I just love a happy ending

Happy endings. They really are the best, aren't they? Today, while I was crammed into a movie theater with Bennett and his friend Hughes, I heard Hughes whisper to Bennett 'I just love happy endings'. I had to smile. The movie didn't go as planned... I hadn't planned on a sold-out show at noon. I hadn't planned on waiting in line for 10 minutes. I hadn't planned on going into the theater just as the lights went down. I hadn't planned on not being able to find our friends (who were saving us seats!!). I hadn't planned on the boys semi-freaking out in the darkness. I hadn't planned on sitting in the far right corner of the theater in front of (and behind) a bunch of loud-whisperers (just as an aside- if you are going to whisper, do it softly. Don't whisper loudly - that defeats the whole purpose. If you want to yell at your kid, do it. Don't whisper loudly. It's just not right).

Anyway, I didn't plan on a lot of things at the movies today. But, it was a cute movie. The boys loved it. We did reunite with Hughes' mom and sister (missed getting to talk to Laci and Sydney :( And I got to hear the boys laughing and loving the movie. Happy endings all around :)

A few years ago, that sort of 'this-is-not-how-I-planned-it' event would have been the undoing of me. I would have fretted over finding our friends. I would have been stressed about sitting somewhere other than in the seats that were being saved. I would have wondered how in the world I would find our friends in that sea of people when the movie was over. I would have wondered how I could possibly escape that theater with both boys still in-tow (and not lost in the sea of little people that was milling around aimlessly). Instead, I just found some seats. We settled in and we enjoyed. The boys didn't freak. I didn't either. Ah. What a nice change. 

I wonder how many 'happy endings' I missed out on because I was so uptight, controlling, and worried all the time. Not to say that I'm not still those things at times. I am. I know, you can't believe it, can you? :) But I am better, at least. It's been a long process and I am thankful that God has helped me learn to release that need-to-control and just enjoy things. I missed out on a lot with Bennett when he was little. Not anymore. Thank goodness Bennett (and Brad and everyone else!!) doesn't hold it against me. Another happy ending :)

edited to add: PS The movie was Hotel for Dogs :)