Man of the Month

Having hit the big 4-0 last year, I've realized that I'm mature enough and comfortable enough to admit that there are certain men on this planet that...well...I don't think I really need to explain. I've decided that I will try to find a different man to "highlight" once a month. These will most likely be "celebrity" men who most people are familiar with. Granted, they will not all generate the same response from everyone....different strokes for different folks, but, I'm willing to accept the strange looks for what might be a strange choice.

However....

I couldn't start such a list without starting with the Man of 26 Years!! Nort and I just celebrated our 19th anniversary back in November.

(Note: "Celebrate" is a relative word. There was no dinner out - unless it was McDonald's or Hooters; there were no flowers - just as well, why waste money on something that's just going to die anyway; there was no surprise gifts - we spent that money on a new Sleep Number bed a few months prior; there were cards exchanged. We are both comfortable with this arrangement. Perhaps for the 20th anniversary this year we'll do something a little more "celebratory"!)

26 years...that's a really long time when you think about it. We started dating my freshman year of high school (he was a sophomore) at homecoming. The guy I was "going out with" assumed I was going to go to the dance with him so didn't actually bother to ASK me to the dance. Nort asked and I accepted. That was 15 Oct 1982.

I don't think parents or friends really count on anything lasting that starts when you're a freshman in high school. For some reason, we did. We've had lots of good times, and lots of stressful times (I won't call them "bad"). Every relationship does. We've made it through.

If someone asked what the key to a long relationship is, I wouldn't have a good answer. I guess I'd have to say that you have to just let some things go. Pick your battles. You can't stress over every little incident for more than a few hours. People say you shouldn't go to bed angry; I don't know if I agree with that. I DO think you shouldn't go bed angry 2 nights in a row. Get over yourself and press on.

I'm happy...I'm pretty sure Nort's happy.

He's my Man and he's my first "Man of the Month".