The year we were first together, we went to the March On Washington. God, we were so young. I remember being politically active... protesting at City Hall when I was in college, marching for my rights, being part of the mass wedding protest. At that age, we didn't realize that by just living our lives openly we would accomplish more than any amount of marching ever would. I mean... you can hate those strange gays on TV and in the news, but it's hard to keep that same hate and fear when you see your gay neighbor doing the same things you do. Simple things like going to parent teacher conferences, mowing the yard, playing with the dogs, remodeling the house, taking a casserole to a sick friend... these acts become political just because they show how very NOT different we really are.
One year, we had a long weekend and just decided to throw the dog in the car and take off for the coast. We started at Ocracoke and drove all the way to Kill Devil Hills. It was one of the best vacations ever. We didn't do much of anything, except stop to see the sights. We bought a tshirt from each town we went through, took lots of pictures and just relaxed.
Another year, we went to Wilmington in the winter. The beach was deserted. The hotel had a kitchen in each room, so we hung out on the beach, collected shells and ate dinner in the room. I remember bouncing on the bed because I was so excited to be away with my sweetie where there were no crowds.
We took a weekend trip to Brevard and took the scenic route home. That trip was when we found the garnet at the gemstone mine that we had cut and my wife had made into the necklace I wear every day.
We drove to Charleston on the spur of the moment once in the summer (bad idea... summer here is hot, but Charleston is Damn Hot!) and discovered a little place called Stickey Fingers. For years, we would decide we needed ribs and would make the 4 hour drive to Charleston just to have dinner. Now they have them all over... but the best one is still in Charleston.
We always drove to NY to see Ryan in the summer, and we learned that all along the way, there are caverns. We have seen every cavern between here and LI at least once. And if you are driving through Virginia and see the sign for Johnny Appleseed's restaurant... Stop and have the apple fritters. They rock.
We went to Hershey once and toured the factory. That same trip, we stopped at Gettysburg, which is quite sobering. Michele loves the civil war sites. Myself, I find them sad and frustrating. War is so wasteful.
We have gone out on New Years three times. Once we went out just by ourselves. I look at the picture and can't believe that skinny girl in the long back dress is me... but it is. The next two times were when we went out with our dance friends. That was a great time. We danced and laughed and ate good food.
We have had two parties at our house. One was our ten year anniversary, which was also the year after we bought the house. We just opened the gate, fired up two grills and had a party with everyone who showed up.There were kids everywhere with squirt guns, the hose, the kiddie pool. Everyone ended up wet, but Michele got the worst of it. The next was a fourth of july party. That one ended when the neighbors dog ate through the fence.
I have taken Michele to see exactly one Opera. She said... " Oh... thats from Bugs Bunny." and then she slept through the rest of it. Well... at least she tried for me.
I could sit and write all day about my memories with my wife, but I won't. I will say though that I love thinking back over the years and saying "Hey Honey... you remember that time when..." and then just enjoying the memories together. The happiest moments of my life have been in the last twenty years, and I can't wait to make more.
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