AUTHOR: Marty, a.k.a. canape TITLE: More than Diet Coke is a whole lot DATE: 7/24/2007 09:00:00 AM ----- BODY:

It would be nice to say that I am a person who likes to plan. That I like to know what to expect in life. It would be not as nice to say that I am a control freak. That I like to know that circumstances won't surprise me.

There is one time in my life that I can say I let go. I let the unexpected in, trusted someone else, and never looked back. It is the best decision I ever made.

Two years ago, there was a man I knew I like hanging out with. A man who made me laugh. A man who was a musician on the side. A man whose real job I couldn't even explain at the time. He was a good guy. He was a better guy than the other guys I was seeing, but he had baggage. And he was older than me. By about a decade.

One night, we sat in his car after a casual dinner of comparing divorce notes, lawyer fees, the prospect of dating again, and life upheaval in general, he turns to me and says,

"I want to tell you something, and it will mean that you will either never want to see me again, or quite the opposite. I think we would be good together."

What did you say?

"I think that we would be good together, and I want to see it happen. I want to be with you."

There was no real conversation. I stared out the window in complete disbelief while he went on about the life he saw us having together until he finally said,

"You are scaring me with your silence. Have I made a really bad mistake here?"

I don't have anything to offer you. I'm young, all I have is a house, a low paying job, and a bunch of dogs. You don't want me.

And then he began to list my assets. None of which were financial. And none of which had to do with my boobs. It is a list that I hold dear to my heart and have never shared with anyone. The list feels like little secrets about me that only he saw, and that only he made me see about myself.

And I knew that I loved him.

And a year later I married him.

And a year after that I'm even more sure than ever that it is miracle we found each other, and that he is a gift to me. He restores my faith.

Happy anniversary, Schmoopinator. I love you more than Diet Coke.

July 24, 2006

Labels: Gratitude, Guy and Me

----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Mamma DATE:Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 10:20:00 AM EDT That is wonderful!

You love diet coke almost as much as I do!

Oh and so cute about you and Guy....hehehehe.

He sounds AMAZING.

I can't wait to meet you in person!!!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Candygirlflies DATE:Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 10:39:00 AM EDT Happy anniversary!!!

Don'tcha just LOVE happy endings??! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Oh, The Joys DATE:Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 10:44:00 AM EDT Happy Anniversary!!

xo,
OTJ ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Jennifer, Playgroups Are No Place For Children DATE:Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 11:01:00 AM EDT Happy anniversary to you! He does sound better than Diet Coke, you lucky girl, you! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Jenn DATE:Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 11:07:00 AM EDT I have goosebumps. And tears.

How completely wonderful that you found each other and dove back headfirst into that ocean of love.

I didn't know you could feel this much happiness for someone you've never met, but still, I do.

Congrats. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Perugini DATE:Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 12:36:00 PM EDT AWWWWWWWWWWWW. How nice is that. Congrats to you and your big dog. Better than diet coke is HUGE! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Ally DATE:Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 1:56:00 PM EDT What a beautiful story. And all the better because it is true! I love that Guy just came out and said it. And that you didn't run away.

Congratulations to you both. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Anonymous DATE:Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 3:13:00 PM EDT What a beatiful post. So poetic, it reminds me of what's good in my life. I ate a fortune cookie today and inside the slip read: Stop searching forever. Happiness is just next to you. Sounds like you already know that.
Cheers, Margaret ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Cathy DATE:Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 5:00:00 PM EDT Happy anniversary! And what a great story. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Stimey DATE:Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 5:39:00 PM EDT That's so lovely. Happy Anniversary. I like hearing stories like this. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Anonymous DATE:Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 7:57:00 PM EDT Happy anniversary to youuuuu,
Happy anniversary to youuuuu,
Happy anniversary, Guy and Canapeeeeeeeee,
Happy anniversary to youuuu.

Bach ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

katy DATE:Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 8:06:00 PM EDT This is so sweet, as is diet coke. I posted today a little story about my honeymoon because my 22nd wedding anniversary is coming up in a month. That wouldn't sound so weird if I weren't just 30 years old...or something like that. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Patience DATE:Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 9:02:00 PM EDT Awwww! What a nice tribute! (Is his name really Schmoopinator??) My husband is more than a decade older than me, but he is a young soul! I adore him!!

Happy, happy anniversary! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

FENICLE DATE:Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 9:27:00 PM EDT How sweet! What a statement too...more than Diet Coke? WOW!!! Now that is love. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Liz DATE:Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 10:18:00 PM EDT made.
me.
cry!

happy anniversary!

[are you wearing birkenstocks in that wedding photo?]

tell me that cake was every bit as delicious as it looks. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

slouchy DATE:Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 10:19:00 PM EDT That's so incredibly sweet.

Happy Anniversary. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Kevin Charnas DATE:Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at 10:55:00 PM EDT HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

THAT'S FANTASTIC NEWS! And a beautiful post...truly.

You're so lucky to have each other... :)

And I love that pic. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

gwen DATE:Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at 4:30:00 AM EDT Happy Anniversary. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Bubblewench DATE:Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at 7:54:00 AM EDT Oh how sweet and loving! Happy Anniversary! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

gail DATE:Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at 9:01:00 AM EDT Happy Anniversary!!!! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Clifford DATE:Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at 10:51:00 AM EDT Don't look now, but I think you let your canoe get away.

Glad that Life worked out for you, girlfriend. :) ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Tina Girl DATE:Wednesday, July 25, 2007 at 1:47:00 PM EDT Happy Anniversary to you guys! I love your blog... it rocks! I would have to rank my hubby above Chocolate though since soda doesn't "ring my bell" persay. LOL.

Could you send me the tag that would link my page to WhyMommy? I sure would appreciate it!

I love happy endings too. ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Tiffany DATE:Thursday, July 26, 2007 at 12:54:00 PM EDT What a sweet post! Congrats and Happy Anniversary! ----- COMMENT: AUTHOR:

Fancy Pants DATE:Friday, July 27, 2007 at 10:24:00 PM EDT 23 and ME. I am also glad that we got married. Signed, The Shamoopinator. ----- --------