(Note to TGIM: Hey! I didn't forget, I just thought it was still WEDNESDAY, I swear!)
That after thirteen years and three children, you still gawk like a horny teenager and whistle appreciatively as I strut my stuff around the bedroom en deshabille.
That you have almost learned that I am SUCH a poor sport and absolutely cannot stand to be the butt of practical jokes: like the time soon after we were married when you thought it would be oh-so-hilarious to pour ice water on me while I was in the shower, then jump in with me pointing and jeering, "Woo-hoo-hoo! Ha, ha, HA!" (I still feel just awful about the handprint welt I made when I slapped you in the chest... no, really); or the time you played that dandelion trick on me and I yelled and punched you so hard in the chest your little sister thought we would be getting a divorce before the week was over (I still maintain shoving a dandelion in my mouth is not in any way amusing); or that New Year's Eve when we were playing Monopoly with your brothers and you freaking bankrupted me within the first ten minutes, causing me to burst into tears, throw my game piece at you, and stomp out of the room in a huff (okay, in my defense? I was EIGHT MONTHS PREGNANT with our first child and WAAAY hormonal). Consequently you have been forced to direct all your prankish ways toward the children, who, incidentally, will totally be needing therapy when they grow up.
That you give me almost exclusive control of the remote control. Of course, this is mostly just to avoid hearing me whine and kvetch, but still! And you don't even complain TOO much about my compulsive need to adjust the volume, my incessant commentating, and a sad tendency to rewind. Um, a LOT.
That even though you claim never to meddle in anyone's bidness (because RUDE, right?), every time you get on the phone with one of your six brothers, the words, "What you oughta do..." pop out of your mouth, accompanied by a lengthy discourse on just what YOU would do if you were in his situation. Time and again, as you well know. Of course, this is pandemic in your family-- that's why your sister-in-law Amy calls all y'all The What You Oughta Tribe-- so it is more endearing than annoying, due to the whole genetic aspect. But still? Kind of annoying. But mostly endearing!
That you totally support my American Idol obsession, even going so far as to attend the American Idols LIVE concert at the MCI Center in DC on my birthday. Even though I was totally decked out in my Constantine t-shirt. Even though when Constantine burst onto the stage belting out Hard to Handle I was all, "Oh, yes you ARE hard to handle, you hawt little Secret Greek Idol Luvah, you! Rawr!" Even though I kept making a break for it down the aisle trying to capture on video his Bohemian Rhapsody. Even though the stupid, hatin' security guard repeatedly chased me back to my seat yelling, "Stop running in the aisles! It's against fire code! Hey! Get down off that chair! It's a safety hazard! Blah blah blah!" to which I cried out, "BUT I'M SHORT!" Even when Carrie came out singing Inside Your Heaven and all the Idols came back out and joined in at the second verse, and I teared up as I swayed and waved my glowstick. You just smiled understandingly at me and said evenly, "I will stand, but I am NOT waving the glowstick."
That you still willingly attend movies with me despite the sad fact that I am a unrepentant Movie Talker and there is just no reforming me.
That, although you are freakishly strong (right Kalki?), ruggedly sexy, and would rather drive a nail through your thumb with a nailgun (remember when you actually did that?! OUCH.) than have to hit the mall and shop the sale with me, you totally recognize there is no shame in getting in touch with your feminine side and will unabashedly enjoy watching arguably "girly" shows such as Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars with me, as well as old reruns of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. And although we used to squabble over the Oil of Olay face lotion (until I finally bought you your own bottle, you big baby) and you often sneak my "special" (read: "pricey") Aeto Bamboo & Wild Mango Fortifying Hair Mask, I can honestly say I would not want you any other way.
That even though we found ourselves engaged after knowing each other only six weeks, and we almost gave my mother a heart attack when we insisted on being married a mere six weeks after that, I could not have picked a more perfect husband. Luckily! Because good LORD, man! How crazy was THAT?!
That you are an extraordinarily loving and involved father to three of the most precious people in my life. They (and I) are lucky to have you.
I love you, TGIM.
Happy 13th anniversary.
10 Comments:
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Unknown commented:
Awwww... that was SO sweet.
Happy Anniversary you two!- » 12/29/2005 11:52 AM
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WILLIAM commented:
Congrats and Happy Anniversary.
6Weeks? Wow.- » 12/29/2005 12:00 PM
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LadyBug commented:
Happy 13th Anniversary to you and TGYM, Cat. That was such a lovely post.
- » 12/29/2005 12:18 PM
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ieatcrayonz commented:
Lucky 13. God, that was sweet.
- » 12/29/2005 4:09 PM
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Nessa commented:
gawd - i love you even more! why can't i write like this????? your man is one lucky dude!!!!!
- » 12/29/2005 4:15 PM
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Bente commented:
Happy Anniversary! That was a really sweet post, Cat.
- » 12/29/2005 6:06 PM
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commented:
Okay, when I came to your blog this post didn't show up and so I wished you happy anniversary on the previous post and now I just hit reload and BAM! here is the anniversary post and so don't I look stupid?
I'm not sure if I'm more startled by the 6 weeks + 6 weeks or the nailgun thing. MAN. Regardless, I think y'all are fabulous. Happy anniversary (again)!- » 12/29/2005 6:37 PM
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Vajana commented:
Happy Anniversary!!
I LOVE happy endings.- » 12/30/2005 7:45 PM
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commented:
sheesh, grrrl, you made me cry and stuff. that ain't right. yer a lucky gal (and he's a darned lucky dude!!!). :) hope you have many many more good years. starting with 2006! :)
- » 12/31/2005 8:11 PM
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Susie commented:
Aw, late, but Happy Anniversary. Thirteen was good for us, our kid was born just before our 13th, if you can imagine. Whenever I read your "TGIM," I read it as "Thank God I'm married," because that's what I thought it meant at first, and I could totally identify with that, when I see the crap that single friends go through. But this post, seems that my interpretation of it fits. Maybe TGIMTGIM. Yea, that's it.
- » 1/04/2006 5:13 PM