😍 Damn. I’m a lucky S-O-B.

On Thursday morning, Brennan and I bundled up and walked a half-a-block from our apartment to a VIP parade viewing area — a luxury afforded to us through my husband’s work.

An officer led us through a crowd 10-deep, around the NYPD barricades, and into a spacious oasis dotting the sea of humanity (that had been camping out in diapers just to get a glimpse of their favorite character soaring above Sixth Avenue).

We had access to food (and hot coffee thank god), bathrooms, seating, and plenty of space to grab a “front row” view so we could high-five hundreds of joyous parade-walkers in outrageously fun costumes.

And as I giddily clapped along to the marching bands, ooh’d and aah’d at the balloons, and waved to the eclectic collection of musical artists passing by (oh hi there Busta Rhymes… Debbie Gibson… Jewel… and Shaggy?), I thought to myself:

“Damn, I’m a lucky S-O-B.”

Not just because I got to (comfortably) attend the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade—

Because I had Brennan’s loving arm wrapped around me the entire time. ♥️

It’s been a rough year.

Back in May, I got sawed in half by the finest surgeons in New York to address a hip problem that had been plaguing me with horrendous pain for years. I’m currently being held together by four titanium screws, and I’m still not 100% off crutches.

I needed my husband more this year than I’ve ever needed him in our entire 13-year relationship. My recovery forced me to rely on him for everything. And he was already busy enough without having to deal with my shit. 

But Brennan balanced his insanely demanding job with caring for me so skillfully that he even managed to get a major promotion.

I’m thankful for Brennan every year. Every moment, really.

But this year really tested the “in sickness” section of our marriage vows, and Bren f*cking aced it. 👊

Cheers! 🍻

-Kristin

P.S. — I hope you enjoyed today’s short note, as I took a little time off for the holiday. I’ll be back in your inbox next Sunday with a full-length edition of Drunk Business Advice.