radical ramblings and thoughts of a southern girl: The dynamic duo: Big Daddy and Sexy Hot Mama (post for July 31, 20011)

“This kind of certainty comes but once in a lifetime.”

from The Bridges of Madison County

Our story began like many stories begin---well not really because nothing is ever “normal” with Big Daddy as you all know by now. I had hit the ripe old age of 30 and so had Big Daddy. I’d been through two traumatic breakups prior to this and I’d convinced myself that the life of a single woman was the life for me. I had a career, supported myself, traveled and was basically pretty content.

Then it happened….

on my way to meet the student I was tutoring in Operation Read, I stopped inside a local gas/food mart called “Super America” to get non other than another Diet Pepsi. When I went in…..there he was…a loud man dressed in shirt and tie and wingtips, singing Bee Gee’s hits over the microphone that allowed him to talk to the people purchasing gas. I heard him, before I saw him actually. I felt an immediate attraction to him---something pulled at my heart strings---I almost knew immediately that there was something special between the two of us. We chatted a bit and then I gave him a positive card that I kept in my purse to hand out to folks randomly about living an authentic life.

I found reasons to go back for more diet Pepsi and every time I did….Mr. Microphone would be preforming and flirting with anyone who walked by…I watched him and my attraction grew. I wanted to know what caused this man to be so happy. One day I started praying for him…I actually wrote a note and put in my journal…praying for Superamerica man. Finally one day, I asked what his last name might be. He told me and I went home to check out the phone book…..oh my there were eighteen people with his same name.

One night..

I got my nerve up. I went in…stood in line….and waited. It was busy and people were everywhere but I knew I had nothing to lose and perhaps…I had everything to gain. With a line of people behind me…I did it….I actually said, “there are eighteen of you in the book, I want to call you can I have your phone number.” He pulled off a cash register receipt, jotted down his number and asked for mine. I gave him two days to call me and when he didn’t….I picked the phone up and dialed the number…..he answered…I asked him to dinner and the rest of our love story was to follow.

Our first date: Olive Garden and the movie Wayne’s World….I lucked out though…Big Daddy footed the bill. Fast forward a year later on Valentines Day and Big Daddy pops the question kneeling in the midst of peanut shells at a steak house. Since I don’t care for diamonds…no they are not my best friend…he gave me a big red ring pop for an engagement ring. We had mine made a few months later.

Fast forward…..July 31st, 1993 and I married my wild and wacky and funny and annoying Big Daddy. At the reception Big Daddy pulled a pair of Victoria’s secret underwear from out of his sleeve when he went to pull the garter off…..

Fast forward 18 years and I must admit…we are quite the dynamic duo. Over the years, we have laughed together and cried together. We have created the wonderful “off color” family where life is always an adventure into the unknown. We have put a lot of hard work into our marriage. He is my best friend, my lover, my soul-mate and my greatest cheerleader. He helps me live into my fullest potential every day. Life has not always been easy for us…we often say…we’ve been to Hell and Back…but the truth is…there is no other person I’d rather lie down to sleep with every night and no other person I’d want to wake up next to…

Big Daddy is the co-leader of outrageous family.

So Big Daddy…

I will love you……forever and ever…

Happy Eighteenth Anniversary….

love always….

Your Sexy Hot Mama

P.S. I hope you start eating healthier and stop smoking so we can have many more…

(which reminds me….one day I’ll tell you about the time Smokey Bear had to give Big Daddy some fire safety lessons)

I am thankful today for my dynamic partner

Big Daddy