  Laura was woven into the corner of his work.  I have a deep childhood connection with the name Laura.  I took it as a sign.

A Little Excitement

 Melanie informed us that she takes groups of clients to Peru to visit studios and explore the country.  Jeff and I looked at each other.  I envisioned difficult but beautiful mountain treks and vibrant people. I’m sure excitement showed on my face just as it did on his.  I saw Jeff in a light I hadn’t seen him in in years.  A mutual enthusiasm pulsed between us. The thought of adventure and a new beginning lit us both up.

Now

We have not been to Peru… yet, but we have been to Melanie’s showroom Art Andes.  We met Maximo Laura (beautiful man with long blue raven hair and warm gentle hands).  We even purchased one of his pieces – a celestial moon kissing a benevolent sun.  It hangs in our entryway reminding us of space, excitement and possibilities. 

I’m not sure where we would be if we hadn’t made space for love and exciting opportunities…

 Space2Love + Excitement=Possibilities

 I would love to hear how an open schedule or a rollercoaster ride led to a spark.  Please share your stories.:)

 

See below for proof of excitement’s influence on love.

*** In 1974 a study was done that proved people are more attracted to each other if they meet in an exciting environment.  The Bridge Study as it’s known involved an attractive woman approaching and talking to men on two different bridges; one a swaying suspension bridge high above a canyon, the other a sturdy footbridge just above a tiny stream.  You guessed it, the men found the woman more attractive when they met on the swaying canyon bridge.  For more details click here Capilano Bridge Experiment.

***Another study done by Charlotte Reissman and Art Aron involved married couples.  Couples who spent time together once a week for ten weeks doing something exciting saw an increase in marital satisfaction.  Couples who spent time together doing self-chosen pleasant activities OR nothing special at all saw NO INCREASE in marital happiness.

Pleasant activities had the same results as doing nothing special at all.

Boredom kills relationships.  Excitement fuels them.

 LIVE and LOVE!!

****************************************************************

I would love to inform you of updates on space2live.  Please click on EMAIL UPDATES WOOHOO! on the right hand side of the homepage.   🙂