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November 15 ReminiscingWhy am I reminiscing so much? Is it turning 50? Is it going through decades of old photos and laughing at the way I looked?
What ever the reason, I’ve been doing a lot of reminiscing lately. Sometimes it is about a specific person, like a former girlfriend I haven’t spoken to in over 30 years. I wonder what Monique is doing now? Is she still a dental hygienist, did she ever marry and have kids? And what might have happened had I not been so emotionally immature and a jerk at that time.
The strongest thoughts I’ve had lately have been the years spent playing football. Oh I was young when I first put the pads on. I think I started playing at 12 or 13 in the midget league. Prince George had neither a large population nor a lot of football players so there were only two teams in both the midget and bantam leagues. Lakewood, the one I played for and the evil Dutchess Park teams.
The first coach I ever had was a big black guy, who’s last name was Washington. He claimed he had played in the NFL, but I can’t remember if that was ever confirmed. He was a good coach. Drilled us hard and drove the fundamentals home. But beyond being black in a predominately white community I don’t remember much about him.
I played offensive centre or defensive nose tackle most of the time. I was short, stocky and not very fast. I could hit hard and low, but couldn’t catch or run worth a damn. Yeah I was a lineman. I do remember my biggest challenge as a centre was being able to remember the snap count. Gee I guess I can’t blame my bad short term memory on age!
When I advanced to the Bantam league we played for the Lakewood Lakers and played out of the Lakewood Junior High School. We were not a high school team, but used the change room and field to practise and play games. Again there were only two teams in the league. Hell there were only two teams in all of Northern BC! We would always kick Dutchess Park in the final and for two years I played we got to travel to Vancouver to play in the provincial finals.
What a joke! We were true hicks coming out of the sticks. Our equipment was old and tattered. The kids in the south were bigger, stronger, better coached and better equipped. I mean they had cage face masks, where all we had were t-bars. The one game I remember most clearly was played at Swanguard Stadium in Burnaby. We were in awe to be playing in a “real” football stadium. With stands, dressing rooms, a score board and groomed grass. We got beat 45-0 and were NEVER in contention!.
The other truly strong memory I have is of the practises. In Bantam football our coach was named Doug Strachan. He liked to make us work – Hard! I always hated running, but here I was doing laps with full football gear on and then running wind sprints. I thought my guts were going to come out my mouth!
Strange, but we hit harder in practises than we ever did in games. There were a number of drills which gave us the opportunity to lay some really wicked crunches on our team mates.
One was called “closing the door”. The coach would lay two tackling dummies about 5 yards apart. The backs would line up on one side and the lineman on the other. The back would be tossed a ball his objective was to run through the “door” (the tackling dummies). The lineman’s objective; “close the door”. Now just think about 15 and 16 year old pubescent males, with hormones going crazy, being given the opportunity to hammer each other. There we some crazy hits and I saw a number of guys carried out of the way so the next two could go at it.
Another drill was “catch the pig”. This was most fun just after a rain. The coach would find the wettest, muddiest spot on the field. Again, the back on one side, the lineman on the other. The football was tossed into the mud and two guys had to scramble for it. The winner was the guy who came up with the ball.
The “gauntlet” was usually a disciplinary drill. If some players were goofing off, or not putting in the effort the coach wanted he would line up the team in two lines, about three apart. Then the chosen kid would be given the football and told to run through the two lines. Everyone of us could take one shot at the play. Since I was one of the shortest player that time (everyone had a growth spurt and I never did) I would usually plant my helmet in the mid section just below the shoulder pads. It was always rewarding the hear the “ugh” as the wind was taken out of the poor sap.
Eventually football lost it’s lustre. During my final year the Dutchess Park team finally became competitive and started to beat us. This really pissed the coach off, cause he thought we should never loose. After one particularly brutal game he marched into the dressing and announced that no one was to take off their equipment. We were all going back on the field for a full contact practise. This was late November and it was bloody cold out there and he really put us through.
Practises stopped being fun. The coach became more of jerk than a mentor.
He also introduced some more complex blocking patterns. Two of them required the offensive centre (me) to pull out of my position and block either the defensive tackle or end. In the cross block, the guard was to move first, then I would follow behind him and hit the defensive tackle. By crossing we got better angles on the defensive player. In the other I pulled out from my position, the offensive guard and tackle blocked down and I was to hit the defensive end as he came into the back field (presumable thinking he was going to get a free run at the QB). The full back was to follow me through the opening I created.
Now consider this - in both of these plays I was the trailing blocker and was getting small relative to my team mates and I was not too quick on my feet.
So I remember getting run over or spiked in the back of legs many times by a full back who over six feet tall and probably 170 lbs, while I was maybe 5’4”/ 140 lbs. Not a lot of fun!
The “straw that broke the camel’s back was one game when I came up to the line I took a moment to look around. The defensive nose guard in front of me was at least six feet tall and I was looking directly into his chest. When I looked at the guards on either side of me I couldn’t see over their shoulder pads. I was at least a head shorter than everyone.
It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out when you are in the wrong sport.
But I enjoyed the years I played. It kept me shape, it taught me discipline, it introduced me to the importance of team work and allowed me to be part of a special group. So the reminiscing I do about football bring back very special memories and feelings. Although I have no desire to put the football pads on again. I still have bruises from the practise drills.
March 21 Now that was a nice complimentI received one of those male ego building compliments this week and in a act of blatant self promotion I am going to share it! This was particularly nice to get as it came after I had written my previous blog about feeling old.
Just getting back from my first outdoor 5 km run of the season (and it felt great), I headed to the area of the gym where I do my cool down stretching. That is very important to do so your muscles don’t cramp up and you can actually walk away from the event.
I set my mat down right beside a lady I know from work who was doing AB exercises. As I slowly moved my weary body on to the mat, I made a smart aleck comment like “I’m getting too old for this” to which the lady replied “yeah and imagine if you were as old as me.”
I was dumbfounded by this comment, because I didn’t think she was anywhere near as old as me.
I chuckled as I said to her, “I don’t think so K…, I turn 50 in September, so I don’t think you are older than me.”
The look on her face was of total astonishment and wonder. She seemed to take a second look and gulp some air. Her next comment was wonderful; “yeah I guess you’re right, I’m only 43. I would never have taken you for that old”.
Yes, that made me feel real good. Almost 50, able to run 5 KM and still have people think I’m in my late 30’s or early 40’s. Not bad for an old guy!
I hope you have a great long weekend. March 15 Aging is interestingAging is an interesting phenomena. Yes, that is the best way I can describe it.
In six months I turn 50. WHAT? HOW MUCH? When did that happen?
In my mind if still feel like the young kid coming out of university, who didn’t have clue what he wanted to do with his life. I have memories that are so vivid they seem like they happened yesterday of events that are now 20 or 30 years old. In many situations I’m dealing with people who are too young enough to remember the death of John Lennon, let alone remember the night the Beatles played “The Ed Sullivan” show”.
But physically I am beginning to understand the concept of aging. I am in better shape now than I have been those 20 or 30 years I mentioned above, but the creaks and pains of old age are catching up.
My lower back gets stiff and sore at time. The physiotherapist tells me it is an aging thing.
My bi-focal glasses don’t seem to focus as well as they use to. Or is it the font on the new computers is getting smaller ;).
And now I’m beginning to have pain in my hand knuckles that I worry it is the early stages of arthritis. I was just doing my laundry and ironing and it was tough to hold the detergent bottle while pouring from it and gripping the iron caused discomfort.
So despite the fact I can run 5 KM in under 30 minutes, or bench press 150 lbs, my body is telling me, in no uncertain terms that I am getting old! And I am not happy about that.
But I shouldn’t complain. I am very healthy, in good shape and have better strength and stamina than many men 1/2 my age. I should be good for at least another 25 years and that’s a good thing, cause that is what I promised Stacey when she agreed to marry me!
I’ve heard it said that youth is wasted on the young! How true. With age comes wisdom and a perspective that the young just don’t get. Now that I understand things better I could have lots of fun, but my body just won’t let me enjoy myself sometimes.
Actually my biggest fear about turning 50 is the party I may have to participate in. My wife’s family is wonderful and I love them dearly, but they are practical jokers extraordinary, and I can just imagine the wonderful things they will have for me on that day. But Stacey’s dad has to be careful – he turns 50 after me and so I have a chance to get back at him ;)! January 22 Seven Hours From Toronto"Seven Hours From Toronto" is not the title of a bad movie or Westerner’s greatest fear. No that is how long it took Stacey and I to drive from Toronto to North Bay on Sunday.
The trip is usually a 3.5 hour drive………
Winter weather is so fickle. It can change quickly and when you are travelling the suicide highways that are the 400 series in Ontario, things can get either very scary or very boring!
During this trip we experienced both! But at least we were lucky and didn’t ended up in the bumper car event that took place on a 20 KM stretch of the highway. For details on this please see: http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_18751.aspx or http://www.citynews.ca/news/news_18761.aspx
Stacey and I left Brampton at about 2:15PM on Sunday. The skies were relatively clear and the temperature was about -4C (although the blowing wind made it feel a lot colder). Since we didn’t want to traverse the 401 (which is an insane highway at the best of times), we headed directly north towards Highway 9, where we could head east and pick up Highway 400 just south of Cookstown.
During our drive up the skies were really strange looking. I haven’t seen cloud formations like that before. We drove through lots of blowing snow, but very little falling snow. The highways ranged from compact snow to icy. We passed on roll-over traffic accident, but generally were able to travel at the posted speed limit.
We got to the Highway 400 on ramp at about 3:15 PM and was greeted by an OPP cruiser with its cherries flashing and a road crew. The freeway was closed and they were rerouting traffic.
Our option was to back track about 5km to Highway 27 and try to go around the area.
Since I usually listen to satellite radio we hadn’t heard anything on the radio about the road closure. AND since most FM stations don’t have live DJs on Sundays, it probably won’t have mattered, because we would not have heard the news anyways.
I was able to pick up 1010AM New/ Talk Radio out of Toronto and heard that a snow squall blew through the area bringing with it instant white out conditions. The result, several major traffic pile up with upwards of 100 cars involved. And the highway was closed from Highway 9 to Route 89 (Cookstown). BTW – the guy on 1010 Radio was TERRIBLE. His name was Spider Jones and not only was he a blowhard (which is needed for Talk Radio), but he couldn’t put two thoughts together to create a coherent sentence. Most painful to listen to.
The distance from the Highway 9 on ramp to Route 89 (Cookstown Outlet Mall) is 20 KM. The side route we had to take was about 31 Km to cover the same distance. This took us almost 3 hours to travel!
There was so much traffic (it was bumper to bumper in both directions for the entire 31 KM distance) and the roads were so slippery that all we could do was stop or crawl! Unfortunately many of the tractor-trailer units on the highway couldn’t get up the small hills on the side route because of the icy conditions. So that added to the traffic woes.
We got to the Cookstown mall just before 6PM! We stopped for a quick bite to eat and headed North on Highway 400. At that point we got stuck behind a group of highway snowploughs and sanders which slowed traffic to around 60 kmph. The way they plough the highways is to stagger three trucks across the entire road and have a fourth dropping salt. There is no way to get around them, so traffic just backs up. We ended up following them up the highway for at least 50 km.
Once the ploughs get out of the way the traffic treats it like the start of the Daytona 500! Despite the road conditons which were poor to terrible, many drivers seemed intent on travelling like it was sunny summer afternoon. I was quite content to travel at about 80 kmph and that seemed excessive at times, given the blowing and falling snow which created very poor road conditions. With compact icy sections and snow on the road it was impossible to see the centre line or shoulders.
At one point Stacey and I even talked about pulling off and taking a motel for the evening. It seemed safer than trying to deal with the wackos and the weather.
Fortunately once we got north of Gravenhurst the cold temps kicked in, the skies cleared, the snow stopped falling and the roads cleared up entirely. It was wild to watch the temperature drop in a few minutes from -14C to -25C on the thermometer in the VUE. By the time we got to North Bay it was a wonderful -31C. Oh JOY!
We pulled into our driveway at about 9:15 PM. I was very tired, but didn’t feel too bad. One advantage of age is that I’ve been through this several times and don’t stress about it anymore. Take my time, plug along and make it safe is the best approach to take. The objective is to make it your destination - it is not about how fast you get to your destination.
But it will be well into the spring before I travel back to Toronto. I don’t want to temp fate with the weather and road conditions. Sure glad we are flying out of North Bay when we go to Jamaica in 12 Days! January 08 Reflections from 2007I stole this from a FaceBook friend. Kinda of interesting, insightful and fun to do.
Feel free to steal and post your own.
1) Where did you begin 2007? - I don’t honestly remember. It couldn’t have been very memorable.
2) What was your status by Valentine's Day? - Single
3) Were you working? - Yes
4) Did you get any piercings or tattoos? - Are you kidding? No way!
5) Did you have to go to the hospital? - Yes - but only for tests and to be with a friend in emergency ward.
6) Did you have any encounters with the police? - Yes – but I was only the passenger when my daughter got her first speeding ticket.
7) Where did you go on holiday? - Hawaii in February with my daughters.
8) What did you purchase that was over $1000? - Saturn VUE, engagement and wedding ring
9) Did you know anybody who got married? - Nope, but I did attend a wedding with Stacey. I just didn't know the couple before the event.
10) Did you know anybody who passed away? - No, but my mom sure gave us a scare late in the year!
11) Did you move anywhere? - No
12) What concerts/shows did you go to? - None
13) Are you registered to vote? - Yes
15) Where do you live now? - Callander
16) Describe your birthday? - Quiet dinner with my parents, my fiancé and her parents
17) What's one thing you thought you'd never do but did in 2007? - Jumped out of an airplane – awesome!
18) What has been your favorite moment? - Tthis has been a wonderful year, with many, many special moments. A few of the highlights included;
19) What lesson did you learn? - If you are patient and be yourself, you can find your soul mate.
20) Any new additions to your family? - Oh yeah – fiancé and her daughter.
21) What was your best month? - Do I have to pick only one?
22) What music will you remember 2007 by? - “So Far” – by Kelly Jay
23) Made new friends? - Many, especially with Stacey's wonderful family.
24) New best friend? - Stacey
25) Favorite Night out? - There was a hot tub party in Cambridge….but that is all I will say.
26) What do you expect in 2008? - Getting married in February and after that I expect a "happy ever after" year. January 07 Four Weeks Away
In four weeks Stacey and I will board a plane at the horrible time of 6AM and begin our journey to Montego Bay, Jamaica.
So what you say? Many people take mid-winter vacations to warm climates. I have been lucky enough to enjoy trips to Hawaii in February in 2006 and 2007.
But this one is different. This is not just a holiday. It is more than an adventure. It is the start of a new life for Stacey and me. We are going to Jamaica to get married!
I am not one who shows his emotions openly, so it may not look like I am very excited. I call it the duck syndrome; above the water I’m calm, cool and collected, while under the surface I’m paddling like mad to stay afloat (or in my case contain my excitement).
I am even finding it hard to find the write words to express my excitement and anticipation.
What really appeals to me is that we are not doing the traditional wedding ceremony. I have written before on how I find the wedding ceremony to be too tied in tradition, expectation, pomp and circumstance, expense and general crap. So to be “running away” to a tropical paradise; to be getting married barefoot on a beach, in a white linen outfit is fabulous.
And almost without exception I have not spoken to anyone who says “What are you nuts?! You should be doing the big family wedding!” Everyone says “Yeah that is the way to go!” Even today, someone said to me “If I could go back and do my wedding over again, I would do exactly what you are doing!”
When it comes time for my daughters to get married, I am going to strongly suggest they do exactly this – run away, treat yourself, get married because you love the person, not to be put on display, to appease extended family or get caught up in the emotion of the “Wedding Industry”.
I was looking at the website for the resort Stacey and I will be staying at again last night and am getting even more excited. I just hope my expectations are not getting too high for what this trip will be.
BUT above all else, putting aside the trip, the fun of running away, what I am really excited about and looking forward to is marrying Stacey. In her I have found my soul mate. Our chemistry is dynamic; our personalities are similar; our intellect is well matched, our likes and dislikes close and together we have wonderful plans, hopes and expectations for our future together.
Now if we can both contain ourselves and managed the excitement as we wait out the next four weeks. I’ll keep you posted on how it goes.
Challenges still to be faced:
>> Arrival of my outfit from the US Company we ordered it from.
>> Arrival of Stacey’s wedding ring, which is being made, but we haven’t heard how it is coming.
>> Completion of Stacey’s wedding dress, which she is making with a seamstress friend of hers.
I’ll keep you posted on things as the date draws closer. January 03 A New Year - Back At ItI have been so lazy with my blogging. I’m not sure why. I really enjoy writing and trying to entertain people with a quirky look at the world and my life.
However, lately I have been having a terrible time getting motivated to write. I think of an interesting topic and simply do not make the time to write about it.
Makes me wonder if it is true that true creativity only comes from a place of pain. When I was depressed, sad or unhappy I could write lots. I’m not any more, and my writing has suffered.
I’m not complaining, since I certainly do not want to go back to what (or where) I was. I am happier now than I have been in many years. It’s not perfect (I didn’t win the Lotto 649, so……), but it is good, nay great!
Speaking of being happy; (How’s that for a segue!) one of the reasons for my happiness is my pending wedding. That is coming quick. Stacey and I are just 31 days from flying to Jamaica and 35 days from our barefoot beach wedding.
I ordered my wedding suit on line yesterday – cost all of $125 (shipping included)! YES! I like that price. Stacey was laughing that the material for her dress (still to be made), will cost more than that. It is good to be a guy! My “suit” is really just a shirt and pants. White linen shirt and pants.
Unfortunately I won't look like the models (sorry honey!
But this is soooooooooooooooo cool! No monkey suit, no tie, heck no shoes. I get to wear something relaxing where I can walk barefoot on the beach and not worry if I get it wet.
I’m excited for this trip. It will be a blast. Not only will I get to spend a week at a luxourious all inclusive resort in Jamaica, but I get to marry a wonderful and lovely lady.
But before then, I have to get back to the gym and drop the pounds I gained over the holidays. All of the good habits I have worked on in the last two years, went out the window and I’m paying for it now. I don’t think it will take much to drop back, I’m just frustrated at my lack of will power and letting myself be such a glutton!
Stacey and I picked up my wedding ring yesterday, which is helping add to the excitement and anticipation for the trip. I wanted to take a picture of it and post it here, but was told I could not do that until I was wearing it and that WOULD NOT happen until we are married (I’m paraphrasing).
I’m very happy with the ring. It is not your standard band of gold. I will post some pics as soon as I get back from Jamaica. I just hope we have Stacey's ring for the wedding. We are still waiting for Stacey’s ring to be delivered. It’s been on order for almost two months and we are only one month away from leaving. They are making it so I hope this doesn’t cause any problems.
That is it for today – I don’t want to strain myself on my first time out. Kinda like my run today – only did 10 minutes, since it has been awhile since I was on the treadmill (other than life).
But look for more writing in the near future. My new years resolution is to write more, my goal is to write at least one blog entry per week. My plan and hope is to write more often, but I don’t want to build my own expectation and then feel bad if I fail. Once per week should be very doable.
Take care and enjoy your day
31 Days to Jamaica 35 Days to Wedding in Jamaica! November 03 A sad dayThis day comes every year, but it never gets easier. I know its coming, the weather changes, the air gets cold, the leaves change and fall off their trees and eventually I have to put the motorcycle away!
Boo Hoo!
I do not like this day! But living in Canada we know it is coming. If I still lived in Edmonton it would come a lot earlier. If I lived in Vancouver and could stand the rain I might be able to avoid it. But I live in North Bay, so it does eventually come.
Truth be told it was a flippin lovely day out today. Too nice to put the bike away! It was about 10 Celsius when I road the bike to my future in-laws place. Actually, even as I road the bike up to their place I found the wind to have a real bite to it. There is little or no direct heat coming off the sun and the wind has a chill to it.
In recent years I’ve had to put my bike in my shed, which is at the back of my yard and real pain in the ass to get to. Putting the bike in their was a chore.
This year I was able to clear out a spot in a garage and put the bike there. I’ve even left the battery in, so if it does get really nice one weekend, I can still sneak out with the bike. COOL!
Not like that is likely to happen, but it is a nice dream.
BTW – thanks to Lee (my future mother-in-law) who helped me push the bike into place. So now it snoozes until next year when Stacey and I can begin in earnest our enjoyment of the open road and I can turn her into a real biker babe!
For now I live for February, when I run away to Jamaica with my love and get married! In the warmth and humidity that is the Caribbean! 92 days until we fly, 95 until I can “officially” call Stacey my wife and I can’t wait. I also can’t wait until I can bring my motorcycle out of hibernation next spring.
But what is that old saying “good things comes to those who wait!”. October 22 I guess I can't dance!That really hurt the ego! Stacey and I went to a Latin Dance party Saturday evening. The event was hosted by a couple who teach dance. Stacey has been taking Belly Dancing lessons from the lady for about five weeks and is really enjoying it.
When Stacey suggested we go I thought why not? I figured it would be a chance to try some steps and maybe even pick up a few pointers. Unfortunately I found the experience to be very frustrating, intimidating and a real hit to my self perception.
Most people attending the party were students from various classes and were at varying levels of progress. Some couples really looked in sync, while others were still counting in their head. And then there was me….
A couple of confessions for you. I have always felt I have pretty good rhythm, but I have NEVER learned to dance as a couple. So while I can gyrate on the floor and generally make a fool of myself, I have no clue how to move with someone, or what steps make up even the most basic dance move. Winning a hip shaking contest on a Bahaman Booze Cruise does not make me a dancer!
I spent much of the evening watching the feet of people trying to figure out the moves they were doing. That was a bust cause I couldn’t figure anything out.
Those that could dance made it look easy, so with a sense of shyness and trepidation I took to the dance floor to try my hand at the CHA CHA CHA. What a bust! As soon as tried the dance moves and began thinking about what I was doing I lost what little rhythm I actually have. I could not figure out how to move from one foot to the other in even the simplest of steps. Add to the mix that I had to worry about not stepping on Stacey’s toes, or make a complete fool of myself and I quickly became so self-conscious of what I was doing that everything went bad. My system just wanted to shut down.
I had several revelations that really hurt that night. First I don’t have the “natural” rhythm I thought I had. My fooling around the house dancing as I clean does make me a dancer. I am just another “white guy” without rhythm.
The next revelation was that dancing is not as easy as it looks. When you watch people who know what they are doing it really made me think “Oh yeah, I can do that”. Not so fast Charlie Brown! That is a lot harder than it looks and it will take a lot of hard work to get there. It does give me an entire new appreciation for the “Dancing With The Stars” participants.
I felt bad for Stacey. She has danced for much of her life and I really wanted to be on the floor, but I was so frustrated, mad at myself and intimated that I just didn’t want to be on the dance floor.
I am not writing dancing off entirely. The plan is to take some dance lessons and I am looking forward to that. In that closed environment I can concentrate on learning the steps and then fit it into the rhythm of the music.
One day I will take Stacey dancing and we will not sit down all night. Of that I promise her. October 16 Changing PlansStacey and I have decided to change our wedding plans. Rather than having the big family wedding in August of next year we are running away to have a fantasy wedding at a luxurious all inclusive resort in Jamaica in February.
As we were working on the wedding plans we were finding things were becoming more complicated, more stressful and a lot more expensive than we originally thought. It got to the point where Stacey said to me “I’m not even looking forward to my own wedding, let’s elope!”
That was said with a slight “tongue in cheek” attitude, but it was a great idea and one I had quietly thought for some time.
My response to Stacey…”Sweetheart, you won’t get any argument from me! Let’s do it!”
For me it is the end goal of being married to a wonderful and beautiful lady who will become my partner in life, that I am focused on. The fact that Stacey has never been to a tropical location would make this even more special. AND the resort we chose is very luxurious and we have booked a “Twilight Wedding Package” which will pamper us and ensure that our wedding is very special and memorable. So we get to have a mid-winter vacation / wedding / honeymoon all tied up into one fabulous package! Looking at the pictures from the resort it looks like our wedding will be a barefoot beach affair in a lovely location - awesome!
The idea of running away to a tropical location for a wedding resonated with me. I am not big on formalities or ceremonies. Weddings, funerals, graduation ceremonies, grand openings all have little appeal to me. I do not understand the need humans have for rituals like all the pomp and circumstance around the opening of parliament. So the idea of not having to go through the wedding day was very appealing to me. I would have gladly done it in order to become Stacey’s husband. But honestly, I am very excited by the plans we now have for our tropical wedding.
I was also struggling with inviting my friends and family to the wedding. ALL of these people would have to travel from either New Brunswick or out west to attend and I could not justify the expense they would have to spend to attend a ceremony where I would not be able to spend much time with them. However, I didn’t want to not invite them, because I feared that would send a message that I didn’t value their friendship or attendance. But I also didn’t want to invite them and set up an expectation that they needed to attend my wedding and spend the money. I felt I was in a “Catch 22”. AND every time I tried to explain this to people it got confused and convoluted and despite what I said, some people interpreted it as “You don’t want me at your wedding”, which was not the intent of my angst.
So we are not formally inviting anyone to the Jamaican wedding. However, if anyone needs a mid-winter vacation and wants to join us, then you are more than welcome to come. Email me if you want details on when and where we are going. Be warned though – we will not be entertaining people and you may be on your own for some of the vacation.
Weddings are wonderful. Having said that, they also come with far too much baggage, expectations, formality, stress and expense. The wedding is suppose to be a happy day for the bride and groom, but it more often seems to be such an overwhelming time that they can’t enjoy it.
It may be interpreted as selfish, but the idea of running away and having a wedding just for Stacey and I is FANTASTIC. There maybe disappointment for some that there won't be formal wedding to attend. I hope those disappointments can be put aside and everyone will be really happy for Stacey and myself.
We are planning on having a big BBQ celebration next summer, where Stacey and I can host and celebrate our marriage with our friends and family in a relaxed, comfortable and non-stressed environment. More details on that will be forthcoming.
For now, please be happy for Stacey and me. We are really excited and happy with the change in plans. August 23 One Year AwayAs of today, August 23, it is one year until I marry Stacey! It seems so far away.
In my heart I have already married her. Now I wait for the official ceremony (which I feel too much attention is paid to) and to get the government stamp of approval. Neither of these “official” elements is as important as being with her now; of giving her all the love I have, of feeling the warmth of her hug and love in her kiss. But I will wait to wear the ring that proudly displays my love for and commitment to my saving angel.
In my heart our union is part of God‘s perfect plan. He brought us together; two people who were drifting in life, who had all but given up on finding someone to love and who would make them happy and content. He saw our need and said “may they be one”.
In my heart Stacey is the one for me. She is my soul mate. I am happier than I have been in many, many years. I am overwhelmed with the love I feel for this lovely lady. And to imagine, this all started with a chance meeting during the filming of a television pilot.
In my heart I am confident I can make her happy and provide the love and support that a husband should give his wife. Ours will be a partnership of equals and together we will be build a life and home filled with love. We are so right for each other; have many things in common and just enough differences to keep things interesting (I don’t know if I will ever appreciate horror movies).
In my heart I am the luckiest man in the world, because I have found my soul mate.
In my heart August 23, 2008 is just around the corner, but it feels an eternity away. August 22 Of all I have done – Of all I want to doI do not consider myself an adrenaline junkie, but I do enjoy doing things that get the adrenaline flowing.
Of all the things I’ve done, skydiving has to be the most thrilling. After the jump, as I decompressed and assessed what I had done, I thought back on the things I’ve done that have given me a “rush”, were very out of character or interesting (in some form or another).
Here is list of things I’ve done (some really stupid) in no particular order:
But there are still some “thrills” I want to experience. Here is the list I can think of right now.
I’m not sure if I will get to do all of these, but I’ll keep looking for the opportunities. And while I'm not an adrenaline junkie, I guess I would say I do enjoy the thrill of pushing myself. August 19 INCREDIBLE EXPERIENCEThat was an incredible experience. Maybe a once in a lifetime experience and certainly something I am glad I did.
Skydiving is something that is definitely for the adrenaline junkies. It creates in you an overwhelming array of sensations.
It was a beautiful morning as I drove the Gardner Express Way, headed to the shadow of the CN tower to pick up Kyla. Skydiving was her idea. She tried to do it last October with a group from Humber College, but bad weather forces the cancellation of the jump, so she was given a ticket and told she could come back and use it anytime.
At that time she asked me if I wanted to go and watch her jump. I told her I would do one better – I would go and jump with her. Skydiving is something I’ve thought about doing since I was in my late teens. But that is as far as it got. I thought about it, but never took action to do it. At that time the only option was a solo jumping and that was very pricy and required a lot of training.
Doing a tandem jump is great. OK, its still very pricy, but you don’t need all the training and you are with a very seasoned jumper, who would know what to do in the event anything went wrong.
We arrived at Skydive Toronto just before 10AM. Excitement and anticipation filled both of us as we walked up to the registration room. Before you can jump you have to endure a 30 minute training video, which spends a lot of time telling you “there are inherent risks with skydiving, and by doing this you will have to sign a waiver which absolves the operators of any and all liabilities.” That was probably the scariest thing of the entire day – getting through the waiver talk.
After the video it was filling out a bunch of forms and reading through and signing the waiver. Excitement builds as you begin to anticipate the event.
We watched several of the early arrivers are being loaded up and then landing. The look of exhilaration on their faces was reassuring. This was going to be a wonderful experience. I didn’t hear anyone say “I didn’t like it, it was lousy”.
10:30 AM – an announcement over the loudspeaker advising tandem skydivers that things would be moving slowly today. Two of the videographer jumpers and one tandem instructor had been in a car accident the day before and were not at work today as they recovered from their bumps and bruises. I guess driving is more dangerous than skydiving.
11:45AM. Still waiting for our call and decide we need to get some food. Check with registration and are told we should be back by 1PM because that is when our time will be.
1:00 PM When we check in after grabbing a quick bite we are told it will be about another hour.
2:00 PM Unfortunately as we wait the excitement and enthusiasm is giving way to boredom and fatigue. I see it others who are waiting also. The hanger is a hive of activity with parachutes being repacked, a solo jump class is underway and some regulars are signing up to get jumps in.
3:00 PM Finally we get the call to get our suited up and get our final instructions. “The plane will take about 20 minutes to climb to 10,500 feet. At 9,000 feet we will get harnessed into the tandem jump position. You will put your feet out on the step, grab the straps of your harness and then on the count of three fall forward. You will immediately go into an back arched position. We will fall approximately 30 seconds at a speed of 120 mph. At 6,000 feet you will pull the rip cord to deploy the parachute.” The excitement immediately begins to build. Kyla has become giddy, which she does when excited. I become quiet, which I do when doing something crazy like this.
3:20 PM we are suited up in a jump suite and harness for jump and I’m walking to the plane with my jump instructor, the videographer and another pair of tandem jumpers. My partner is Lucas, who is shorter than me (amazing I know), is pretty close to my age (if not older) and has been skydiving recreationally and competitively since 1973. He was calm and purposeful in his delivery of instruction and help as I got suited up and was very good as putting me at ease about the jump.
The planes used to haul us up is small – very small. One seat only for the pilot (who is also wearing a parachute) and barely enough room for the five jumpers to cram in as we position ourselves for the 20 minute climb.
I have heard it said “Why would anyone want to jump out of a perfectly good airplane?” In the case of this plane – that wasn’t an issue. Duct tape was used everywhere to plug small holes, or cover pieces of metal that were sticking out. The interior has been stripped of all amenities and it looks like it is barely able to get off the ground. But it does climb smoothly and we begin the noise climb to 10,500 feet.
There was little chatter on the way up. Primarily since the plane is extremely noisy. At 9,000 feet we all begin shifting positions. I turn around to face the front of the plane, and my jump instructor moves in to attach the four connectors that will tether us together. He makes a point to ensure I look at the ones on my shoulder to visually confirm they are hooked. I’m then asked to synch up the lower straps to really secure the two of together.
Finally the pilot announces we are at jump height, he levels the plane and slows it down. He then leans over and unlatches the door, which explodes open allowing the wind to begin rushing in with a force and noise that startled me.
The videographer slides out on the strut to capture my exit from the plane. I try to put my right foot out, but the wind is grabbing it and making that difficult. I instinctively grab the sides of the open door for support. On the video it looks like I’m struggling to hand on to the door posts, but in fact I was worried about falling out too soon and before I was suppose to. NEVER in this entire time did I ever think “I don’t want to do this”. It was always, I’m going to do this, but I want to do it as instructed. Lucas finally got my left hand on my strap and we were ready to leave the plane. Unfortunately the only thing I can hear is the sound of the wind rushing and plane engine. I can feel us rocking, so know it is close to jumping. The videographer lets go and then I feel myself leaning forward and leaving the small plane.
How do I describe the sensation I was experiencing. They told us there would be sensory overload and they were right. The sound of the wind was incredible. As we left the plane I felt myself do a slow summersault and then eventually leveled off and could see the ground. Once in the proper arched position I was able to get my bearings. I checked th altimeter strapped to my left wrist – 9,000 feet and dropping fast. I then look around and see the videograher swooping in for some close shots.
At this point we are in a free fall at about 120 mph. I think Lucas said some things to me. I have no idea if I was vocal or not. Normally I am not a screamer and from what I see in the video I don’t think I was screaming or vocalizing during the free fall.
One more check of the altimeter – almost 6,000 feet, get ready to pull the cord. I feel Lucas’s tap on my left wrist, which is the sign to pull the cord. I reach my right hand down, find the knob for cord (which is mercifully very large) and give it a pull.
I feel a slight tug as our decent is slowed and then everything goes totally quiet. The videographer has rocketed away like he was shot out of a canon. I can hardly see him anymore. At this point I said something like “Lucas, this is totally amazing!”.
For the next five minutes or so we drift through the sky. I now have more time to look around and enjoy he awesome view from this height. I’m given the controls of the parachute (although Lucas’s hands are never off them either) and instructed on how to some turns and then allowed to put us into some spins. That was the only time I felt my stomach do the rollover.
The ground is approaching and I’m given final landing instruction one last time. Finally touch down! The landing seemed to be a bit unstable. We landed on our bottoms (planned) and I ended up rolling over on Lucas (unplanned), but given how tightly we were tethered together that is probably not uncommon. As I get unstrapped and helped to my feet I’m thinking “I’ve done it! What an amazing experience. I want to do that again!”
I quickly ran to the hanger to grab my camera and get back to the drop zone so I could take some photos of Kyla’s landing. I hope those turn out. She had a smile on her face a mile wide and I could tell had TOTALLY enjoyed the experience.
And it was an incredible experience and I have the DVD to show for it. August 18 It's a Perfect Day!I woke this morning at 7:00 AM after a very restful and comfortable sleep. The morning is absolutely gorgeous. There is not a cloud in the sky, no wind at all and the temperatures are very comfortable. It is a perfect day to go skydiving!
I have a calm sense of anticipation surrounding me right now. I am VERY much looking forward to it and do not have the nervous anxiety I thought I might have. Maybe as I strap on the gear, get hooked up to my jump partner and step into the plane it will hit me. But right now I am ready to go.
Mind you I was this way when I did the “Xtreme Skyflyer” at Paramount’s Canada Wonderland. I remember being very calm as the gear was put on and even as they strapped us into the harness, laid us horizontal and dropped the platform away. It wasn’t until I was about half way up to the drop point that I began to feel the butter flies and thing “What am I doing”. I was nervous as I waited for David to pull the drop cord, then there was an extreme rush as we dropped and after that all I remember was the exhilaration of the ride and thinking “I want to do that again – right now!”
A friend of mine did this type of tandem skydive jump last year. He had a blast and I’m anticipating much of the same thing. He said there wasn’t the stomach dropping feeling like you on a roller coaster, when he stepped out of the plane. He described the sound of free falling as roar of wind, but then sudden quiet and calm after the parachute opens up.
This should be a hoot! And one of the best parts of this entire experience for me is that I get to do it with one of my daughters. I am a little surprised Kyla is doing this. She was always the timid one when it came to thrill rides. Even when we went to Disneyworld, when the girls were much younger, she was more hesitant about the rides than her sister. I remember going on the log ride for the first time and Kyla simply refused to go. Kristyn was all over the idea and we went, while Kyla stayed back. Then after we finished and Kyla saw how much fun her sister had, then she wanted to go on the ride. “Too late sweetheart – the line up is crazy long now and we won’t be doing this one again until tomorrow morning. If you want to go on a ride you do it when we all go”. After that she was a lot better, but still didn’t go on a few rides I thought she would enjoy. Yes, she has definitely grown up.
This post doesn’t have to be a novel. Just wanted to jot down some thoughts and feelings I’m having on the big day. It’s just about time to go pick up Kyla and if I hurry I can get grab a coffee and muffin on my way there. I will post about my experience, so until then “GERONIMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
August 17 Taking A PlungeLiterally I will take a plunge on Saturday. I am going skydiving with Kyla (my daughter) and I’m looking forward to it for two reason 1) I’ve wanted to do something like this since I was teenager and 2) I’m going to be able to spend the day with my daughter and do something totally out of our comfort zones.
The jump will be a tandem affair. This means I will be attached to a very experienced skydiving instructor. The website for the company we are going to use is http://www.skydivetoronto.com/ and they describe the experience as:
A mile long skydive on your first jump! After only an hour of training you will experience the thrill of a lifetime, freefalling for 35 seconds with a very experienced instructor connected to you.
Enjoy the incredible sensation of flying through the beautiful blue sky at 120 mph. Witness a panoramic view of the earth unlike ever before. Once the parachute is activated, the instructor will help you in steering it down to the ground. For approximately five minutes the two of you will both cruise around the sky making carving and sweeping turns with a huge parachute built for two. At five to ten feet above the ground, your instructor will help you to 'flare' (slow down) the parachute for landing.
A friend of mine did this last year and really enjoyed it. His description of the experience helped me make the decision that this would be a good idea. He talked of the amazing feeling of leaving the plane, of it not feeling like you dropping (unlike thrill rides where your stomach stays, while your body drops), then of the silence after the parachute opens and the wonderful sensation of drifting through the sky.
So when Kyla told me she was going to do the jump and that I could come and watch her I suddenly heard myself saying “I’ll do better than that, I’ll jump with you!” But I am looking forward to this. It should be very exciting experience.
The closest thing I’ve done to this would be the “Xtreme Skyflyer” at Paramont’s Canada Wonderland in Vaughn. See - http://www.pcwjunkies.com/pcw/flatrides/xtremesky.htm I did this with Kristyn for her 13th birthday and it was a blast. I can only imagine the thrill and sensation of dropping through the sky for 30 seconds.
I’m going to pay the big bucks and get a DVD produced of the jump. That way I can relive the event over and over, since I don’t know if I will ever do this again. Mind you if I go SPLAT I definitely won’t be doing it again. (Oh I’m going to catch hell from Stacey, her mom and my mom for that bad joke!).
I’ll definitely be posting when I return to let you know how things went. So until I return, let your spirit soar! August 02 Damn Sentiment!I get sentimental at times. For someone who has spent most of his life keeping emotions and sentiment in check, this is often a disconcerting feeling. However, I have learnt to accept that I am not Vulcan and as a human will have these feelings. The last two times these emotional waves have come over me have had very different feelings associated with them.
The first happened last week as I drove to help Stacey work on props for the upcoming TOROS production of Seussical. As I drove down the highway, alone in the vehicle and in my thoughts, I was struck with a sense of just how lucky I am and left wondering if I was dreaming. Stacey is the best thing to happen to me since the birth of my daughters. She accepts me for who (and what) I am. She laughs at my foolish little behaviours, she makes me feel worthy and of importance. Those thoughts almost overwhelmed me as I drove and I could feel every nerve ending in my body come alive as emotions and feelings streamed through my body. It must be love!
I thought about how quickly we fell in love, how quickly we both knew we were right for each other and decided we would be married.
But then, almost to sabotage the good feelings my mind drifts to the thought, “what have I done to deserve this? Am I dreaming and will I wake up to find myself lonely again?” What is it about insecure people and our inability to allow ourselves to be happy? I know Stacey loves me and is looking forward to being married as much as I am (maybe more!), so to have these thoughts is ridiculous. But they are there. Fortunately they don’t last long. AND in the case of Stacey I can actually talk to her about those feelings and she LISTENS – wow what a change!
Then today, as I drove home from work, my thoughts drifted, as they often do, to my daughters Unfortunately the sentiment I felt today was of regret and emptiness. I so miss them. The idea that I will probably never live in the same community as them again made me very sad. Then I thought about how circumstances yanked me out of their lives all too soon. Both girls basically moved out on their own when they were 18. I’m proud of them for showing the responsibility and maturity, but oh so regret not being in a position to have them living in my home while they attended school and then being in the same community as they begin careers and start families.
I stopped living with Kristyn when she was 16. I feel like I have been cheated out of being part of her life and that I let her down by not being around for her. I miss her so much and so want to be part of her life.
I have drawn much closer to Kyla in the last two years. Since she lives in Toronto that is a lot easier. As a matter of fact on August 18, Kyla and I will be going skydiving together and I am really looking forward to this event. It should be a blast!
Fortunately I also have wonderful feelings of pride towards these two lovely young ladies. They are strong, independent, honest and hardworking. I can be a proud father and look at a very positive legacy I will be leaving. And at some point you have to let go and let them venture out on their own. I just wish it hadn’t been so soon.
Life is definitely interesting! It amazes me that I can feel so damn good about life and relations and yet still feel as though I’m missing something extraordinary. I’d need years on a couch to figure that one out. July 28 Weekly UpdateOK, so now that I have a lovely lady in my life, it has become a lot busier and more fulfilling. I’m not sure if I need to be depressed to be motivated to write, but as I have written before, I’m so darn happy right now I just don’t feel the need to write. So maybe I will try with a weekly update and if something comes up that raises my ire I’ll write about it. For now, here the week that was…..
Last Saturday I had the wonderful opportunity to be “The Race Announcer” for the dragon boat festival. Basically I provided the banter to inform people of what was happening. I have been BLOWN AWAY by the positive response people have given me to the work I did. Apparently now for as long I’m in North Bay I will be the voice of the dragon boat festival – that according to the chairperson. I was also asked if I could announce a canoe regatta coming up on the Aug. long weekend. Alas, I am busy helping Stacey with TOROS stuff that weekend (the production moves into the Capital Centre in preparation for the run).
And with that show…..I use to think Pastor Don had a tough time keeping all of 70+ adults focused and corralled when we rehearsed the Christmas and Easter productions with Kings Valley Wesleyan Church in Quispamsis. But this past week I helped Stacey with props and was able to watch the rehearsals for TOROS (Theatre Out Reach On Stage). This is a school sponsored summer musical production and the performers are young people between the ages of 14 – 24. Talk about talent – WOW! The performance will be magnificent no doubt. The set design and props are of a professional quality (and I’m not saying that because my future father-in-law and fiancé are building them). Now to say these kids can’t stay focused, would be an understatement. Give them any sort of break and the conversation volume rockets up the decibel chart. If they are not actually part of the rehearsal scene, then mischief they will be up to. I don’t know how the directors and choreographers keep sane!
Since making the decision to keep my motorcycle I have ridden it to work four out of five days this past week. I was amazed at the words of support I got from all sides; my fiancé, my future mother-in-law (who hates bikes), Kyla and my mother. All seem to be happy I am keeping a part of me that helps keep me young.
Last night we went to see the CHALLENGE production of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat”. Challenge is the Catholic School programs equivalent to TOROS. It was a great production and I really enjoyed it. Although seeing a musical always makes me sad that I can’t sing worth a damn, cause I would love to be on stage belting out some of those tunes. I have been gifted with a power and flexible voice, but I can’t carry a tune in a bucket! Oh well I can’t have everything.
Today I helped my renter move out of my basement apartment. With the change in my life status, and Stacey and Bethany planning on moving into the house shortly, Pat decided it was time to move on. Her daughter and son also bought a house where she can live and help look after her very adorable grandson. I’m sorry to see Pat leave, but understand the reasons and with the extra people in the house, I will need the space. It just confirms that the only constant in life is change.
That pretty much wraps up my week. Enjoyable, informative and busy! I’m looking forward to this week!
Take care and enjoy! July 22 I've Changed My MindAm I allowed to do that? I mean as a male, maybe I’m not allowed to change my mind. I know woman can (and do) change their minds regularly. At least that is what I am led to believe from many of the comics I watch on “Just for laughs”.
Before anyone gets worried here, I have not changed my mind about getting married. I’m still looking forward to marrying a most wonderful women. AND I have not changed my mind that too much emphasis and expense is put into the wedding ceremony and reception, but I’ll put my tight ass attitude aside and enjoy the ride.
No I have changed my mind on selling my motorcycle. I have decided to not sell the bike for now (I’ll have to figure out how to pay for the engagement ring another way
 .)I was out cleaning my bike today, getting it ready for a potential buyer, when the feeling of selling it left me. Then I decided to take the bike the bike for a run. I haven’t been out on it for almost a month and since it is a wicked hot day in North Bay, I decided a short run was in order. Now I won’t tell you just how fast I was going up the freeway (it was well over the speed limit and faster than I’ve ridden before), but it was wonderful, even if only for a very short burst of adrenaline. A burst of power and speed were enough to solidify my decision to keep the bike.
I may not ride it as much as I expected, but the times when I do will be great. I will also be making an extra effort to meet people to ride with. And besides I promised to give Stacey’s Maid of Honour a ride on the bike and it would not be right to sell the silly thing before I did that.
I’m also sorry for not posting here as much. I’m suffering from both a lack of motivation to right and lack of interesting ideas. I suspect the euphoria I am feeling over being in love and engaged is having an impact on that. Oh, well I am just going to have to find a way to channel that happiness I feel into writing and not just the negative crap I was feeling before I met Stacey.
Enough of this though – I’m off to enjoy the fire pit this evening. It is the first time in several weeks that the weather has been nice enough and I haven’t been busy – so I’m going to enjoy it.
Till later…… July 03 Road Trip“At least I’m travelling in the opposite direction!”
That is about all I could I think of as we cruised down Highway 11 screaming towards Highway 400 and our destination in Cambridge, Ontario. I knew the traffic coming out of Toronto was going to be crazy, but it never ceases to amaze me.
North Bay is just over 3 hours north of Toronto. All but 40 kilomteres of this road is divided highway. Good thing cause the traffic was crazy busy heading north as soon as we began our drive. And, you guessed it, the closer we got to “cottage country” the busier it became. By the time we got through Gravenhurst and Orillia it was building to bumper to bumper and crawling as those poor saps from the GTA scrambled to get out the city for the long weekend. At Barrie highway 11 joins with Highway 400 and becomes three lanes of madness! Usually you will be passed even if you are travelling at 120 kilometres per hour. Heading north on Friday it was three lanes, bumper to bumper and not moving terrible fast.
Fortunately traffic heading south was smooth sailing and not all that heavy. I was able to travel at 120 for the entire trip.
Just south of Barrie and well before Toronto we took a back route to Cambridge and I saw some lovely countryside that I had not seen before. Lots of lush green fields, farm and ranch land with lots of rolling hills. A very pleasant drive for a Friday evening.
I enjoyed the time we spent in Cambridge. I got to see the venue where the wedding will be held next year. A lovely property, where we will have an outdoor ceremony, pictures and reception – all at one location. The driveway of this house is at least a quarter of a kilometre long and will be able to hold plenty of cars.
I got to meet several of Stacey’s closets relatives and had a great time with all of them. By all accounts I’ve passed “the test”. That line makes a good joke since I never felt I was being scrutinized at all. I was welcomed and accepted in the most friendly of manners.
Monday we picked up Kyla and one of her roommates in Waterloo and headed back into Toronto. A quick lunch, a tour of Kyla’s apartment complex and we were on the road north.
“At least I’m travelling in the opposite direction!”
This time the traffic heading into Toronto was ridiculously busy. Even heavier than when we drove down Friday night. And it didn’t lighten up at all. It alternated between crawling slowing (idling) to at least moving, but not much more than that. Just north of Barrie the 400 and Highway 11 meet and at the merge point, as far as I could see up both of the divided highways there were two lanes of solid traffic (four in total) emptying into a three lane highway. Yeah things were getting really backed up.
I hope that for all the travelling I will be doing this summer, I’ll be able to avoid that kind of traffic. I’ve got at least two more trips to Cambridge and at least one to Toronto before the end of August. Good thing I have a comfortable vehicle to drive in. June 26 Luckiest Man In The WorldI feel like the luckiest man in the world. If I can do it, anyone can. Don’t give up hope, it could happen to you!
All three statements are wonderful platitudes. You hear them often, but don’t look at what drives those statements to be made. In my case it is love that helps me make these statements.
My love for Stacey has been growing with each passing day and week. I keep waiting for the “honeymoon” to be over, but it is showing no signs of that. True we are still very new in our relationship and only announce our engagement a few short weeks ago, but the bond that is developing between us makes me feel like I’ve been with this lady for a lot longer.
And we are so comfortable together, even to the point where we are thinking the same things at the same time.
Here is an example. I purchased the new CD from a wonderful singer that leads worship at the Church I attended in Quispamsis. It is called “Everything” by “The Kelly Jay Band”. Pick it up if you get a chance. It’s very good. (www.kellyjay.ca)
Last night when Stacey came over to my house I put the new CD on and we listened as we cuddled on the couch talking about wedding plans and plans for the weekend.
One of the songs particularly caught my attention and I began listening more attentively. Without being too cheesy, the song spoke to me and I immediately thought “this could be our wedding song”.
My next thought was “I wonder if I have to get Kelly’s permission to use it?” At exactly that moment, Stacey turned to me and said “Honey, I think this could be the first song at our wedding.”
I was so amazed that we came to the same conclusion at the same moment that I chuckled out loud and told Stacey that was exactly what I was thinking. I found out later that chuckling was not the best response, since Stacey thought I was mocking her. Fortunately I had quickly clarified that I was totally in support of using the song.
Stacey and I talked about finding “our song” and since we have not been together too long it might be difficult. But now we have “our song” and I’ve listened to it at least a half dozen times since last night and feel like it was written for Stacey and I. The words and sentiments are a perfect expression of our love and life together. I know Kelly didn’t write it for us, but that is the beauty of music; it can speak to everyone, while at the same time being very personal.
Also last Sunday we had some engagement photos taken. I know I’m too close to things, but I think they are beautiful. Right now we only have a few of them that were sent as a teaser. The full disc will show up soon. Every time I look at the photos, and that is very often, I can’t help but feel that I am the luckiest man in the world and I am amazed that I could find a love that so is true and powerful. Below are two of the photos I speak of.
Till later – I hope you have or will find the love you deserve.
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