Last night Pretty and I were watching a new comedy on Netflix when she suddenly sat up and said, tomorrow is the 9th. of February, our 24th. anniversary. This was huge because for twenty-three years Pretty had problems remembering the date. Bravo!
I usually began the reminder process in January every year with a conversation that followed along these lines. Pretty, you know we have an anniversary coming up in February. Oh yes, she would say. What day is it then? I asked. Time passed as the wheels turned. I could see them turning. Is it the 12th.? she finally guessed. No, I replied with outright disgust. It’s the 9th. Pretty said oh she knew it was either the 9th. or the 12th. but thought she always got it wrong so she went with the one she didn’t really think was right. Didn’t I say I saw the wheels turning? For twenty-three anniversaries, Pretty has never remembered the right date. I always remember because I have it written on my calendar, and I don’t consider that cheating. I consider it brilliant. (Was that a calendar I saw in Pretty’s lap last night? Hmm.)
Return with me to those thrilling days of yesteryear to meet Pretty who magically changed from being a close friend and confidante (before the spontaneous trip to Cancun pictured above in February, 2001) to a woman who was hotter than the salsa we had with dinner at La Destileria the first night we were there. And trust me, that salsa was hot.
Pretty was “out” in a conservative state in a tumultuous era. She was ahead of her time with her Bluestocking Bookstore in the Vista in Columbia before the Vista became cool. Her business closed after three years, but her contribution to the LGBTQ community was recognized and appreciated. She served on the original board of directors for the SC Gay and Lesbian Business Guild formed in 1993 and was the second president of that organization. Her passion for equality was the catalyst for an activist’s life, a passion she and I shared as friends over the decade that was the 1990s.
At the turn of the century, change was in the air. It was like everyone suddenly realized time was passing faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive and if Superman and Wonder Woman were unlikely to intervene in the chaos and/or uninspiring sameness of our lives, we needed to make radical changes ourselves.
Both Pretty and I were in long term lesbian relationships that experienced seismic shifts as the first year of the new century came to a close. Our partners began looking for love in other places. Pretty had the additional drama associated with making a home for a fifteen year old son who she adored, an athletically gifted teenager who was the quarterback of his high school football team and the starting pitcher for their baseball team. She mixed her real estate appointments in her new career as a realtor for The Hubbard Group with her tennis league schedules and her son’s games.
The trip to Cancun was the launching pad for the most adventurous ride of my life. I had no way of knowing then that the gorgeous intelligent intellectually inquisitive woman with the wonderful sense of humor who grew up in New Prospect, South Carolina would marry the woman from deep in the heart of Richards, Texas and that we would be together for the next twenty-four years sharing a life unimaginable to me as a child. Yet, here we are – still laughing at each other’s jokes, still loving, still standing. And yes, still eating Mexican food as often as our older appetites allow; but now with the additional delight of sharing fajitas and quesadillas with our growing family that makes our love richer, more joyful, more playful.
How do I love thee, Pretty? Let me count the ways, and let me begin with the spicy salsa you have always brought to our family life together for two decades plus now. On that first trip to Cancun, we walked along the beach in the moonlight and I said I would give anything to celebrate our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary together in 2026. Unbelievable. Inconceivable. That seemed like such a long, long time away then, especially since I was fifty-five years old and you were fourteen years younger. We’re almost there, but the years have passed faster than a speeding bullet, our love more powerful than a locomotive.
Happy 24th. Anniversary, Pretty. Let the good times roll.
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granddaughters Ella and Molly at Mexican restaurant
I'll Call It Like I See It 
Comments
18 responses to “how do I love thee? let me count the ways”
Aww what a sweet little newborn. Welcome to our planet, Molly and look how purroud you all are. Such a great picture, Sheila. Happy Anniversay to the both of you too🌹 Extra Pawkisses for a wonderful 💗 day🐾😽💞
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Thank you very much, Granny. We have been so blessed, and I rarely say that word. But that’s how we truly feel.
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Happy anniversary! Such babes in that photo ❤️
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Oh girl, thanks so much – such a nice compliment in my dotage!
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Happy Happy Happy! Cheers to the next twenty-one!!!
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And look at the wonderful lives you’ve created for yourselves! Happiest of Anniversaries!!!! Since you’re from Texas, I’m sure you know your hot salsas, too hahaha. I love that photo! Hugs to you both!!!! Actually, Ella, too!
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Thanks so very much, Luanne – hope your daughter and her husband will have the greatest adventures together! I’m so happy for you and the gardener to give her away together. That’s as it should be. Celebrate yourselves.
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We had a blast. Everything went well! She scrapped the stupid bouquet and garter throwing out of respect for her single friends, which I thought was really smart. But it was all beautiful. Of course, I forgot to get a pic of the gardener and me or one of my boots with my dress. The gardener said when the professional family shots are ready I can photoshop everybody else out and get a pic of the two of us hahahahaha.
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Luanne, that DRESS was stunning, gorgeous, incredible! I’ve never seen a lovelier wedding gown, and I’ve seen my share!
I cannot believe you don’t have a picture of you and the gardener. Shame on you – I was dying to see your boots.
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I know. I was so eager to make my rounds talking to people we invited and meeting some of the groom’s friends and family that I a) got no appetizers and b) didn’t think about what photos I wanted.
I think so too about that dress. I actually didn’t remember how gorgeous it was until I saw it hanging up when I got to the place where we got ready. I’m sure it’s my favorite ever. It has a white sequin sheath underneath that lacy layer so lots of attention to the whole thing.
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Really, Luanne, the dress was stunning.
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I knew everything would turn out to be fabulous, but I totally get the anxiety.
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I was pretty calm once it all started, but that’s because daughter had every T crossed, you know?
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That’s the way, uh huh, we like it!
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Happy Anniversary you two!! Your story and the precession of years together always makes my heart happy. Salute! Cent’anni!
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Thanks so very much, Ann – our virtual friend in the north. Your friendship has been a contribution to our happiness. You are with us every day as we pass your art. Cheers, hugs and love
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Congratulations on your Anniversary & the birth of beautiful Molly!!
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Thank you so very much, Cindy! Molly is a dear – we can’t remember when Ella was a baby like this, but goodness gracious, we have the pictures! We are blessed to have our friends in the blogosphere.
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