Thank goodness for the grill.
Ryan got to work grillin’ up some chicken breasts that we marinated in Asian sesame salad dressing while we were at work today.
Asian Sesame Chicken
I tended to the veggies and roasted some Brussels sprouts after tossing them in olive oil and garlic salt.
My Plate
Chicken 'n' Veggies
Ryan cooked the chicken perfectly and the leaves of the Brussels sprouts were perfectly singed.
Emotional
When it comes to emotions, I feel like I am a pretty consistent person. On occasion though, I feel oddly emotional. I think it happens when something sets me off… a sappy song, a loving email… something like that.
Well, my mom has her final surgery related to her breast cancer treatment scheduled for the end of the month and after watching Robert ‘s dance to Coldplay’s “Fix You” on So You Think You Can Dance last night, I couldn’t help but feel moved. (If you liked that dance you must watch Melissa and Ade’s breast cancer dance from a past season. Tear jerker!)
Seeing Robert’s dance reminded me of a gorgeous rendition of Coldplay’s “Fix You” by the a cappella group Straight No Chaser that I heard a couple of months ago when Ryan and I saw them in concert.
With the help of Grooveshark, I played the song on repeat for the last hour or so of my workday to help me get through some monotonous tasks (think Excel spreadsheet fun). (If you click the link to listen to the song, keep listening for a while. It really picks up and gets super intense! LOVE it.)
As if I wasn’t in an emotional state as it was because of listening to this amazingly beautiful song over and over again, I received an email from Ryan that completely set me off.
As part of our wedding ceremony, our pastor has asked each of us to write down the three things we love most about each other for him to read before we exchange our vows. Well, around 4:30 this afternoon, Ryan emailed me his three things. I was so moved.
Ryan and I have joked back and forth about our three things for a couple months now and I half expected to see something like “I love Julie’s butt” as one of his three things. After reading his amazingly thoughtful list, I can assure you that my butt did not make the list… but three wonderfully romantic statements did, and I feel so lucky to be engaged to such a wonderful man.
Me & My Hubby-to-Be
I apologize for being so mushy-gushy, but if you listen to that song on repeat for an hour, I assure you that you’ll be professing your love and emotions to anyone who will listen, too! 😉
Question of the Evening
What song always makes you tear up?
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Coldplay certainly has a way, don’t they? “The Scientist” is definitely one for me, as well as David Gray’s, “This Year’s Love.”
I’ll be sending prayers and good thoughts to you and your mama!
I’m with you Anna! David Gray’s ‘Sail Away With Me’ always sets me off as well.
Best of luck to your mum, she sounds like a wonderful, strong woman 🙂
Aww I love that song! Love the three things idea so cute and thoughts and prayers with your mom and whole family.
I didn’t know your mom was battling cancer. My own mother breast cancer, and I remember how stressful it can be. Best of luck to her and to you. If you have any questions please feel free to ask me. My family went through eight years of cancer, so I actually have seen (almost) everything.
my prayers, thoughts and positive vibes are with your mom and family!
can’t wait to go home (stealth blogging from work) and listen to that song! some people may think it’s cheesy, but sarah mclachlans “i will remember you” always gets to me.
“I’m already there” by lonestar. It’s my favorite song in the world and has away made me tear up. Now, ever since my father died last year I ball my eyes out to the point of having to pull the car over if I’m driving! it’s an amazing song <3
You and your future hubby are too cute!
Aww, so sweet 🙂 You guys are so perfect for each other.
My song is “You’re gonna miss this” or “God Bless The Broken Road” <– that's the song I want for my wedding song …@ least I think- haha
I don’t know why it showed up as annoymous, but it’s Holly 😀
hi holly! 😀
It’s always nice to be reminded of how lucky we are to have our loved ones. I can only imagine what it’s like dealing with the worry for your mother and stress and happiness over planning your own wedding. Abba’s song Slipping Through My Fingers from Mamma Mia is usually guaranteed to make tear up.
oh that makes my mom cry, too!
Wow Julie, this post was moving. Don’t you dare apologize for getting mushy! I had no idea your mom had breast cancer! Wow, what a strong and amazing woman she must be! I’ll keep her in my prayers and always think of you and her when I hear that song!
Take care hun!
I love Coldplay 🙂
“I Will Remember You” by Sarah McLachlan will always put me in tears. Even on the commercials for the animals, ASPCA maybe?
I haven’t watched last night’s episode of SYTYCD so I’ll make sure to have a tissue handy because I bawled last year with “This Woman’s Worth”.
Have a great evening 🙂
Coldplay songs always get me emotional! Also, just about any song that triggers a thought in my head and I feel like I relate to the lyrics exactly. You and Ryan are such cutie-pies! My boyfriend and I have been together almost 2 years but we really only get to spend summers together since we are both in grad school 3 hours away from each other. We are house-sitting right now and have gotten to live together for the past 2 weeks and it’s been so great! It’s so nice to have our own space. We never get to be alone! I definitely appreciate him more when I see him since my time with him is limited during the year. Sorry to ramble…you guys are so sweet, it makes me smile! 🙂
aw, i’m so happy for you!! long distance is tough, but can be SO worth it.
“Butterfly Kisses”. Gets me EVERY TIME.
That is so sweet. The songs that get me are anything by James Taylor – its a nostalgia thing.
Fast Car by Tracy Chapman
The Breast Cancer dance gives me chills every time. So touching.
You’re very lucky to have a guy like Ryan who is willing to share his love for you 🙂
Oh so great! I hate/love that sappy feeling! It happened to me today and it was over paperclips. . . Silly huh! It’s such a mushhy feeling but you know it makes you strong
Oh and oddly enough the songs that makes me tear up right now is
House that Built Me Miranda Lambert
Their rendition is so amazing! Thank you! Love it!
Both of those dances are just beautiful.
I get pretty emotional during “Lost” by Michael Bublé. But even worse is “I’ll Cover You (Reprise)” from Rent. That song never fails to make me tear up.
OMG – I LOVE that song from RENT, I tear up too, every single time!
oh my goodness, i love emotional songs! and i love that you were expressing yourself tonight too 🙂 “knees to the earth” by watermark makes me SOB every time…it’s the song i walked down the aisle to!
I Hope You Dance and Slipping Through My Fingers are both tear-jerkers for me as a Mom. Daddy dissolves with Little Miss Magic. I think as parents, our emotions are tugged the most by our children. I love you, Julie and I’m sending you hugs for your love and support for me. xo Mama
mama, before i realized this comment was you, i was like that’s EXACTLY like my parents! 🙂 love you, too!
aww don’t apologize! i feel like we get to know you a little more by sharing these precious moments. ryan sure is a perfect 10 – he’s adorable and sentimental! you’re a lucky girl 🙂
the song ‘i hope you dance’ by leeann womack always gets me.
If you like the SYTYCD performance last night you MUST watch THIS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXqa6BitTCk
it’s from the Canadian version and features our winner Tara Jean it is SOO moving! And just brings me to tears everytime I watch it.
Another GREAT song… Matthew Mayfield “Lives Entwined”
so glad your mom is finished with breast cancer treatments!!! what a strong woman she must be.
Such a sweet post. I hope all goes well for your Mom, lots of prayers headed her way.
Ben Fold’s The Luckiest, always tears me up. It’s so great.
You two are so adorable! Does Ryan happen to have any single brothers, friends, cousins, etc.? haha :p
Are we ever going to find out what his three words are?? 😀
haha sure! i think once the wedding is over, i’ll probably do a weekly wedding post until i’ve covered everything. until then it’s a secret though! 🙂
Lady Antebellum w/ Jim Brickman “Never Alone” watch it on youtube. It’ll change you life.
My daddy and I danced to it at my wedding. LOVE that song. Super cheesy though…
Hallelujah done by The Canadian Tenors. Get’s me every time!
And Straight No Chaser = a fabulous concert!!
i saw that dance last night and i was totally brought to tears! my mom died 9 months ago of lung cancer and she was in stage 4 when she was diagnosed…which happened to be the day BEFORE i had a baby. it has been a whilrwind of a year to say the least. i began running 6 months ago and just completed my second 1/2 marathon. she would be so proud, but i couldn’t help balling my eyes out when i saw the dance and “fix you” by coldplay last night.
just found your blog..through skinnyrunners! i look forward to reading! 🙂
oh my gosh i just got teary eyed reading this comment. you clearly are one heck of a strong woman. congrats on your baby and your race. i’m sure your mom would be so amazed. 🙂
Just found you on Skinny Runner, and you guys are too cute! My thoughts and prayers are also with you and your family while your mom goes through her recovery.
As far songs go, gosh, there are so many!
Close Your Eyes – Dave Barnes (our wedding song)
Goodnight My Angel – Billy Joel
The list could go on, but I won’t bore you 🙂 Nice to meet you!
Stop by One Fine Wire if you ever get a chance!
http://www.finewire.blogspot.com
“Gravity” by Sara Bareilles & “Here” by Rascal Flatts. Love them both!
I wish your mom the very best!
Wishing you mom a full recovery. That dance must have hit you hard.
“Walk Away” — Ben Harper
“Slipped Away” by Avril Lavigne – it’s what I listened to over and over after my Grandpa passed away.
Sending prayers your mom’s way!
I’m exactly like that… I’m pretty even keeled, but sometimes something will just hit me. Last year, for example, about a week after my cousin died unexpectedly, the song “Drops of Jupiter” came on my iPod. Granted it had NOTHING to do with my cousin, but for some reason I got really wrapped up in it. Now I can’t listen to it without thinking of him.
P.S. I just saw your face on Skinny Runner!
Hey there, sent her by SR. Songs that make me tear up are In the Ghetto and This Woman’s Work. Best wishes to your Mum. X
omg. i finally got a chance to listen to the song (and a bunch of other ones too!) i’m hooked!!! thanks for introducing me to them! omigoodness i’m gonna be listening to them all weekend! 🙂
they’re so, so amazing. i LOVE SNC!
First random thing, your brussels look great… I just heard of a new method, steaming and then sauteeing with lemon juice, onion and slivered almonds (plus some S&P) and it rocked my world.
Songs, there are so many. Definitely Coldplay Warning Sign for whatever reason, and Fix You. Both of those get me!
This post spoke to me- I’m such a mush-ball when it comes to songs!
David Gray’s This Year’s Love remind me when my (now husband) and I lived 2 states away from each other and the struggle it was being so far away
and
Michael Buble’s Everything was our first dance song, it’s a happy one, and still gives me butterflies.
Then there a million other songs that bring me back to childhood (Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen) and a lot of others that I can remember exactly what grade I was in and who they make me think of. I love music!
we’re dancing to “everything” as our first dance song, too!!!
Sweetness. That’s OK. Sometimes Oprah makes me cry.
I watch the preview for the Blindslide and lose it.
I was feeling very emotional last night too and almost teared up reading this post! Should I blame the pregnancy hormones? Or is it just me? Either way, I can relate to your outpouring of emotion! Sometimes it just hits with no warning! 🙂
Yellowcard – “Believe” (about Sept. 11 attacks)
Found you on SR’s blog where you were featured as her Cat Lady Blog. She is right. You are gorgeous and tiny and so unbelievably sweet. I should hate you but I think I might just be in love with you. So, now I will stalk you, I mean follow you. So I know what you are doing all the time.
Congrats on the soon-to-be marriage. Oh, and my song tears me up all the time is “Fly” by Celine Dion. We played it at my brothers memorial service and I couldn’t keep the tears from pouring.
Run on.
Christmas Shoes by Bob Carlisle totally makes me bawl. I can hardly get through the whole song without completely losing it. Not sure why but it’s so touching.
My heart goes out to your mom, you and the rest of your family. There is nothing wrong with getting emotional. I do it all the time! I work in a cancer center with patients on Phase 1 clinical trials. My patients are some of the bravest people I have ever met and I love when everything works out for them 🙂
Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton. I can’t even think about that song without crying!
Where did you get the headband? I love it
j.crew!
Tim McGraw’s “Don’t Take The Girl” always hits something within me and I get a little misty-eyed.
This was such a great post Julie! This is why I keep repeating myself and asking you to do posts on relationships! How you handle arguments, about how you guys decided to start doing ‘date nights’ (whose idea and why), what you do when you disagree, how you keep things fun etc. You 2 are the most beautiful, genuine, in love and committed couple with the added bonus of actually LIKING each other as friends, as well as partners! It is sadly so rare to see! Most people have their friends, and then they’re significant other. Ryan and you genuinely seem to love hanging out and being together! You always include one another- not because you feel obligated, but because you WANT to be together! Maybe writing how Ryan has helped you through a tough time, with body image, school and how you’ve grown closer together etc.
Love you guys!
Barbara
Mary Black singing “She moves through the fair”. My parents are from Ireland and they would always play this when I was growing up.