The Best Decision I Ever Made

In my life, I've made my fair share of mistakes.  Everybody has.  We all know this about ourselves and those close to us.  But I love my mistakes; I hold them close to my heart, because they paved the way for the best decision I ever made.

If I hadn't had that four-year brain fart starting in high school (who shall remain nameless), I never would have needed karaoke to show me my way home.

If I hadn't spent seventeen years with my so-called best friend (who shall remain nameless), who stabbed me in the back countless times, I never would have developed a thick skin.  A thick skin that has been my saving grace these last few years as I've dealt with these people - we all know one or two of them - who have no worldly idea how to treat another human being.  "Nameless" and these other people have also taught me how to stand my ground when I know I'm right, and for that, I thank them.

If I hadn't had such a love-hate relationship with a few certain people over the years, I'd never be able to fully appreciate true, unbiased, unconditional, full-wattage love when I saw it.

If none of these things had ever happened the way they did, I have no idea where I'd have been on March 27, 2003.  I may never have met the love of my life.

Seven years ago, I married my best friend.  Today, as I look back, I can't help but thank God for all of the little mistakes along my path, the ones that brought me to him and him to me.

He never wanted to get married before we met.  I, apparently, have such a profound effect on men (ahem) that I decisively changed his mind over the course of six months...without ever having any idea that this is what I was doing. 

You see, I had given up on the idea that I needed a man to complete me.  I had had enough of serious dating, and I was out to have a little fun and be myself.

And that's when it happened.

Somewhere between him adamantly not wanting to get married and me just wanting to have fun, we found our soul mates in each other.

Every day since we met has been another fairy tale.

Happy seventh wedding anniversary, Swatta.  I love you, and I can say with absolute certainty that you are the best decision I ever made.

On This Day

On this day, six years ago, I awoke alone in my house. Well, alone except for my puppy and the butterflies in my stomach.

I got up, let the puppy out, showered, dressed, and shoved a bit of food in my face. I didn't taste it; my mind was on other things, which somehow managed to take over all perception.

Getting into my fire-engine-red 1999 Ford Escort ZX2, I popped the button to raise the garage door and headed into the next town to pick T up at her hotel.

Hair and nails done, I dropped her back at the hotel and drove home alone with my veil flapping in the wind.

Everything seemed to go in slow motion; it was the longest day in history. Until T and D started down the aisle in front of me and Pop, and I finally caught a glimpse of my sweetheart.

It was all I could do not to run full-tilt down that aisle and jump into his arms. The rest of the day was a blur. A happy, wonderful, fabulous blur. It was as if time sped up the second I saw him that day.

Vows, pictures, drinks, pictures, reception, pictures, learning how to pee in a wedding gown, pictures, nibbling on a salad, pictures, two-second visits with every member of the family, pictures, dancing to the theme from The Breakfast Club with the wedding party, pictures. Dancing with - and singing to - my sweetheart. Pictures. Dancing with my daddy. My sweetheart and his momma. Pictures, pictures, pictures. Going home with my sweetheart and our best friends to change after the reception before heading out to play pool. Realizing the extent to which my tiara was wound into my hair. Not caring. Throwing my red University of Wisconsin sweatshirt on anyway and heading to the neighborhood bar, tiara and all. Celebrating with my sweetheart and my friends.

Funny how time flies. I could swear we just got home from our honeymoon, but here we are with two fur kids (ages 6 and 5), The Princess (age 4), and a pretty established life together.

I have to tell you, though, that the butterflies never left. Ever since I met this boy, they've continued flittering about. I guess it's a package deal.

Six years to the day since our wedding, and it still feels shiny and new.

Swatta, you are my best friend. I love you so.