I’ve always been tight with money. I’ve never felt the need to own ANYTHING. I am ecstatic when I get something on sale or if I can just “do without”. My needs are small, few and usually inexpensive. David, on the other hand, has a passion for life that requires him to own every cool “toy” at least once before he dies. Although it seems we are working at opposing ends it has served us both well. I prevent him from spending all his money and he forces me to enjoy the “fruits of our labor”. Recently, the conversation in our house has sounded something like this:

David: I REALLY want a jet ski
Me: I REALLY think we should save that money
David: But, I REALLY want a jet ski and it will complete me as a human
Me: I REALLY think we shouldn’t spend our money
David: Think of how much fun it will be?
Me: Think of how nice it will be to not worry about if we have money
David: OH C’mon

Fast forward three years later and we are having the same conversation until finally during a moment of desperation for peace and harmony in my house I hear these words come out of my mouth; “BUY THE JET SKI AND LEAVE ME ALONE!!” (Surprisingly, this is how the kids get what they want too.) So, David bought a Jet Ski on Thursday and we took it to the lake for 4th of July.

Well, I must concede (as I did with the motorcycle) that the Jet Ski is in fact wonderful and we did have a supremely grand time at the lake. Unlike previous visits Lucy swam the entire time in the lake — UNASSISTED! She even climbed aboard the Jet Ski and declared, “Go FAST Daddy! Go Fast!” Max even swam and pointed out every dragonfly with an excited “dagonfie”. We ignited $500 worth of fireworks for the strangest holiday tradition ever invented. And after the singing of the “Star-Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America” we ate watermelon off of the rind and spit out the seeds. I’m not sure we could have had a more All-American 4th of July if Dick Clark had attended.

I now sit here basking in the glory of sun-tanned, exhausted and dirty children. I think David put it best when he said “We’re not buying a Jet Ski babe, we’re making memories.” Indeed.