Eight Years...

Jamie,

I love how we both forgot we have been dating for eight years. Classic us. Whoops.

Happy eight years!

Thank you for always supporting me and putting up with my shit. I know I am not the easiest to get along with. I know I am stubborn. I know I can be unrealistic. I know I can be a total friggin’ prick. I am working on it. I want you to know how much I love and appreciate you. I have no idea where I would be if I did not have you by my side through all the messes I've made over the last few years. You have consistently pushed me to do better and coddled me when I have failed (miserably). Your constant love and support fuel me to be a better person. I can’t imagine going through what we have been through with anyone else.

I love you, and I can’t wait to be your husband.

-Matt

PS - We are out of peanut butter - we need to go food shopping.

The Graduate...

“Well, that’s done. I graduated from college. What’s for dinner?” - Me.

It took me a while, but I finally did it. I graduated from college. It was awful. I have no idea how I did it. I have no idea where I found the time, or how I found the energy, but it is done. I feel an overwhelming sense of accomplishment knowing I finished something I started over a decade ago. If I would have stayed in school all those years I would be a doctor by now, but whatever.

I am a walking billboard for adult learners. I am that commercial of a person sitting up in bed while everyone else sleeps typing away on an essay, finishing homework on the bus ride into work, or taking my lunch break to complete a math problem while trying not to get sandwich crumbs on my MacBook Pro. I did all these things, and although I thought it was terrible at the time, I look back and am proud of the determination I had to get this damn diploma. I have no idea if it will impact or improve my quality of life, but this was a personal goal to get my degree, so I got it.

Over the last two years, while I was in school, I also worked my but off at work and was offered a promotion. During this time I had been dancing the line of work-life balance for 20+ direct reports. Not an easy task when you have a final due every few weeks. We bought a home in Nashville, TN. We moved across the country twice, and we got engaged. And somehow during all of that, I still found time to accomplish my academics. If I can do this, anyone can. I know, I may sound like I am patting myself on the back, but I don’t care, this is my story. I know a million other people have done this, and good for them. Going back to school was rough, but at the same time, it was rewarding. I am proud, let me have my moment.

On a recent call with my soon to be mother-in-law, I vented to her about how I just wanted to drop out. She listened to my complaints and then told me, “You are in your last class, it’s almost over, and when it’s done you’ll be glad you started this two years ago instead of today.” These words stood out to me because every accomplishment starts today. While I was in school, I did not tell anyone; this was a personal quest to prove to myself I could do it. In two years, whatever you start today could be accomplished. Are you going to get started right now? Or, are you going to wait another two years and say to yourself “Next year I will get to that” or “This Saturday I’ll start.” We all know we are full of shit when we say that, so get started on whatever goal you have now, you’ll be glad you did.

What will you get started today?

-YourFriendMatt

Dr. Dolittle Part Three: We have cats...

"Come here you little shit!" - Jamie

It's starting to get weird. Over the last few weeks, animals have found their way to me for help. Recently I have helped a defenseless turtle trying to cross an interstate. I saved a grumpy little bird from being pulverized by a lawn-mowing maniac, and now we have a litter of kittens.

A few Saturday nights ago Jamie and I were unwinding over some hand-crafted cocktails with friends. The best parties happen in the kitchen, so we all gathered around our kitchen island in clear view of our glass front door. While one of our friends were telling us about their week at work, we noticed a white, fluffy face appearing from our front porch shadows and put it's paw on our front door as if to ask if it could come in and hang out. Jamie shrieked with excitement and completely stopped any and all conversation, bolting to the front door to become this kittens mother (and rub this fluff ball on her face).

The obviously terrified kitten ran from the front door into the shadows under our porch. From there on our night was consumed with finding and coddling this kitten (regardless if I wanted to or not). "Hold the flashlight better! I need to get this baby! Oh man, he's so cute! Come here you little shit!" or some string or order of these sentences were exclaimed over and over again until we finally got the damn thing. 

Be careful what you wish for. We now have a litter of kittens patrolling our backyard. What's even funnier is our dogs could give a shit. As long as those two bums are fed, they don't care who comes and goes. 

Does anyone want a cat?

-YourFriendMatt

The kitten whisperer...

Dr. Dolittle Part Two: Bird man...

"I just saved your life. Why are you so grumpy." - Me.

I am starting to feel like Ace Ventura. I have been coming across animals that need my help (See Part One of this story). Most recently I was spending my Sunday gardening and playing with our dogs in the yard. We live next to an old church, and they have their lawn cut bi-weekly. Around 11 am or so before they get started with their service the lawn-keeper comes and makes sure the grass looks good for the parishioners. I was done gardening for the day, so I decided to head back in so Jamie and I could get our mimosa on.

I was on our porch and heard a faint "cheep" come from somewhere on the churches lawn. The roar of the riding lawn mower started somewhere in the distance, so I knew the lawn-keeper was on his way. I started looking around the yard stumbled upon a little grumpy bird sitting in the grass. I gave him my best "Hey, get the hell out of here; I don't want you to get run over by a lawnmower" juke attempt, but he called my bluff and continued to sit there. I stared at him for a while, and he stared right back. I blinked first; he was good.

I did a quick internet search of what to do with an injured bird. What I found was don't touch him, put him in a paper bag or shoe box and leave him alone after. Seems easy; I can do this. I went for the search of a paper bag as lawnmower man rounded the corner of the church and was making his way towards my helpless, grumpy friend. I jumped off the porch, paper bag in hand, and leaped in front of the lawn keeper waving my arms like a moron to prevent him from blending this grumpy little guy into a bird smoothie.

We got the bird into the paper bag and left him alone. The internet also told me to leave the bag open and check on him in an hour to see if it flew away. Which, an hour later, he flew away but not before pooping in the bag and on my porch. He was a little bastard. 

-YourFriendMatt