Kristen Kehoe's Blog

March 12...like many of you, this was the last day I went to work, the last day my daughter got to go to school, the last day I got up at my normal time, took the dog for a run, and wondered fleetingly if Spring Break was ever going to get here.I pondered that above ellipses for some time this morning while writing this, mostly because it seems so dramatic. Ultimately, I left it there because, well, we're quarantined as a nation (except for those few assholes who still don't believe in things...

Clever title aside, it appears that 2020 is going to be the year of numbers. Olivia determined that today when she followed me around the house saying "fifty-five" in a goofy voice, certain that I would see the hilarity in it.A few days behind because inspiration had not yet hit (seems as though 2020 is following 2019 when it comes to the lack of words inside of me), I knew what the theme of this blog-post was when I found myself turning away from Liv and muttering to myself, "little girl,...

Ten years ago, these two lovebirds said "I do." Of course, because it was our wedding, and we are anything but predictable and classy, we said those words only after an asshole groomsman--*cough* CG *cough*--had pretended to forget our wedding bands, and I finally shouted, "Fine, just use this" before handing over my engagement ring. Super suave and glamorous, just as we were aiming for.I should have known, however, that these antics and impatience would speak to the next decade we spent toge...

It's your birthday, Old Man River, and since it's been a minute since I've seen you, I'm feeling super mushy--this is also evidenced by the way I've cried each time we've talked the past two weeks:) #sorryaboutthatIn our twelve plus years together, River, there are so many things I've learned about you, small discoveries like the fact that you have to eat the moment you're out of bed in the morning, or bigger ones, like how loyal you are, and how supportive. I've learned that you are methodic...

My darling Olivia Anne,Happy seventh birthday, sweet girl! I always wonder what to write you, what to say that could possibly do justice to everything I feel being your mama. It's a gift, Livvy Love, to know that seven years ago, Daddy and I went to the hospital and then came home with you. This morning, up at the ripe hour of 5:50 a.m., eating your unicorn Lucky Charms while Daddy told you that technically you weren't seven yet because Mommy didn't have you until around 10:30 a.m., you paus...

Everyone's choosing a word for this year: "2019 will be my year of...Love, gratitude, health, kindness..." Oddly, though I like to think words are something I use often, something I'm good at, I couldn't think of a word that really meant enough. And then I remembered a phrase that my people throw around often: same same.It's a ridiculous qualifier, something adapted from the longer "same same but different," shortened and used to add light and humor when one grossly underachieves at something...

Once upon a time, not long after we got married, I asked Old Man River to live in a romance novel with me. I wanted our days to be filled with clever moments and smoldering looks; our nights to be filled with passion and declarations of love in the moonlight. I wanted my reality to be like that of those pages I read and write--easy and heart-wrenching and sexy and silly and fun, all with the promise of happily ever after.I have learned, however, that reality is more than a romance novel, if o...

Life's not fair.I've heard this phrase countless times in my thirty-three years; I've even uttered it a time or two when I thought tough-love was the only option left. Often, I find comfort in the abruptness and finality of these words. Life's not fair. They don't lie; there is no candy-coating or rose-tinted shine for a scenario we all know can't be changed.Today, however, I find little comfort in the truth presented by this phrase.Life's not fair.If it were, a young, seventeen-year-old boy...

It's Mother's Day weekend, and this means overwhelming cuteness from my kiddo. She hid this in the guest closet (the same place I hide her presents) and presented me with it today because she "was just too excited!" (something her daddy does all the time.) I was almost afraid to look inside, knowing there was a very real possibility that when asked a question about my favorite things, she might at some point say "bad words" or "wearing sweatpants all day." I avoided those gems, but there are...

My Darling Livvy Love,Sweet girl, you're six! Happy birthday.Since my letter to you last year, a lot has happened. You've just about conquered Kindergarten, you're reading Dr. Seuss all by yourself (props on The Foot Book tonight; slayed it as always), and your scare-game is on point. I had no idea how much could change in a year, Livvy Love. When I was a kid and your Mamma and Bumpa would say things like "time flies," I thought, "the hell it does, we've been stacking firewood forever," but...