My slugbutt has not been out running, wogging, or even walking lately.  I don’t know who decided to leave the refrigerator door open, but it’s a tad chilly outside.   I need to get some oomph in me and maybe get out the door, but that maybe will not be today.

I woke up and it’s Thursday…hallelujah!  Hello Friday Eve!

I had a fabulous week celebrating 14 years married to my hunka hunka and 15 years together.  Time really does fly when you’re having fun.

People often ask how I met that handsome man of mine.  Do I have a story for you?!  Don’t get too excited now…it’s good, but it may be not be over the top for you.

I was friends with one of the cardiologists where I worked many moons ago.  At the time I was running and powerlifting.   He thought I would enjoy attending a women’s self-defense seminar.  Being from Kentucky, I kinda have this “whatever it takes” attitude.   I was unavailable at the scheduled seminar., so I regretfully declined the invite.  (My happy butt was with my two brothers at the Hank, Jr. and Montgomery Gentry concert out of state.)

It was about a month later when another invite came.  On September 27, I marched into this seminar unknowing of how much my life would change.   I had the best time learning techniques because I went there to learn, not to meet anyone.

The following week I went to Atlanta with friends to watch the Cubs in the playoffs.  Prior to smart phones, I came back to an email,  after dialing up on the super loud modem, from the instructor of the seminar inviting me to attend his advanced kempo classes.  What the hell is kempo?  I googled, well, maybe it was a Yahoo search at the time, and became fascinated.  I’ll give it a whirl.  This instructor said I would greatly benefit from this class.   Little did I know he just wanted to see me again.  I do want to point out that this instructor stated he saw a spark of self-defense in me I didn’t know I had.  Or was that a spark in his eye for me….the jury is still out with that one.

Since I didn’t live in the same state, my sweet daddy rode with me over to this class.  He didn’t want me driving alone at night.   I’m spoiled, what can I say?  Plus I needed him to listen to the Cubs games in the car to give me updates when I was done.   A week after my first classes, this instructor asked me out on a date.    How do I respond to that?  I asked a coworker how to let him down gently.  And I did.  The toughest part was facing him the next week in class.  I held my breath until he smiled and waved.  Whew.  He doesn’t hate me.   Another week goes by and I’m thinking…hmm…did I miss out?   Everything was cordial and very respectful in class, but there was something drawing me to him.

I told my coworker if he asks me out again, I’m not going to let that moment pass me by.   I just hoped I didn’t miss my window of opportunity.

Needless to say, October 17 was our first date and we have been together ever since.  My hunka hunka was positive he was going to marry me.  He knew better than me.  I think back often to that initial invite from the cardiologist and wonder if this was a setup from the get go.  If so, thank you, Doctor!

No relationship is a fairy tale, but ours is pretty darn close.  We have literally traveled the world together.  We have stood side by side teaching martial arts to non-English speaking individuals.  We have seen so many sights of the world I never dreamed I would have the opportunities to see otherwise. We are the true Yin Yang in balancing each other.  He’s the reserved, quiet one; I’m the loud, goofy one.  He’s the driver; I’m the navigator.  We have had people stop and ask us how we do it because we always look so in love.  (We have everyone fooled.  Haha.  I crack myself up.)  Seriously, there’s no secret.  I’m so much more in love with him than I was the day we married.  I’m not perfect.  I make mistakes, but together we make it work for us.  You have to find what works for you.  Don’t give up on each other so easily.  Marriage is teamwork.  You fight for what you want.  It’s not all roses. It’s work…hard work.  Some days you may not like each other, but that’s marriage.  We are like two rams headbutting.  We are both strong-willed and stubborn.  Always respect you are two individuals.  You will not always agree or have the same opinions, and you shouldn’t. However, you should find a medium…’agree to disagree’ compromise…and let the guy win an argument every now and then.  Most importantly, don’t forget to have fun!

Nobody has supported me through all the good, but especially the bad, as my hunka hunka.  That’s what marriage is all about.  Success in marriage is a team effort.  He and I make a pretty good team, if I do say so myself.   When you look back on life, think about the one who is always there.  That’s the one on which you will always depend.

I cannot imagine my life without my hunka hunka.  We saw “A Star is Born” for our anniversary.  What a movie!  Whew.  Someone better be getting an Oscar out of that film.   Lady Gaga sang many beautiful songs in the film, but a line of one song stood out above them all.  “When you look at me..and the whole world fades..I’ll always remember us this way.”