Wednesday, February 17, 2010

My Mister

It's not often that I write about my guy on this here blog.  In fact, when I ordered a printed copy of the last year's entries, he went through and counted the number of times he appeared in a picture (I think the count was 4, and then he lowered it to 3 because one image was the same in two posts).  He took it personal. Oops. 

Truth is, it is easy to write about my babies.  I find myself smiling, chuckling, savoring every little detail as I recall each little thing they do and write about it.  This TCMMR space is my creative outlet - - my public journal space about life as a mama.

But I must say, I really appreciate my MD (aka Daddy M).  His name was Ya's first word: "Dadada-dada."  When I'm with him - even when I'm just "watching" a football game (actually I'm usually annoying him with questions about every play and especially the flags) - I am content.  He tolerates my obsession with hanging up clothes.  He endures my marathons of reality television (ANTM, Rich Bride-Poor Bride, etc). I love seeing him play with Chi at the park.  I find it incredibly amusing to watch him fumble with all things baby (and I pretend that because I have 7-years in the parenting world, I know it all).  It makes me so very happy to see his pride for his son's every accomplishment. And who wouldn't love a man who pouts and mourns over his missing "Sour Patch Kids" that were left (he says) on the dresser, but disappeared before he could return from work to claim them?

I appreciate the little things he does for me just because - like getting me the DVD of "The Time Traveler's Wife" so I could determine if the movie ended as poorly as the book or unlocking the laptop I password protected myself out of using.  He made me dinner for Valentines day so that we could eat leisurely without worrying that Ya would get restless and we'd have to hurry out of a restaurant.  And he finds the best cards for every occasion -- you know, the ones with the perfect sayings that fit our relationship so well it was as though they were penned just for us?

And his sense of humor... it's one of those truly developed comedic talents that you either get or guffaw at.

When we were in middle school, he saw me on stage during a Black History Month program while I was reciting a poem:
"I be thinkin' like I be dealin' and I be seein' things I didn't never see before.  Like I see me and I see that doing my own thing is not defiance.  I can be me and it don't mean I got to show somebody somewhere that I'm better than they think..."  
I remember my outfit that day, totally early 90s: high top black sneakers, tube socks, black cotton shorts, over-sized tee shirt, back combed bangs and a pony tail.  Hot stuff, I assure you.  And I know I was upset when I was told to memorize this poem because being the pretentious youth with a knack for Standard English and a penchant for vocabulary, I had deemed the poem beneath me.  (How wrong I was, how foolish for not reading the poem instead of stopping at the words). For years after he saw that performance, he began every conversation with "I be thinkin'."

We dated for a few months in between middle school and high school.  We kept in touch when I went out of state for college, though were distant friends.  And when Chi was only 8-months old, MD came to my apartment and spent the entire visit getting to know my daughter instead of hanging out with Mommy (whom he'd not seen for about 3 years).   I admit it, I was impressed by his attention to my baby, and I knew there was something more to this man.

Somewhere between then and now, we became an "unofficial item," and though the details are sketchy, the connection is clear.

So, without further ado, this is a portrait of MD exactly as I love him:  broad, unencumbered smile, the hat Chi picked for his Christmas present, and the sweater Mommy got him and insisted he start wearing.

MJDbw

6 comments:

Don and Lisa Osborn said...

What a handsome man he is and such a loving tribute! Sounds like he's a keeper! I love that you've known each other for a LONG time.

Blessings~
Lisa

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

I loved this post....what a great tribute to your handsome man!!! Wonderful photo too!!

Thanks for playing along:)

Donna said...

Lovely words and a fantastic photo to go with them. Sounds like you've got a lucky guy there! ;)

Donna
Our Blog: Double Happiness!

Anonymous said...

Great photo! I LOVE the post you wrote about him. He sounds like a great man. I did have to giggle about him counting his pictures in your blog. Sense of humor too ;)

Unknown said...

He is so handsome : ) You should put a ton of pictures of him on your blog. My husband HATES getting his picture taken. I try to force him as often as I possibly can though. We need some man sweetness on our blogs : ) It's all kids and puppies! We need some macho ness : )

Melissa G said...

What a wonderful tribute to your husband!

You're right, it's so easy to focus on our kids on our blogs. We don't give our husbands enough credit.