It's the Little Things
February 13, 2010 
My husband took me to a tiny hot dog joint on our first date. There were no candles or flowers or violin players. (Do people actually go on dates like that anymore?) We just sat on the concrete steps of what can only be described as a dive on a local college campus, bright pink hot dogs in one hand and homemade chocolate chip ice cream cones in the other, and watched the students walk past as we talked about how weird it was to actually be out together.
You see, my husband and I walked a long, rough road before we got to go on that first date. The cereal box version is that he was too old for me. I met him when I was fifteen; he was twenty-two. I know. Too old, Kendra. He was a volunteer with my high school youth group. I know again. Too old and way too creepy. But we liked each other. I understand my end. The wide-eyed teeny bopper crushing on the cool guitar-playing new staff guy. Him? If I had the courage, I'd show you a picture of myself when I was in high school. Who knows what the heck he was thinking. Okay, I have the courage. Shoot me now.
You like those bangs? Apparently he did. P.S. I also wore overalls practically every single day because one Sunday he told me I looked cute when I was wearing them. Yes, on the verge of inappropriate for him to say that to a high school sophomore but waaay more inappropriate that I looked like a farmer for three years.
But after those three years of liking each other and not being able to do a single doggone thing about it, it happened. I graduated high school. I finished the summer in my youth group. Then I went to a crummy hot dog joint with the sweetest man I've ever met for our first date. A year later, I had a ring. A year after that, I got another one. Seven years later, we have this.
Why bring this up? Well, it is the weekend of Valentine's Day, but that's only part of it. It's not that nice restaurants and grand romantic gestures aren't nice. I wouldn't turn one down. But we love that hot dog place. We love the experience of sitting and watching college students grab a bite after class. We love smiling at the little kids attacking their giant ice cream cones. We love the simplicity of comfort food that allows every bit of pretense to fade. I personally like wearing sneakers instead of heels. It's not just the hot dog or the ice cream (both of which are slammin' by the way). It's the experience. The simplicity. The calm.
The memory.
Kaz knew that about me, even before we held hands. He knew that I'd be excited about Yum Yum being our first experience together. (Yes, that's actually the name of the place.) Sometimes the simplest of meals, the most unassuming of places are the very things that make moments worth remembering. So don't get caught up in the fancy. Let the ice cream run down your arm and embrace the joy of the moment.
Reader Comments (17)
You guys are so cute! First of all, Yum Yums is awesome. Second, I do remember you wearing overalls all the time. I mean, all the time :) It inspired me to wear overalls. I thought, if Kendra is so cool and she can wear overalls, than I can too!
Sweet story! Isn't it fun looking back on those days?
I love this post, and you guys, and YumYum, and the story of you guys... see you soon!
Awwww, this is such a sweet post. You're right, sometimes it's the simplest of things that gets you to appreciate where you are, and if someone can love you in your geekiest times, that's definitely one for life :)
Love your story.....LOVE your blog. I too, met the love of my life in highschool......my man is also 7 years older than me.......my man also volunteered with our youth group and ended up stepping down so he could date me my senior year. I love that there is someone else with the same story. Aren't these men great??? : ) and we need some more picture of your sweet little boy! Keep up the good work, I love reading here.
I'm just as grateful that the two of you are together! It's a good story. Waiting for something patiently because it IS worth it.
What a touching and sweet love story ! And look at little bitty Sam .. I love stories with happy endings .. <3
What a wonderful love story.....he waited.....you waited......nice.
Aw what a sweet story. :)
Just when I thought you two couldn't get any cuter.... that was so much fun to read.
Bright pink hot dogs? Ew.
Kendra, that is a great story! {I came over here from Emily's.} And let me just say that your baby is Yum-Yum. Seriously.
I got all nostalgic reading this story. I graduated from high school in G'boro and my Senior-year friends and I often went to Yum-Yum's for lunch. Even more nostalgic than that, my 63-year-old mother went to Yum-Yum's as a special treat after piano lessons when she was a teenager.
Hubs and I have a big fat age difference and I must say, there's something about just knowing with great certainty when you're with The One, odds (and peoples' comments) be darned. Here's to the two of you!
I love Yum Yum and your blog.
I too, met my hubs when I was sixteen, got engaged when I was barely 17, had a very long three and a half year engagement and now...ten and a half years later are still happily married with four precious children. We just knew it was meant to be.. it's taken the last 10 1/2 years to convince everyone else ;)
Love your blog! Still love my overalls...and Yes, I would love to be able to print out your recipes!
Even after moving back to Michigan from Greensboro, I will never forget Yum Yum's. Love their milkshakes!
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