It was a weekend of announcements and news for me.

The first: Three pregnancies, all babies due within two months of each other, all the couples people I’ve known for ages and never see anymore because I’ve been relegated to the list of temporarily retired ultimate Frisbee players (geez, I hope it’s temporary).

I learned the news at a birthday potluck, and perhaps because I hadn’t seen everyone in so long, the news felt particularly special. I wish these couples well on their journey into parenthood.

The second: A marriage proposal and a summer wedding in the works. The couple is close to our family, so close I can’t believe I didn’t sense this coming. We were all in happy shock.

The third: Swordfighting is, apparently, a universal phenomenon among men and boys. I had no idea. (And women with daughters will likely never know.) Ask any boy or man close to you about this game, and he’ll know exactly what you’re talking about, and if your boy is too young to know, rest assured the knowledge is coming. Check out more about swordfighting here.