Ice cream sandwiches—using pre-made cookies and simple vanilla ice cream—were the fastest, easiest snack I could think of for E.

In two minutes, I made a sandwich with two Tate’s whole wheat dark chocolate cookies and some Breyers Vanilla Ice cream–one for E, one for me. E was working on another app in his office, so I figured he would take about two seconds to devour the sandwich without looking up from his keyboard. Instead, he made snack time quality time.

I skated into E’s office and presented him with the ice cream sandwich. “Oh, honey, this is so sweet!” he said, turning away from the computer. E ate it quickly, taking hearty bites so the ice cream wouldn’t melt, while I grabbed the other one and sat in the nearby recliner. When he finished, he didn’t turn around to the computer and start working again. He waited for me to finish.

E watched me with a smile as I licked up the dripping vanilla ice cream and bit into the cookie crusts, dropping crumbs on my shirt. E smiled even more. He enjoyed me eating my sandwich as much as he enjoyed his own sandwich.

When I was done, he made sure to kiss me hard on the lips. “Thank you, honey. That was lovely.”

I made a simple sandwich, but E celebrated the snack just as much as the more complicated meals I’ve made before. I appreciated that. Which made me appreciate him more.

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