But outside of that, it was a pleasant drive, listening to music and the news. As always news about the New York mayor candidate that can't keep from sending photos of his namesake to strange women. All I could think of was, as tired as I was - "what if politicians were named like the seven dwarfs". You'd have (in New York anyway) Hippy, Horny, Sleezy, Gropey, Greedy, Humpy (only six dwarfs, Doc was replaced by Obamacare).
But you know, for every story I read like that, for every relationship that's imploded in the news, I still know dozens and dozens of people, many like family to me, some actual family, that have someone in their life that is their one and only. Many of us also have had the blessing of parents that weren't just partners in the marriage, but were best friends as well.
Since I work and play with mostly guys, no one really talks about "relationships" though (unless it involves a relationship with a buffalo chicken wing), but once in a while someone let's something slip. When having a business lunch with a male buddy a while back, he noticed the large tire iron in between the front seat of my truck (the "drive through Gary, road service tool").
He just smiled. He then told me the story of when he decided he was going to marry his wife of many years.
He said "we were in our 20's at the mall for something in her car. We came out and though she was well within the lines of her spot, this young jerk pulls in, parking so close to her there is no way she can get out, then walks off with a smirk. There was barely enough room on the passenger side for her to get in. I couldn't fit but she was able to climb in the passenger side, but getting out the spot was almost impossible, he being an inch from her car. After quite a few minutes of minute but precise maneuvering, she got the car free."
Ahh, I thought to myself, a woman who can handle a vehicle. Then he continued.
"What I was so surprised with was how calm she was, she didn't get mad, get frustrated, swear, complain or ask for help. She just calmly and expertly got her car free".
So I said "that's when you decided she was the one for you?"
"No". . he said. "It was when she had backed out. She got out of the car, all composed in her pretty little dress, took out the tire iron and busted out his headlights"
Oh, how I laughed. But I bet we all have some stories. Certainly we all have the ones of when we knew someone was NOT the right one for us. That involve bad manners, crazy relatives, "you have HOW many pet ferrets", underwear under the bed that's not yours, yard signs for Democratic senators, an assortment of 2nd class felonies and personal computer misdeeds that would make Snowden blush.
But for those of you married or in a long term relationship, what was that moment when you knew this person was for you?
You all have a wonderful Friday night.
- Brigid
