Once upon a time, there was a girl named Michelle who met a boy named Patrick. They became quick friends through an adolescent aphrodisiac known as Outdoor School. And all was good. He was an extremely smart and kind young man with a dry sense of humor. He was able to listen to her ramble on about inconsequential topics and yet he still seemed interested in continuing to spend time with her.

The problem was that this young girl thought that there must be something more out there for her than just Patrick. It's not that she was a mean-spirited, callous, or otherwise inconsiderate person. It just seemed too simple to catch some one's eye without trying. So, instead, she focused her attention on a boy that, while he was her friend, did not reciprocate her feelings toward him. She felt that since many girls considered him the ultimate catch, that she could have no lessor goal.

This is how she came to regard a perfectly good boy, Patrick, as nothing more than her friend.

Of course now and then, when she was caught up in the moment and she forgot what it was that she was supposed to be focusing on, she would enjoy the time she spent with Patrick and even look forward to the next time that she would see him.

After high school, Patrick went off to study at Gonzaga - mathematics of all things. He was the sharpest tool in the shed. This fella's elevator went all the way to the top.

Over time, they stayed in touch, and later, when fate would bring him back to Portland and they would attend PSU together, they began to spend more time together, talking and laughing and sharing their hopes and fears.

Michelle by then was starting to set aside her previous notions about dating as a hierarchical competition. She began to wonder if she hadn't been hasty in ignoring the attentions of her fair suitor.

One night, after she had spent a particularly enjoyable evening out with Patrick, she decided to test her theory. Patrick drove her home, but instead of her regular platonic departure hug, she made a move closer to him to let him know that she was willing to consider something that had previously been off the table.

He hesitated, but then realized that this might be his only shot. He moved in for the kiss and found that he was shaking visibly. She pretended not to notice and leaned in to finally receive the kiss that had been waiting for her for the last four years. And it was pleasant.

He said in a whisper as he shook and held her in his arms, You have no idea how long I have wanted to do that. She smiled and asked him if he wanted to come inside. She had felt his body trembling, and whether she wanted to admit it or not, it was an incredibly powerful feeling to feel so desired. He mumbled something about a class the next day and headed back to his car. As he drove off in the night, she stood outside, feeling as if she had just made an incredible discovery.

Then the most perfectly bizarre thing happened - nothing. She never heard from or saw her dear friend, Patrick again. He never called and he never wrote. Why she didn't communicate with him, who knows? Maybe she was too busy or maybe she was secretly humiliated. Maybe he was too terrified and nervous to call or see her again or maybe he left her house and the next day met the girl of his dreams. Maybe just as she had changed her mind that she had held so steadfastly for the last four years, he had decided that the spoils of victory hadn't been worth the pursuit.

We hope they both lived happily ever after.

So we were at my dad's yesterday for Father's Day and we were explaining the difference between the store bought strawberries (from California) and the local ones that my dad and I went to get at a stand down the road.

We explained that the little ones taste better because they are 'local'. My son, ever the comedian, says, "They're CRAZY?!? Cool, we're eating crazy berries." These are the joys of being bilingual.

For those of you that need further explanation 'loco' in Spanish means 'crazy'.

I am having a hard day today. I am trying to resist my own urges.

You know when you are trying to do something that you know in your head is good for you, but you really don't want to do it? That is what I am trying to do. Break a habit of sorts.

It sucks and I am lonely right now. I hate feeling vulnerable. It bites.

Well, school's officially out and summer is here! We have big plans. The kids are looking forward to a long trip to Mexico, Lily has overnight summer camp, Joaquin has boy scout camp, and they are going to spend much time with their dad.

One goal I have this summer is to think about ways that I can simplify my life. I am tired of run, run, running all of the time. I need to figure out techniques and strategies to slow the pace down. I am thinking of things like yoga and scrutinizing my finances to eliminate the unnecessary expenses so that I don't feel that I am constantly working myself into the ground just to pay the bills.

We went and applied for the kids passports which got me thinking about something else. I really want my kids to fall in love with travel the way that I have and I am thinking of planning annual backpacking trips to different destinations each year with the kids where we can travel and explore and visit new places. Mexico this summer doesn't quite qualify as 'new' but I think we can take an excursion during our trip to a new place that the kids and I haven't seen yet. It is really exciting to watch my kids growing older and to enjoy their company as individuals each with unique thoughts and ideas, not just as my children. I am hoping to foster a mutual love for travel, something that we can share and do together for years to come.