On August 18, 2002, I met my destiny in the backyard of a nice home in Brookfield, Wisconsin. It took the form of an amazingly beautiful woman who wanted someone to smoke with. When we parted ways that day, I had no choice but to hug this relative stranger with whom I shared 15 minutes. Somehow, what should have been a completely random and innocuous encounter became my future. My beautiful, intelligent and hilarious future. That was the most important day of my life.
Now, 4 years later, after several arguments and a few tears and tons of laughter, we are married and live in a great little home in Sheboygan Falls, Wisconsin. We have a cat named Shimmy who is missing one of her important teeth. We have neighbors who welcomed us into their tightly-knit world like we were already part of their family. And, best of all, we have a beautiful son. His name is Joseph James.
On September 21, 2006, I had the honor and privilege to stand by my wife and witness the absolute miracle that was the birth of our son. Just as amazing was being able to see how truly strong my wife could be. I always knew she was a determined and strong-willed person, but to be with her for those trying hours, to look in her eyes, was to be a part of something tremendous. Something that I will forever carry with me. At one point, as she was lying on the bed (before the pushing), she looked up at me with those huge and amazing eyes. I saw fear, but felt a wave of love like I’d never, ever experienced. I wanted to stay there, protecting her, forever.
Now, we are a family. We were before, mind you, but the Gift that is Joseph James has made us whole. And this woman – this amazingly strong, intelligent, pretty, beautiful, often hilarious, caring woman – is my very best friend. And to see her with our boy is to see what she was meant to be: The most important woman in the lives of two people named Joseph who will forever need her and love her more than anything.
And I thank The Powers That Be every day that we had that God-Blessed cigarette.
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2 comments:
What the hey? My comment seems to have disappeared!
I will repeat . . . I, too, (as much as I don't like cigarettes) bless THAT one!
Ditto, my comment was gone, so in case you didn't get to read it this is what I said.....
That was beautiful Joe. I love both of you seperately, but more importantly together. I love watching you guys be the family that you are.
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