Day Sixteen Hundred and Eighty-Four

The Ring City

We started off our San Francisco adventure in the wind and rain on the famous streets of Haight and Ashbury. 

It was freezing cold with the wind and rain slapping us in the face, so we found a local coffe and donut spot and had a little breakfast. Truth: Amelia's never had a donut before. Until yesterday. I felt a little guilty, but the three of us have only ever been to SF once, so we might as well add a few more firsts to the list!

Ohhhhhh Dada and Mama, what have you been withholding from me all these months?!! 

She ate about four bites, took six licks and then actually decided that the kids sitting two tables down from us were more interesting than Mom's favorite treat. And so, the donut found it's way to the floor, breaking Mama's heart in pieces. No donut is ever worth wasting. Except the ones on any ground within a mile of Haight and Ashbury. Saved me 100 calories at least. 

Both years Adam played Cal and Stanford in college, him and the baseball boys would taxi to this neighborhood and explore the hippy, vintage, eclectic shops that line the streets, looking for sneakers and cigars. I had never been, so we let him introduce us to the very bizarre and super funky side of town. And though we were cold, the three of us found a way to enjoy the shock that comes with that territory. And Dad got a pair of sneakers because...Go Cougs?

Oh, the nostalgia.

Five years ago, Adam was walking these very grounds while on the phone with me. I remember it so clearly. He had taxi'd to AT&T Park alone, excited to witness this beautiful park in all it's glory. At the time, the two of us were in love with San Francisco and the dream of one day playing here. He walked around the complex, trying his best to relay to me just exactly what he wished I could be seeing alongside him. It was so exciting. Dreaming and planning together, even while apart. My heart. Gosh, I love him. I remember though, he kept mentioning he was on a time crunch, and that he was busy trying to find something. On multiple occasions, he said goodbye to me, just to call me back a few minutes later with an update on how he was doing. I didn't give it much thought, I just figured he was off getting me a special Giants token to surprise me with when he got home. What I didn't know was that on the other line, and from a thousand miles away, Adam was on the phone with his dad while his dad was directing him to a local jewelry store (our age is showing - we didn't have google maps back then!). 

With half of his college bank account, Adam found and purchased the ring I've worn for five years now from the city of San Francisco. The ring that symbolizes our unity, our love, and our marriage covenant between the two of us and Christ. He picked one out with three diamonds, each held in place by four prongs. And when he gave it to me, one of the things he said was, "One ring, four prongs, three diamonds. One Four Three. I love you."

I = 1

Love = 4

You = 3

Every time I look at it, "I love you" is what always comes to mind. SO glad we're finally getting to see this city together after so many years!!

And with our family too!! My 3 sisters, Parker, Andrew, two aunts, my uncle, and two cousins all came to SF to hang with the Conley crew!! Yesterday was Parker's first game ever!! And though his chubbo face isn't showing it here, he loved all the lights!!

Hello from The Ring City!