Can I just say that I have the best boyfriend ever?
I’m sure that statement is likely to prompt some of you to fire off an e-mail about your boredom with hearing about The Attorney and the “sickening sweet” stories about our relationship. I really don’t understand why people want to deny someone the chance to express a little happiness, let alone denying a virtual stranger.
But, it’s all good. For every one of you that has dropped me an ugly note, there are dozens of others who have supported me and shared in my happiness. And I thank you for that. Besides, no one can stop me from being happy but me.
Tonight I am about as happy as I have ever been. I feel so good that I am floating and can’t even sleep. Of course, it’s not all that unusual that I can’t sleep, but this time I have a reason other than insomnia.
Because this evening, The Attorney made it official.
He is officially the best boyfriend ever. Well, the best one I ever had anyway. And I can’t imagine one being better.
The other day, I saw in the paper that one of my favorite writers, David Sedaris, was going be doing a reading at the Tennessee Theatre down in Knoxville. About 4 years ago1 I got to see him in the very same theatre and had my copy of “Me Talk Pretty One Day” signed. About the only bigger thrill would be for me to meet Peyton Manning.
His appearance was tonight. Unfortunately, I found out about it too late to get tickets. They were sold out. Even on Craigslist all I could find was people wanting tickets. Not selling them.
The Attorney offered to pull some strings and find some tickets but it would have been for nothing because, due to a meeting, I wouldn’t be able to get off work in time to get home, get Granny situated, get cleaned up, and get to Knoxville in time for the event.2
He said that if he could get his hands on tickets, we could always go late. But I hate going into things like that after they have started. I feel like I an annoying the rest of the audience. So, I turned down his offer.
He knows me well and knows that I would stew on it all night and wallow in my pity, so after work he called and asked me to come down and have dinner. Again, I turned him down. But, like I said, he knows me well. So, then he suggested that we have dinner downtown near the theatre and maybe we sneak in to the book signing following the reading. As much as I wanted to hear Sedaris read, what I wanted more was to have my copy of his latest book signed. So, I took the bait.
But, as it turns out, the Attorney did not intend for us to work our way into the signing. He was using red herring for bait.
And it was the most delicious and satisfying herring I have ever had.3
Near the end of dinner, The Attorney slid a copy of “When You Are Engulfed in Flames” across the table to me.
It had already bought copy from Amazon last June.
“But this one is a special edition,” he said, instructing me to look inside the cover.
There on the title page was neat little hand printing, upper and lower case that read:
“To Tony. It won’t be the same without you.”
I recognized the blob-ish strokes below that as Sedaris’ unique signature that, if you look closely, contains at least a “D”, a “V”, and and “S.” It was the same signature as in my book from four years ago.
Special indeed.
The Attorney had gone through the trouble to arranged that a book be ent to the theatre with a request it be personally signed for a fan who wouldn’t be able to see the show.
And so it was. Signed. Personally. To me.
“To Tony. It won’t be the same without you.”
But from where I sit, it wouldn’t be the same without The Attorney.
My life, that is.
It’s official.
{ fin }
- almost to the day [↩]
- Just another reason to hate my office job. [↩]
- Actually I have never had herring, red or otherwise, before. Just go with the metaphor. [↩]
Mazel Tov.
I can’t decide whether you have the best boyfriend ever, or he does.
Not that I have any qualms about mine, either – he surprises me with little things on a regular basis, too. So maybe I should just say, the four of us are all lucky.
I’m grinning from ear to ear.
Great, he is a keeper, your lucky, with so many looking, so few find that someone (I found mine 25 years ago).
Oh boy…..am I a dweeb if I tell you that I sort of have a little mist in my eyes?? What a story. What a life!
You do have an awesome boyfriend.
OK, I just seriously caught a tear………….
Just beautiful….please don’t EVER stop sharing your enchanting,sweet tales about your relationship! You and the Attorney are one of my very favorite love stories!
Love stories are great.
Now that is too sweet! Screw the naysayers, it’s always nice to hear your stories.
Keyron is sort of like that with me, and I’m sort of like that with him.
Gives me Hope =)
That made a little teary-eyed. It is an affirmation of life to read stories about the simple and honest expression of love. It warms my heart knowing you are basking in that wonderful feeling.
As for the nay-sayers, ignore them. They’ve succumbed to their own internal bitterness and resentment. Don’t let them project their issues onto you T. You have every right to not only be happy but to express the feelings you have.
Ok…that was just so nice. Everybody should have someone like the attorney in their life. Does he have a brother?
Simply beautiful. I couldn’t be happier for all involved. Naysayers and jealous haters, be damned.
Why on earth anyone would begrudge you happiness and sentimentality is a mystery. This post and the previous one both made me all teary. It’s beautiful to see a big burly blokey southern boy get all sappy. I love it.
Is there an emoticon for “big, big, BIG smile”???
That’s very sweet
I agree–ignore the naysayers. Adore your stories and like others–a tear in the eye. Please, continue to share your life.
hh
Indeed a wonderful boyfriend.
My nephew likes this david Sardis character. Maybe I should check him out.
Your love story and granny are the West the May and the Berry of West of Mayberry! (that was a little clunky, but I like it)
wow…i feel happy for you Tony, immesnsely appreciative that the magic of love still exists. got a bit teary..awww…Bless you Tony
Someone on another blog once asked what was a romantic gesture–THAT is the most romantic gesture I can think of. If I weren’t loved by the husband as much as I am I would be, as we say in New England, way wicked jealous.
Hugs to you both.
that is so moving you are both lucky Love your blog
I love hearing about you and the Attorney. I hope I can have what you guys have one day.
I love David Sedaris too! I am happy you got to see him (he is incredibly funny in person) but even happier for you that you have what you have. I love romance! Can I be flower girl or ring bearer (no, not THAT kind of ring— although…….)
I had to read it again and cry for your happiness and that such happiness and great guys exist!
You two are just adorable. The Attorney is clearly a keeper and you are a most lucky fella, Tony. Couldn’t be happier for you both.
I’m glad you don’t let those miserable sad sacks wear you down – enjoy the good thing you got and share it with us all you like. They can always go find a crankier blog to read somewhere: there’s dozens of those.
…..sigh…..
The only thing that would make it better is if the book was actually funny!
But the sentiment is right – on the atty’s part.
Tony, I am always happy to hear about your happiness. Always. You have found someone who thinks he is luckier to have you than you are to have him. Nothing could be better. And nothing is better than having someone be in love with you and ‘get’ you so well. Congratulations for it being official.