The Lloyd Dobbler Career Plan

There’s a scene in Say Anything (written by fellow Kentucky native Cameron Crowe) when Diane’s father asks Lloyd (John Cusack) what he plans to do after graduation. Lloyd answers, “Spend as much time as possible with your daughter.”  When pressed on career goals, Lloyd admits, “What I really want to do for a living – is I want to be with your daughter. I’m good at it.”

I’ve thought about that line a lot this week. I just want to hang out with my husband. He’s the greatest guy and being with him is like walking around inside my favorite book. It’s been one of those times (after an a**-kicking year) when I look at my husband in the morning and before we can have a conversation, things start moving fast.  Our kitchen feels like a busy intersection and rush hour starts way before I get into my car.

The dog needs out, then in. The cat is trapped in a closet.

Did you feed the dog?

Did she (our daughter) eat her toast?

Did you pack this or that?

Where’s Bear?

Have you seen her socks? They were just on.

Have you seen my phone?

And on and on.

No amount of night-before packing helps. In the morning, the fairies come and pick-pocket my plans of efficiency.

When we finally arrive at our respective daytime locales, I sit down at my desk and feel that tinge.

I miss George.

 I just saw him, but I missed him. Too busy.

So, I start planning.  What block of time can I look forward to again?  

On Sunday nights, I feel the same kind of dread like I did when we were long distance, living in different cities during the week. We are citizens of Work & Parenting during the week, outside the city limits of Just Our Time.

But in that moment in the morning, when I dock my computer and check voice mail messages, I remember Lloyd Dobbler and feel a little hopeful for a time {a vacation, a lunch, a date} when I don’t have to feel guilty or torn about spending a lot more time with him. I’m good at it.

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