One man's voice Thoughts, rants and commentary of a simple man

Happy anniversary

Today is my anniversary. Well, my wife and my anniversary actually. No, not our wedding anniversary but the anniversary of when we actually started dating - September 20, 1991.

I remember it fondly, albeit not as clearly as I would like (it was 18 years ago - I can barely remember what I did last week). I remember hanging out outside the history building at Newark Memorial High School (I think it was the 400 building, but I could be way off) at brunch with my then "woman in hot pursuit" and my eventual wife, Sandi Millet. We had been talking since the beginning of the school year and had been moving closer to becoming a couple, though by this point - all three weeks into this fledgling relationship - we hadn't so much as held hands.

What I remember about this day the most was that right before the end of brunch bell rang, I hugged her to tell her goodbye. As we separated from the hug there was a bit of an awkward pause between us. It was this pause that set us on our road to destiny as Mr. and Mrs. Robert Gonzalez. As we stared at each other, still in each other's arms, Sandi leaned into me and gave me the biggest, most awesome kiss a 17 year old boy could ever hope for. Ever.

I was shell shocked. I walked to my calculus class stunned, amazed and in awe. As I got to class my best friend at the time, David Watkins, asked me why I looked like I just got hit by a truck. All I could muster was "She kissed me". Yes, I was stupefied.

So today, 18 years later, I bid my wife, friend, lover and favorite woman in the world a happy anniversary. I am so glad we spent that brunch together. And I am so, so, so, so glad we ended up together, and stayed together, to get to where we are now. I love you babe.

For the men: How many times has your wife asked you if you "remember what today is"? How many times have you actually remembered? I have a challenge for you.

Try to surprise your wife one of these days with remembering something that to you seems mundane or otherwise not as memorable as you would think it should be and gently mention it to her. Something I have learned about my wife is that she loves it when I remember things that are special to her. Like the anniversary of when we started dating. I dare you to show your wife you love her by remembering a date that is special to her that you may have historically not remembered in the past.