Without Wax

Yesterday morning was the type of morning that just screamed "stay in bed swaddled in the heating blanket all day." In fact, I probably would have had I not heard the whimpers coming from Jasmine's bedroom in the wee hours of the morning. Despite the fact that just mere hours before I had fervently proclaimed that the only way I was getting out of bed was if the apartment caught fire.... or if Channing Tatum showed up at our front door, I trudged out of bed and rescued my baby from whatever nightmare she was having. 

Once Jasmine was awake, I basically migrated from the bedroom to the couch. Taking the heating blanket along with me of course. Our day was spent lazily flicking though the channels attempting to find something halfway decent to watch. 

Around 2:00 there was a knock at the door. Thankfully I had just attempted to control my hair and put on a pair of jeans because imagine my surprise when I opened the door and was greeted by a gorgeous bouquet of roses and daises. Beautiful huh? It was definitely enough to spur me into actually accomplishing a few of the things on my to-do list.

I was working my way though the laundry when it occurred to me that I hadn't even read the card that came with the flowers. I mean I was 99.9% certain that the flowers were from James, and I was so amazed at how beautiful they were I hadn't even paid attention to the card. So I stopped what I was doing and opened the card. And there it was, two simple words that make my face light up and my heart soar. Two simple words that wouldn't mean much to the casual observer but mean so much to me. There written in the center of the card were two words: without wax.

Because I feel that at least half of y'all are scratching your heads in an attempt to understand the meaning behind these words, please allow me to explain.  In ancient Greece, when an artist would discover a flaw in one of their sculptures, they would use wax to hide the imperfection. If a sculpture was flawless no wax was necessary and it was without wax. Therefore if someone ever tells you they love you without wax, it means their love for you exemplifies perfection and is authentic and flawless. 

The first time I encountered this expression, I was reading Deception Point (really great book by the way). Throughout the book, the main characters husband repeatedly tells her he loves her without wax, but refuses to tell her what it means. Finally, at the very end of the book (seriously it was on the last page) she discovers what it means. Since then, I've always used it when I'm writing a letter or note to James. It's our thing. Most women my age have husbands who say "Yeah, I love you boo." my guy says "I love you without wax." It's amazing how two simple words can make you feel like the most cherished woman in the world. 

So wherever you guys are, whether your single, in a relationship or your facebook status is set to "it's complicated," know that I appreciate how amazing you guys have been this past year. And I simply adore you...without wax.

 Happy Valentines Day

XOXO Reese