My folks are here for the weekend and we had a chance to celebrate their 45th wedding anniversary by eating at Pappadeaux. It is an impressive feat in today's shitty disposable world, where it seems as easy to pick up a new partner as it is for some to change vehicles.
Honestly, it was a rocky start, they got married because they created one of the best humans ever, and like I tell my fans, once you get a taste of my coolness, you can't walk away. My Mom was still going to school, my Dad had served in Vietnam and had come back a hero. They decided to move to Corpus Christi and start life together there. Mom continued her studies, commuting to Kingsville to become a teacher. She did her student teaching in Corpus Christi and we were on our way to having a great life growing up by the beach. But no, several incidents took place, Mom was threatened by a 'hood ass black kid who pushed her against the wall and said he was going to hurt her, plus she was always very close to her sisters and missed them too much, we had to go back to our hometown of Crystal City. My Dad was a man, he quickly found work in Corpus driving a delivery truck for an ice company. He likes to reminisce every time we go down there by Portland, he says he used to run all over delivering ice to the small gas stations.
When they decided to come to Crystal, my Dad again got a job driving and delivering ice, while my Mom got with the school and taught typing and business classes for about 13 years. At some point, she started with night classes, and became a counselor, which she still does today.
I can't help but believe they are good role models as Wife and I have been married 22 years. My brother and his wife have been married about 14-15 years and even my sister and her husband have been married at least 10 years.
My Mom has been good for Dad. He was just trying to crack wise today when we went to lunch about being all run ragged from being married so long to her, but I had to pipe up and say "relative to your brothers Dad, you're the one in best overall condition", two of his brother's have passed away in last few years, but the other two remaining are living life a little rougher. He had to agree. They may not exactly have the same likes, but I enjoy having them around. My Mom is happy having her grandkids around her, and maybe going to the mall, and trying new places to eat when they come to the big city. My Dad would rather be dropped off at a casino (illegal or not), and you could feed him a gas station burrito, but if it is a restaurant, it better have shrimp on the plate.
We have a week in Florida planned with them in a couple months, and even a trip to Corpus Christi here in a couple weeks, just to get out of town. I love that they have settled into a comfortable routine where my Mom is working because she wants to, my Dad gets to retire and be home and be a part of the family. He spent too many years working away from home as a truck driver. They have a little money and their health, so they can travel and come and go as they please.
What else can I say? I wish you another 45 years together. Thanks for all the lessons along the way to help make me the man I have become. I guess if I am as awesome as everyone says, it's because both of you added just the right amount of yourselves, I love you.
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