Picture Walk
This week I've been digging around in my old photo boxes, trying to find all of the pictures of rt_hon_rackman and me on our anniversaries. It's our tenth tomorrow, and I felt an urge to see all our anniversary images side by side. I have managed to assemble all but the second and third. I will find them eventually.
When Gillian flips through a book, looking at the illustrations to get an overview of the story, she calls that a "picture walk." Looking at the images of rt_hon_rackman and myself all together is like taking a picture walk through our marriage.
Year 1: I had blonde hair. I had just moved back to Chicago from Austin. rt_hon_rackman was on call constantly for his job. That night he told his coworkers, "You can call me, and I'll come in, but I'm bringing my wife with me, and you can explain to her why you had to interrupt our dinner." No one called. The next night we ate stale wedding cake and champagne while watching TV in our jammies.
Year 2 we went to Petit Folie. Those of you who know the place will know that we enjoyed ourselves.
Year 3: I had been laid off since July. I made dinner, and rt_hon_rackman came home early to find me in the kitchen in my underwear, because I didn't want to get my dress dirty. Later we danced to Harry Connick Jr. I had my dress on by then.
Year 4 our anniversary came soon after Gillian was born and we moved into our first house.
Year 5 we moved again, to Florida, away from all of our family and friends. We had no child care established, so Gillian came out to Citricos with us. The server took our picture, and we look quite happy and glowing.
Year 6 our anniversary was on the last day of Hurricane Francis. Tired of being stuck in a house with no electricity for two and a half days, we sallied forth to eat at the fancy French restaurant in EPCOT. The wait staff outnumbered the patrons (all 5 of us). Gillian refused to let us eat at the same time, so one of us went outside with her while the other ate. Romantic.
Year 7 Gillian was in school on our anniversary, so we rode roller coasters in the morning, saw a movie, and generally enjoyed being alone together. The we picked her up and had dinner and pie at home.
Year 8 I was pregnant. We went to one of those Brazilian places with the meat on swords. Yum.
Year 9 Elliot was 9 months old. We stayed in on our anniversary, but on my birthday two days later we went to the Melting Pot with Gillian, who allowed us all to stay at the table this time.
More than just reminding me of the activities of those nine nights, the pictures remind me of all of the changes that we have been through as a couple and a family -- the jobs, the arguments, the laughs (many laughs), family lost, family gained, relocation, education. Through it all, the constant reinvention of our relationship.
Ten years. I feel deep things about this, but mostly I keep thinking, "wow."
When Gillian flips through a book, looking at the illustrations to get an overview of the story, she calls that a "picture walk." Looking at the images of rt_hon_rackman and myself all together is like taking a picture walk through our marriage.
Year 1: I had blonde hair. I had just moved back to Chicago from Austin. rt_hon_rackman was on call constantly for his job. That night he told his coworkers, "You can call me, and I'll come in, but I'm bringing my wife with me, and you can explain to her why you had to interrupt our dinner." No one called. The next night we ate stale wedding cake and champagne while watching TV in our jammies.
Year 2 we went to Petit Folie. Those of you who know the place will know that we enjoyed ourselves.
Year 3: I had been laid off since July. I made dinner, and rt_hon_rackman came home early to find me in the kitchen in my underwear, because I didn't want to get my dress dirty. Later we danced to Harry Connick Jr. I had my dress on by then.
Year 4 our anniversary came soon after Gillian was born and we moved into our first house.
Year 5 we moved again, to Florida, away from all of our family and friends. We had no child care established, so Gillian came out to Citricos with us. The server took our picture, and we look quite happy and glowing.
Year 6 our anniversary was on the last day of Hurricane Francis. Tired of being stuck in a house with no electricity for two and a half days, we sallied forth to eat at the fancy French restaurant in EPCOT. The wait staff outnumbered the patrons (all 5 of us). Gillian refused to let us eat at the same time, so one of us went outside with her while the other ate. Romantic.
Year 7 Gillian was in school on our anniversary, so we rode roller coasters in the morning, saw a movie, and generally enjoyed being alone together. The we picked her up and had dinner and pie at home.
Year 8 I was pregnant. We went to one of those Brazilian places with the meat on swords. Yum.
Year 9 Elliot was 9 months old. We stayed in on our anniversary, but on my birthday two days later we went to the Melting Pot with Gillian, who allowed us all to stay at the table this time.
More than just reminding me of the activities of those nine nights, the pictures remind me of all of the changes that we have been through as a couple and a family -- the jobs, the arguments, the laughs (many laughs), family lost, family gained, relocation, education. Through it all, the constant reinvention of our relationship.
Ten years. I feel deep things about this, but mostly I keep thinking, "wow."