Ann Elizabeth Grace, Author

My teeth have been nudging me to go to the dentist for about a year. Low-cost dental work is available in Hungary, which borders Austria to the east, so Dan and I got a recommendation for a good dentist, then made an appointment in Budapest for last Friday. We decided to extend the trip and stay in town through the weekend.

Friday morning we arrived at the train station with plenty of time to spare, happy to put our discount train passes to good use. We hopped on a car just behind the one crowds of people were cramming onto, and were pleasantly surprised to find that we had it all to ourselves. Dealing a game of cards, we waited for the train to depart. And we kept waiting. And waiting. Finally Dan headed for the bistro car in search of information. An employee told him that the front part of the train had split off and left for Budapest some time ago. The back part—which we were on—was staying in Vienna. Obviously we didn’t get the message, which must have been announced in German! Read more…

Saturday night was gorgeous in Vienna: crisp, cool, bustling. My husband, Dan, and I meandered through narrow streets and alleys, finally popping into a cozy café. Midway through a basket of bread, Dan met my gaze and posed a random question. “Annie,”     he said, “what are your three biggest needs in our relationship?” I was touched that he asked, and also a little surprised. After all, we’re edging toward six years together. He could easily assume he knows me so intimately that such questions are no longer necessary.

Mulling it over, I realized that my needs—and the ways in which they are met—have shifted with time, growth, and countless transitions. Rambling a bit as I caught up with my thoughts, I responded honestly, then turned the question on Dan. A dynamic conversation ensued, broad themes filtering into practical details. How, specifically, can we make life sweeter for each other?  Read more…