Tired And Wired

Kevin doesn't really like The National, but I'm dedicating this song to him today anyway.
You are so disarming, darling.

If there is such a thing as a golden anniversary, like a golden birthday, today is the day. I think I'm actually supposed to get you something iron. Or perhaps I'm supposed to iron for you.


A DOZEN YEAR FLASHBACK.

July 1997. Eye vs flying metal object. Round one is won by FMO, but ultimately right eye reigns supreme. You came to Milwaukee to tell me that you liked me. Really, really liked me. Outside the public museum. Silly kids. They'll never last the summer.

July 1998. Done flying back and forth from MSP to DIA. Driving your Tercel from 411 to Shakopee in one million degree heat with no air and black vinyl seats. I bet that thing got great gas mileage.

July 1999. At the Belmont with MG. In Europe with no money. At a wedding with Sinatra. Done breaking up.

July 2000. You took me to Taylor's Falls to tell me that you liked me. Really, really liked me. Worth a scavenger hunt and a ring. Roger Waters with James. Shine On. Alpine road trip with the entire cast of the Grand House (and supporting players). Speedy UFOs. Hippies in corn fields. Run like an antelope.

July 2001. Living in the farmhouse. Despising Endres. Fearing apocalypse at nearby Koch Refinery. Wilson joins the family. Is an excellent mouser. Lord, we have mice.

July 2002. The big day. The Mr. and the Mrs. The honeymoon on the island. Home early to the itty bitty apartment. Just because.

July 2003. Back to school for me. To the temp job for you. (thank you). Our first anniversary at Giant City State Park. Came home to watch the rain from our deck. Had too much wine and forgot to eat our wedding cake. Distracted by the rainbow.

July 2004. Still in school. Still at the temp job. Rocking Chicagoland with Ely Sound. Chasing Trey and company to Vegas and back in a rental car without missing a class. OK, maybe a couple.

July 2005. Back in Uptown. Back to school for you soon. Finally. Dinner on a rooftop, talking about having kids. Not. Had too much wine and...

July 2006. Living Mushaboom*. Cloning you. Summer and a newborn. Never thought it could be this hard. New jobs for both of us. Not jobs. Careers. Really, never thought it could be this hard. Hope we make it through.

July 2007. New house. New state. About to clone me. A rained out, then successful picnic with R & L (and baby I). Fireworks from the deck, followed by a horrible eighties cover band. Should have gone to the tractor pull.

July 2008. Same house. Same jobs. Same kids. Same cars, even. Getting older, wiser. Ever so. Or at least more predictable. More efficient at packing diaper bags. Less fatigued. Ever so. I think we'll make it through.


*I got a man to stick it out.