Finders, Keepers. Part One
“The bottom line is that (a) people are never perfect, but love can be, (b) that is the one and only way that the mediocre and vile can be transformed, and (c) doing that makes it that. We waste time looking for the perfect lover, instead of creating the perfect love.” -Tom Robbins, Still Life With Woodpecker
July 9th of this summer Chris asked me a question revolving around spending a life-time (mine, as it were) laughing at his jokes, his myriad stomach pokes, and his brilliant ability to imitate any voice at the drop of a hat. A question revolving around spending a life-time looking into his bold, blue eyes and holding his hand in mine. A question revolving around a love to rival any two people who have ever stood to proclaim loudly that they would love each other for all eternity, and really meant it, and also, would I always give him my last french fry?
Most of you already know, I said yes to the aforementioned “revolving around” question.
Well, in all honesty, most of you know that before I actually said “YES!” I said something really articulate and (cl)assy like, “But where’s the ring?” Because, priorities, they are important. And, clearly, my tact knows no bounds.
While so many of you have been privvy to celebrating with us via his site and/or mine, and still more of you have heard (or you know, read, as it were) me tell stories about myriad trips to Alabama (until the repeating pattern of separation finally drove us both to the lonely Cliffs Of Sanity, off which we were both sure we had already jumped, only we couldn’t remember packing a parachute. Or a giant mythological winged creature closely resembling a dragon, that talks.), neither of us have yet to post the official, full of cheese and loads of making out, unabridged (and un-Kevin Costner appearing) version of The Story Of Us.
Well, hunker down now, Anyone Even The Slightest Bit Interested. Because, without further adieu and blathering from yours truly, here we go! (I imagine this to resemble a sort of fun rollercoaster, or similarly thrilling theme park ride. You choose which one. Weee!)
It was November of 2004. I was involved in a mostly daily routine at the time: perusing the web, reading my daily barrage of sites, compulsively clicking links offered and ripe for the clicking. I still to this day, and after much re-thinking, have no good idea how I ended up, after what felt like an eternity of link-clicking later, finding Lateshow.
It had been at least twelve link-clicks (I just made that up, but what I mean to say is: “it had been awhile”) since I had seen a site with a design that struck me as very well done, clever, and clean. And also: blue. His site was all of the above. Beyond the eye-catching design, further peaking my interest was the fact that the man behind the site was (and still is, incidentally) great at bringing the funny.
So I laughed at a few posts, and kept reading. And then I laughed at his about page, and read some more. And then I didn’t laugh at everything he had ever written (nor did I read everything, just then), but I didleave a comment telling him I liked the overall design of the site. I would like to pretend I was supremely witty and articulate, but it being the first comment I had left on ANY site, EVER, that would probably just be a lie. I am sure I re-wrote it at least eight times before I pushed “submit.”
So I commented, and fully expected said comment to become lost in the void of The Interweb, and for myself to leave his site feeling (giddy with the sheer excitement! of the first-time commenting, yes, and also) more confident about my future comment-leaving abilities.
In place of a void I found a prompt return-email in my inbox, and my heart leapt. I think I might have even said “Oh. Shit.” Probably because I was nervous (I do Nervous quite well, thank you, and quite often, especially when there is no apparent reason for me to BE nervous), and a little scared, but mostly I was excited.
I can’t remember what he said in response to my email, or what I said in response to his, but I can remember that we emailed each other daily (and often multiple times daily) for about six months, until we both finally stopped playing coy and exchanged phone numbers.
Look for “Finders, Keepers Part Duex” coming to you live, soonish (see: tomorrow, unless I have time to post it later tonight), and from Portland, where we are headed to hang with babycarrot sister and her hubs, see the lovely and talented (and semi-recently birthday celebratory) Hans, and this lovely lady, too. We are in for some fun this weekend that is not really a weekend, but it is, to us.
everything happens for a reason :) it sure does!
I’m dying to see you so I can wrap my arms around you and hug you. If Chris allows I might hug him too!! Just for fun!
XOXO
Ah, an internet find….
still life with woodpecker = possibly my favorite book ever. i heart tom robbins. and i heart you, frans.
Aww, I had no idea you guys met via blogging. Very cool.
How sweet. I love hearing how people met. Happily awaiting part II.
I am a firm believer in the power of love to transform people. So I think there is some merit to that first paragraph.
I wish I had a funny blog. That would be pretty cool.
yes, finally. THE story! please, please don’t make us wait for part two as long as we [read = I] had to wait for part one… the noseyness and love for cheesy, romantic stories is killing me here… :) *smooch*
I was all snuggled and settled in for a nice long romantic story and I just got the first chapter!!!??? You sure know how to leave people hanging! :)
Awww! I can’t wait for part two! :)
Very excited to see how this goes! :) And now I have to go read his site too. The first couple I’ve read are great.
This is awesome. I heard the abridged (=boys) version from Chris on the phone. It will be like “He said, she said.” Only it sounds sooo much like what he told me. That boy must really be in love!
Kiss Chantel (and buy her a margarita) from me.
one more thing… don’t you love Tom Robbins? I’ve thought maybe I should reread his stuff… I was all over him in H.S., but haven’t read a thing since early undergrad… wonder if I’d still love Stilllife With Woodpecker (I think I would)
I would like to think that in some small way I played a small part in this, you blogcelebrity you.