Balancing Life's Blessings

Even life's many blessings can become overwhelming if we're not careful to balance our responsibilities and take great care to nurture the relationships that shape and support us.

Nikki and I are blessed beyond measure. We have two happy, healthy children. Our parents are still with us, and we've reached the stage in life where they're truly our friends. My business is thriving, and Nikki's first novel is coming along nicely. (She's written more than 23,000 words!)

With work and family commitments, it can become all-too-easy to miss or skip opportunities to go on "dates." That's why I'm grateful that Nikki and I had the chance to spend a Sunday afternoon together recently. My parents watched the kids while we visited Fountain Square, Mass Ave, and the Bottleworks District in Indianapolis.

When Nikki and I found out that we would have some time together, she asked what we should do. Previously, it's been tempting (and, at times, refreshing) to do, well, nothing. After a week full of meetings, or evenings filled with activities for the kids, or weekends filled with birthday parties and family gatherings, it can be nice to simply relax.

But when Nikki asked me what we should do this time, I answered right away: "Let's go somewhere and make some memories." I was craving the opportunity to experience something novel with her, to eat a meal together someplace we had never been, to walk someplace that was new (or was always changing), and to document our trip in some small way (e.g., the photos in this post).

We started with lunch outside at Upland Brewing Company, where canopies provided shade in the outdoor seating area while a DJ blended hip hop tracks. As we walked back to our car, which was parked on the bridge over I-465, Nikki pointed out Idle Park, a tiny green space with orange chairs where you can watch traffic race by.

Then, we made our way to Mass Ave, walking the Bottleworks district, a revitalized commercial center anchored by an old Coca-Cola bottling plant that's been turned into an incredible hotel. We walked down the brick streets, eventually finding our way into Pins Mechanical Company, where we played a game of duckpin bowling.

And, then, our time was up. We needed a few groceries before heading home, so we stopped at a Kroger to pick up the essentials. (Nikki and I often joke that a date isn't complete without a trip to Target or the grocery store.)

After the kids went to sleep, I reflected on how nice it was to spend time with my best friend, my wife. Of course, I cherish time with my kids, including the awesome adventures we take as a family, but there's also something to be said for making time for your spouse.

Over the next few days, I'm confident that I was a more attentive husband and father, and possibly, son and boss. Those few precious hours on a Sunday afternoon were a powerful reminder of the importance of intentionally nurturing the relationships at the core of our daily lives.