Drew,
So here’s an example of why I keep everything! Look at the treasure I just found while simplifying my memory box/drawers/files/don’t judge. A long time ago, when I was at a dive bar drinking beer with a friend (aka “ITeachFirstGrade”), we both scribbled on napkins what we were looking for in our future spouses. The date was 8/20/05 and mine of course was gender neutral.
Demands:
Makes me laugh, Can communicate effectively, Confident but not cocky, Motivated career-wise, Observant, Clever, Generous, Active/adventurous/athletic, Likes the outdoors, “Gets me”…appreciates my music, Health-minded, Spontaneous
Not that I’m surprised, because I kind of like you most of the time, but you checked 100% of the boxes for my demands in my future spouse circa eight years ago! I can say that my tastes haven’t changed too much in eight years, these are still things that I appreciate about you. I have to laugh at the “confident, but not cocky” trait…we do toe that line occasionally, no? You regularly exceed my expectations in your ability to make me laugh, to communicate, and to give generously. The fact that you tolerate my music is a huge plus! I don’t take for granted the number of concerts I’ve dragged you to for artists that I “love”. I’m getting off topic, the point is, music = “love” for me, and you get that!
Wish-list:
Left-handed, Compatible dog with Tejas, Big family, Personifies things and animals, Advanced education
The left-handed thing was random, no? Good thing that wasn’t a demand or we’d have to call the whole thing off! You didn’t have a dog at all when we met, but you have certainly loved Tejas unconditionally, which was one of the first things that endeared you to me. You have a big family, not Greek big, but bigger than mine. In other words, I have a brother, a sister, a sister-in-law, and a nephew because of you! You’ve also rocked the education piece – you have more degrees than me! And finally, I hit the jackpot on personifying things and animals, right? Hours of free entertainment there! In reality, I remember wanting to put that in the ‘demands’ column, but I didn’t want to rule out someone because they couldn’t do that…or because they thought it was silly. So really, that was on the ‘wish-list’, but it was a big wish, nearly a deal-breaker! I’m glad we can be silly together.
So I’ll close with this final thought, because it helps explain where I came from and where I am now. I used to keep so many memory-related things to signify the life I was living. Scrapbooks, pictures, ticket stubs, playbills, and songs were my guideposts. But those things hold less significance for me than they once did, because you now signify the life I live. You have become my guidepost.
Love, me
Since you have been harping on me to post a comment, your birthday is a perfect time for me to do that! Love ya. I am so lucky to have you and tejas in my life. You have the ability to challenge me and keep me on my toes and i appreciate that about you as well as everything else that makes me smile when i look at you. Have a fabulous birthday and i look forward to many more with you.