Madrid, Churros, And The Universe

There are times when I feel like maybe I’m asking a little too much of the universe (“Give me an awesome husband, the opportunity to travel around the world, and lots of cupcakes, please. Also, I’d like to meet Jeff Goldblum.”) I try to keep it in check, I really do (notice I didn’t ask for a pony).

Like, for example, when we were in Madrid last month – for a grand total of only 24 hours – I did not have a lot of expectations.

I certainly didn’t think that I would have any time to spend with Rand. Or that he would have a whole afternoon free.

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I'm doing this weird thing with my mouth here, but Rand looks really cute so I'm posting it.

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Nor did I expect that we’d get perfect weather in which to stroll around downtown.

We aren't actually "strolling" here, but you get the idea: it was lovely out.

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I wouldn’t have dreamed that we’d stumble across a Chagall exhibit – one of my husband’s favorite artists, mind you – and that admission would be free – FREE! – and the gallery itself (the Fundacion Caja Madrid) would be uncrowded and spacious. I mean, this isn’t the sort of thing you can demand from the cosmos, right?

This gallery is located near the palace, and I HIGHLY recommend it. It's always free and the exhibits are always excellent.

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And while we’re at it, it’s absurd to request that right around the corner would be a churro cafe (WHY IS THIS NOT A THING EVERYWHERE?) serving the fried pastries with a side of hot dipping chocolate. No. I couldn’t dream of such a thing.

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He was really, REALLY, really, really happy.

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Or that we’d find ourselves at the Puerta del Sol at sunset, and understand why it’s called del sol.

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No, no, no. These are not things you can ask of the universe. With all the turmoil and strife and crap that other people have to deal with, you can’t even THINK of putting in such a grand request.

But sometimes the universe delivers, anyway. You get a day filled with sunshine and churros and at the end of it, you find yourselves in the Plaza de Colón. The place where, four years ago, the two of you made out:

Okay, FINE. We aren't making out in this particular photo, but we did make out, back when we were young and gorgeous. Just take my word for it on all accounts.

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And you stage a re-enactment, because why not?

Attempts to Photoshop my acne out of this photo were unsuccessful. Focus instead on my gorgeous husband and how great my hair looked.

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You can’t ask the universe for this sort of thing. But, oh man, if you get it anyway? All you can do is say “thank you” a million times over. And remember the next time things don’t go your way, you can look back to that sunlit afternoon in Madrid and think:

“It’s cool, universe. I still owe you from that one time … I still owe you big.”