Happy Anniversary

I met my wife at The Cooker restaurant in Boardman on Route 224 back in the summer of 1996. She was bartending on opening weekend, and a friend of mine had passes for dinner. We chatted at the bar while waiting for our table, and she overheard our conversation about music.

She interrupted to probe for shared acquaintances and finally landed on Bob Fitzer. Not long after, Bob told her that we lived across the street from each other on Youngstown’s North Side where I lived in a duplex while attending YSU. I returned to the restaurant for dinner (and their awesome biscuits) that December while in rehearsals for Fiddler on the Roof at the Youngstown Playhouse.

She saw me approaching from the door and hoped I would eat at the bar. Being my preferred place to dine alone, I was only too happy to oblige. I unpacked my Marlboro Lights and ordered some biscuits and found out that this beautiful creature lived across the street from me and knew my name. Working hard on establishing a career as an orchestral conductor, having done a few shows around town, and having gotten a bit of press, I initially and mistakenly thought she might be a fan.

Paying my check, I told her I would come back after rehearsal. When I got to the Playhouse, I told my colleagues I had just met a beautiful woman and was looking forward to pursuing things. Little did I know we’d be married September 26, 1998 and still together ten years later, going strong.

I’m in awe of my wife’s intelligence. She defers to me far too often, though I don’t admit this for fear she will stop doing it and I’ll lose what control I have left in the relationship.

I’m in awe of my wife’s talent. She’s dabbled with photography throughout her life, but now deciding to pursue it in earnest, she’s made it clear she has an artist’s sense and a unique vision.

More than anything, I’m thankful for her forbearance. As a renaissance man, I have more interests than time, and that frequently means my mind is scattered and less available to her than she deserves. She continues to be patient, and I hope there is some compensation for her from it.

Happy Anniversary, my love.

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