A First

For those of you who routinely follow this blog, you will know that even though it is titled "Brandon and Kristen", the former has not once made the effort to contribute any creative content to its pages. Perhaps that is because over the years the primary keeper of said blog has done such a diligent and fantastic job of keeping everyone updated that if the partner were to attempt to create a post, it would have to be excellent beyond words in order to be worthy to be held under the same banner. However, after much urging from Kristen, I have decided to make my first contribution to the online family journal.

I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the attributes and abilities of my wife, Kristen that have made her so great at what she does. Any of you who know Kristen knows that she is an extremely talented and organized planner. She has found a job that utilizes these talents with people that she enjoys, and she loves her job. The majority of her income is not spent on herself, but goes to support my education. As Kristen has been documenting, I have been flying all around the country for residency interviews over the past two months, and all of these trips have been financed and organized by Kristen. Here is an example of how easily it works for me:

Kristen: "You just got an email for an interview offer in Los Angeles on December 13th. Do you want to go?"

Me (stuffing my face with a meal just prepared by Kristen, watching SportsCenter on TV): "Sure. Can you take care of that for me?"

Kristen: "Sure" (1 hour later) "Here you go, this is your itinerary."

Me (sitting with my belt now unbuckled secondary to stuffing my belly with homecooked pizza): "Thanks" (gives paper a cursory glance) "Oh, that's kind of a long lay-over in San Francisco, anything you can do about that?"

Kristen: "Umm maybe, but this was the best flight I could find for the least amount of money"

Me: "And this rental car; is it a convertible? I think it might be warm in LA."

Kristen (Thinking about how 'feels like' -45 F in Rochester): "I dunno, that might put us over budget..."

Me: "Also, could you scrounge up some of those aviator sunglasses so that I can at least fit the part as I cruise around Beverly Hills for chicks?"

Kristen (Thinking about leaving this bum and heading back to greener and warmer pastures in Oregon): "I'll tell you what you can do with those sunglasses..."

What I mean to say is that Kristen has been a great help in this whole process called medical school and applying for residency. I have dragged her out to the freezing cold, away from her family, to a place where she didn't have a job and she has done great. Now she is busy with a job that she loves and spending time with the many friends she has made, and she still has the time and patience to deal with my medical school and interview schedule. I could not have asked for anything more.

Now I say that to say this. Kristen has one weakness: Chocolate. Especially chocolate ice cream. Tonight Kristen and I went to Culver's for dinner. We enjoyed our burgers and when we were done, Kristen put on her big down coat and gloves, walked up to counter and ordered chocolate frozen custard. On this, the coldest day in Rochester in nearly ten years, my wife ordered a frozen dessert. And even though this delectable dish required her to put on her down coat and gloves indoors, she enjoyed it. She will never cease to amaze me.