And so thank goodness it's 2008 now, and I'm (relatively...6 out of 7 days) sane again. I feel like a girl Odysseus, and last summer I was marooned on Calypso's Island. Also, I've come to the conclusion that even-numbered years are just better, go much smoother.
I thought of several reasons why I love Charles and just know he's the guy for me. I share them with you now:
*Because he makes up nicknames for me. Among his favorites are "Samurai," "Ms. Samson," "Slick Willy Dough Boy," "Gooney Goo Goo," and "Slickdom." Other than the first two, I really have no idea where he came up with these or why I've earned the honor of getting called them. But I still think it's cute.
*Here's what else is cute: when he does work projects around the house, his shorts always slip down and you can see about 1 inch of ass crack. But it's Charles crack, and not Stranger crack, and so I'm okay with it.
...........but I do make sure his shorts stay up in public.
*Recently he made a wall shelf for the baby's room. "Cute!" I said when he was done, "A stuffed animals shelf." "No!" he said, "That's where all her trophies are going."
So I really hope she comes out Sporty or Scary Spice, because I'm not really sure what Charles will do with himself if he gets Posh or Baby Spice.
*At the ultrasound, when we found out we're having a girl, he cried in front of the nurses. I did not cry--I just thought: Crap. Now I have to figure out how those twisty ponytail holder thingies work.
*He has a silly laugh, and he screams at the sports reporters on ESPN. And both of those things make me laugh.
*He is one of the most honest people I have ever known, and he has a tremendous amount of integrity. Unless he finds a $20 bill on the ground. I would give it to Lost & Found in case someone comes back for it; Charles keeps it for gas money.
*He has more girl friends than boy friends. Some women would be weirded out by this, but not me. Because his girl friends are like his sisters, and he's a very good listener when they have problems. Except for poor Kim M., who gets yelled at a lot because he thinks she doesn't listen to him. And also he likes to mess with her. It gives him joy for some perverse reason.
*He has a huge, forgiving heart. He's been one of my life's great spiritual teachers.
....except for the spiritual lessons that go like this:
"You know what you need? You need to piss on someone. Be the Big Dog. That'll give you your confidence back. Just crush someone else, let them know YOU'RE in charge. Be the Big Dog. Be the Big Dog."
I'm fairly certain Buddha, Jesus, Oprah, AND Deepak Chopra would all get very frown-y if Charles tried that spiritual lesson on them.
.......although Charles wouldn't care what Oprah had to say about it.
Here are some fun pictures from our wedding 2 years ago. It was super hot, and my mom was being kind of petulant. And also, my hair and makeup were done by a crackhead stylist operating out of his house...never, ever wait until the last minute to book your hair and makeup when getting married in the summer. And, the minister was supposed to do that Khalil Gibran poem about love, except he did some poem by some guy I've never even heard of...and that was after I'd double checked he had the right ceremony stuff. And the place we got married at, Flint Hill, was haunted.
Fortunately, everything turned out beautiful (they tell me, because I don't remember much), my mom got over it (and so did I), and no ghosts came out. I don't know what to think about the minister--he was such a kind, sweet man. I hope the crackhead got busted.
My brother walked me down the aisle. After this job was accomplished, it was the last time he was normal looking and acting all day.
Getting married....
....and Charles making a huge sigh of relief after it was done. He did it! He got himself married!! Everyone who knew and loved Charles for a really long time couldn't believe it either!
Charles's best man Paul making his toast (he asked if the annual fishing trip was still okay with me...I said, "Oh lord yes, PLEASE don't stop taking him on an annual fishing trip. Please.")
This was our cake...
....and this was us cutting our cake. Notice the crackhead hair is already: falling out, down, and stringy. Were I not in a wedding dress, you might think I was a crackhead, too.
Us, with 3 of our favorite people: Nancy, Lana, and Van. Nancy and Van are married, and Nancy is just about finished with radiation treatments for breast cancer. Nancy is one of the most loving, good people I know. Lana is from England, and considers Charles her work husband. And I'm totally fine with that, because I have enough on my hands when he's being a house husband.
Charles with 3 of his favorite people--Rich, Mitch, and Paul.....
....and me with 2 of my favorite people--Carol and Amelia. Both are spiritually kooky just like me: Amelia reads palms, and Carol taught me to rub my hands together super fast for 10-15 minutes straight and then run them around my aura so my chi can get realigned.
After the ceremony, with the wacky minister who I hope isn't headed down the dementia road.
Sorry I don't have a picture of the crackhead hairguy. Pictures of crackheads are always great fun.
8 comments:
Great photos. I love your list. I think you need to get out of my head, though, as I have been composing a similar list to post sometime in the future for my other half. We don't live in the same place (long story that you may read sometime, later) and spent last week together and... well, let's just say a list of the things I love about the man would be a good exercise for me.
:-)Happy Anniversary!
awww...happy anniversary Amy & Charles!!
Thanks for posting the wedding pics:) You were a gorgeous bride! And what beautiful, beautiful people! *love*
and btw - gorgeous photos - you look like a princess. It must seem like this is your first anniversary after what you've been through?
erin: thank you! i will try to stay out of your head (but no promises). lists are my specialty (right behind long-winded diatribes). and it actually DOES feel like the first, sort of. i just gave him a paper gift (to make up for last year) (a book...a sports-related book he'd wanted, because he doesn't read regular people books) and a linen gift (a nike shirt...he ONLY wears nike, NOT adidas or reebok).
i'm learning it's usually a good idea to remind yourself where you've been, why you're here (or why you came back)...particularly in moments that aren't as fresh, new, and shiny. i think you should compose your list and then use it as ammunition in the future...just to remind him how great YOU are, for recognizing how great he is. But that's just how I operate; take it with a grain of salt. :-)
Angel: i heart you right back. particularly for calling us beautiful people, particularly particularly when one of us had crackhead hair. Mwah!
these are such pretty wedding photos! you totally look like you could be a princess mermaid.
and charles sounds like a good good egg -- with plumber crack. love the plumber crack.
my 4-y-o niece, emily, shows crack ALL THE TIME.
happy anniversary! no tear-soaked pasta this year.
hey! where is my comment? i just posted a comment. is it delayed?
poooop.
oh.
it's waiting for approval.
nevermind.
(i wish comment approval came with a very official certificate delivered by mail.)
thank you, ms. p! i had to go to moderated comments because of an unfortunate incident a few weeks ago. i'm actually about to go re-edit the piece that led up to this unfortunate incident, because i've been thinking about it and--once again--i think i've simply been TOO nice. it's a long story, but i've simply become indignant about it; being asked to hide someone else's guilt and flaws for them is just not okay with me.
on a happier note, i did get to sort of/kind of pretend to be a mermaid last week in clearwater beach, florida. i think it would have been much funner to do this in fiji, though. except fiji would have involved about a 14 hour trip by airplane, and also it would have cost at least 2 years worth of college. i will be a fiji mermaid another time.
4 year old butt crack is the cutest, on anyone who is 4--even 4 year olds i don't know. i'm cool with 4 year old crack.
and charles is a good pearl. he got offended once when i suggested he was like a blood diamond, but i'm pretty sure he'll be cool with a good pearl.
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