Nothing spells romance like B*O*X*I*N*G

I'm not one to make requests for gifts.
Sure, if a holiday is approaching and someone asks, I've been known to say, "I could really use some new running socks." Or, "All I really want is for kids to get along and be nice to each other."
It's never anything too extravagant.

This year was different.
With Valentine's approaching, I texted Greg last week and said, "What do you think about getting each other boxing gloves for Valentine's Day?"
His response? "Good one."
I was undeterred, however.
You see, last week, we signed up for a free boxing/mma (mixed martial arts) training session at the gym. IT KICKED MY REAR. (Literally and figuratively as I'm not so coordinated with some of the kicks!)

We loved the workout -- but the $1200 fee to train with the professional just isn't in our budget right now.

Besides, we don't need a professional. We have:
*Turbo Jam
*P-90X
*Slim In Six
*The Firm
*The Biggest Loser
Not to mention the fact that Greg is a certified defensive tactics instructor for the SWAT team and police department.
And of course, we have the internet which allowed us to research and develop our own kickboxing workout.

All we needed was the gloves -- thus, the Valentine's Day REQUEST.

Good man that he is, Greg complied and we did our first workout yesterday.

I'm not sure which made me work harder -- punching -- or trying to block Greg's punches. We had a few "discussions" about whether or not his 6'3" frame versus my 5'8" frame made things harder for me. (Reaching up over my head got really tiring. He kept pointing out that if I was ever attacked -- I wouldn't get to pick the size of my attacker. Point taken. Now lower the dang targets.)

Two minute rounds with 30 second "rest" periods (a.k.a. -- "the-inhale-heave-ho-try-to-catch-my-breath-and-stop-wheezing,") were tough for me. But, I did a mental evaluation as to whether or not kickboxing met my criteria for a good workout.
* Did it make me sweat? CHECK.
* Did my face turn it's ever-so-lovely shade of purplish/red? CHECK
* Were my muscles sore? CHECK
* Did it get my heart-rate up? CHECK.
* Was it a good stress-reliever? CHECK.
* Did it make me bleed? CHECK.

What the heck??@!?!?

Yes, it made me bleed.
But, as with any new love affair -- I find myself wanting more.

Just as soon as my knuckles stop bleeding and the skin grows back.