Friday, August 31, 2007

Traditional: Steel. Modern: Fashion jewelery.

Today feels different.

Technically, it's just another Friday in the endless rotation of Fridays that have gone on and will go on indefinitely. Technically, it's just another day in August, one of thirty-one. Technically, it's just another day to go to work, do what needs to be done.

It's really not just another day, for me.

Eleven years ago today I woke up in another city, in another state. It was scorchingly hot outside. I was excited and a little nervous. I put on that cute dress and had my friend N fix my hair. I slapped some pretty on my face and emerged from the hotel room ready to do this thing we had set in motion months back.
I really didn't know what I was getting myself into at the time (does anyone, really?), but I'd be damned if I was backing down now. I believe in follow through, if nothing else.

You looked so good- tan, dark, tall, lean and handsome. You can tell in the cheesy video that we were giggling a fair amount of the time. When the minister started getting all preachy you can actually see me roll my eyes. Really, we didn't care about the ceremony so much- it didn't matter, in the long run.

You can see how absolutely happy we are in the video. When you couldn't get the ring on my finger at first we started giggling even more.

Some of our friends cried, some of our family cried (though I'm pretty sure our family was crying because they thought we were making a huge mistake). I almost cried. I'm not entirely unconvinced that maybe even we thought we were making a huge mistake. All I know is we were willing to make a go of it. We'd do our best and just see what unfolded.

We really didn't have any idea then- this thing we created. We had no convoluted, grandiose and well-diagrammed plans.
This together thing. This partnership thing. This vague thing. This bigger than us thing.
This amazing thing.

Have we done our best?

Not always.

I expect so much of life, I often spin near the edge, hoping I don't fall off, but prepared to deal with what happens if I do. Early on, I wanted you to be more like me, I wanted you to be less like you. I wanted two of me.

I didn't realize that you being solid, steady, thoughtful of your actions- that was what I need.
You help me fix the things I sometimes think are beyond repair. You listen more than I give you credit for. You don't lie.
You were patient and beyond understanding at a time where we thought that our thing had maybe- possibly- run its course.
When I tried to convince myself it had, you waited for me to convince myself otherwise.
Had you not been the person you are, had you not asserted yourself, had you not waited, patiently, when waiting patiently completely ate you up inside...

Had you not. We would not.


I'm grateful every day for who you are, who we are, and where we've been.
We are lucky to have what we have- we are fortunate to be at this point.

We make a good pair, you and I.
I wouldn't want it any other way.



Happy Anniversary, Mr. Whiskeymarie.


27 comments:

Dr. Monkey Von Monkerstein said...

Awwww, happy anniversary to you both.

Christa said...

your anniversary is MY BIRTHDAY?!!!! i have a heart locket with half of the words "best friends forever" on it. i'm mailing it to:
whiskeymarie
somewhere near my shitty college, minn.

i know it will find you.
and, yes, i'm wasted.

ps said...

happy anniversary, dollface!

Butrfly Garden said...

That was so incredibly awesome! You had me tearing up there at the end.

Happy anniversary. I'm so happy for your eleven years. (Eleven!)

T said...

That's gorgeous. Happy anniversary to you.

Kate said...

You made me cry. Mr. WM and my DLL have some startlingly similar personality traits.

Happy Anniversary to you both!

Suze said...

Very nice. Happy anniversary. I hope you and Mr. WM get the very expensive present I sent you. I mean it is huge and very, very expensive!!!!

Jon said...

Congrats and happy anniversary to both of you.

I wish my wife was that happy. Just kidding, no I don't.

viciousrumours said...

Okay...now I cried a little.

Happy Aniversary Mr and Mrs Whiskey!

Lollie said...

Too bad you can't bring this up on your browser, fold your screen in half like a card and hand it to your Mr. This was THE perfect anniversary message. Lovely...I'm stealing it in 9 1/2 years, kay? When it comes to our early relationship, my Mr. had more than enough patience to fill up flippin' Cedars-Sinai.

McGone said...

Wait a minute... are you saying we got married eleven years ago? Because my memory isn't what it used to be. Ah, sorry... just read the last line.

Happy anniversary to the both of you.

Fran said...

Congratulations and happy anniversary to the WhiskeyMaries!

Great post.

I like the part about the giggling. The Iams did that too, only it was just 4 short months ago.

Christa said...

in my hopped up hoochery i forgot to say happy anniversary. happy day to you both.

Stacey said...

Tell the Mr. I think he's very lucky. Wait from the sound of this post it sounds like you are too!

Happy , Happy! Cheers to you both.

Nature Girl said...

What a wonderful tribute to Mr. WhiskeyMarie. I hope you have a wonderfully happy anniversary, and many many more.
Stacie

domboy said...

That was a fine piece - you should be a writer. I never, never, thought about any of this garbage before; but just being married, and one month away from the 'public' ceremony, I'm thinking about her all the time, and the meaning of it all. Seems I didn't need to think too much after all, you said it so well.

Boxer rebel said...

Happy Anniversary WM.

feisty said...

yeah! sometimes this shit does work out.
congrats and happy anniversary!

Katrin said...

Congratulations!!! Happy Anniversary!!

kimmyk said...

Awww...what a great memory!!!

Happy Anniversary to you guys!

Brillig said...

Love this--gorgeously written. Congrats to you both--HAPPY HAPPY Anni, you two crazy kids.

maliavale said...

Oh, that was just lovely. Congrats.

Carla said...

Happy 11th Anniversary!! That was so sweet. Awwwwwww...

MommasWorld said...

Happy Anniversary! Congratulations on all you have accomplished in 11 years. Getting to 11 is one of the many.

Jenn in Holland said...

Gorgeous. Simply gorgeous.

Hey, just wanted to tell you to pop round my way today, there is a little something for you there...

-R- said...

Happy anniversary! Today is our (my husband's and mine, not yours and mine) second. I have no idea what kind of gifts we were supposed to get; we just went on a trip instead.

Courtney said...

Tears!!! Eyes so full of tears!!!
Damn you!

What an awesome post. And the "I wanted two of me" OMG do I know what that feels like.

I heart you so much! Happy Anniversary.

(Oh, and I hope you went for Steel - so timeless.)