39 Comments

Oh my gosh, you guys! I’m so glad you’re okay! This is a beautiful way to end this essay, I loved it (almost as much as the story of when you first met, which is hands down my favorite!) I love how romantic you are with each other, even after being together for so long, and most especially how you appreciate each other. Hugs ❤️ ❤️

Expand full comment

Thank you very much! We are extremely lucky to have each other (but I'm luckier -- he's nicer).

Expand full comment

To be fair, I've seen hundreds of pictures of the Northern Lights now, and exactly this one photo of a kidney stone. So, once in a lifetime experience over here.

Expand full comment

LOL I hope that's a good thing or at least not TOO bad a thing.

Expand full comment

😂😂😂😂

Expand full comment

Horrendous! I too have had terrible luck seeing the northern lights after years and years of trying.

Expand full comment

There has been so much hype lately. lol

Expand full comment

Ok the pain sounds SO awful!! My friend at work had a kidney stone a week before a trip to Greece this summer and it seemed agonizing too. Luckily it passed in time for him and his wife to take their trip. Your appreciation of Michael is wonderful. We often take our loved ones for granted so it's great that you noticed how blessed you are.

And, for what it's worth, we couldn't see much in Ottawa with the naked eye. All the coolest shots were with the cameras.

Expand full comment

Thank you, Noha!

Yes, I'm starting to think that cameras are skewing everyone's perceptions of the Northern Lights!

Expand full comment

I finally saw my first aurora 4 days ago and it was incredible! But what you two have is so much better, just bleeping adorable 🙂

Expand full comment

Awwww, thank you. Yup, I'm happy.

Expand full comment

Aww, this is so sweet. I actually teared up a little bit at the end. Thank you for sharing this story.

Expand full comment

You are very sweet to say so. :-)

Expand full comment

Lovely, poignant ending to a difficult story. Glad you’re recovering and being so well looked after. I still have the Northern Lights on my bucket list too, lots of friends & family posting pics but here in Portland it’s too bright and/or cloudy. I know we are in the phase solar cycle where options for viewing them are plentiful just need a plan and some luck. Good luck on your adventures and keep looking up at the night sky!

Expand full comment

Thank you!

Yeah, some day it'll be a nice surprise, I think. Maybe for both of us!

Expand full comment

Beautiful stuff, Brent.

Also, what an ordeal. It sounds like an awful experience. Glad to hear you’re ok!

Expand full comment

Thank you! Yes, all clear, pun intended.

Expand full comment

Sorry you missed the Northern Lights and suffered so much, but delighted Michael was there for you.

Expand full comment

Thank you! Yes, a decent trade-off, no? haha

Expand full comment

Yes, looking at the person you love is seeing pure beauty!

So happy this awful episode of the kidney stone is behind you, out of you.

Curious to see where you two will go next.

Expand full comment

Thank you! And yes yes yes!

Expand full comment

I'm so sorry these physical maladies keep cropping up for you guys... but what I love is a happy ending, and this you gave me. Feel better (and thank goodness you weren't in the US... isn't it funny how the default thought is cost for care, even inside excruciating pain?) and rock on... it's always better with two people, especially a spouse.

Expand full comment

Thank you!

After seeing how the entire rest of the world does it, I am so upset with health care in the U.S. It's just outrageous. And people accept it!

Expand full comment

Way to bring a tear to my eye! Honestly.

Great story and I'm glad the damn stone passed and you are okay.

Expand full comment

Thank you, I very much appreciate that.

Expand full comment

So beautiful!

I avoided health care so much for emergencies that when a large pebble appeared in the toilet one day ... I didn't know how that happened ... or that it was related to my pain. I eventually put two and two together.

I'm so sorry you had to go through so much worse!

Once I started eating a plant-based diet (of course =) I stopped having those issues, as I was a big protein and oil eater beforehand. But I realize that might not be true for others.

I hope you never have to experience that again!

Expand full comment

Thank you!

Oh, that's interesting. I eat almost no meat, but I confess I do eat cheese. I asked the doctor if diet made a difference (since I had been on a cruise ship, trying to avoid all the rich foods), and he said no, it didn't. But I find that very very hard to believe.

A friend did has gal bladder stones, and that IS very related to diet though, for sure.

Expand full comment

I know, right?

Most MDs get zero to few classes in how nutrition impacts the body, but that is changing, thanks to the docs who do specialize in that now.

Here is one of my favorite sites to look up the best, and easiest to understand, research from around the world...

https://nutritionfacts.org

If you type 'kidney stones' into the search bar, you'll see which foods are currently known to cause them.

Expand full comment

What a story - and I‘m sorry you had to through all of this, Brent! Glad you did get good medical treatment, though, and are feeling better. And such a romantic ending 🤗

Expand full comment

Thank you! Yes, all's well that ends well, I guess.

Expand full comment

Owww, Brent, I’m so sorry! But very glad it wasn’t anything long-term serious, and that you got such good care. Well done, Michael! ❤️

Expand full comment

Thank you!

Yes, after 33 years, I may keep him.

Expand full comment

I'm glad you're better, and you can see the bright side of this. My husband and I are were lucky to see some spectacular Northern Lights when we lived in Minnesota. But I'd like to see them one more time! You guys have each other and that's so important.

Expand full comment

Indeed! In moments like this, that becomes very clear.

Expand full comment