Man, that would be a great title for a song!
I got to sitting with a few of the guys the other night and of course we couldn't just sit there, so we had a few beers; you know, pops, brewskis, lagers, golden nectar... whatever. Well, it always seems that the combination of guys and beers leads to a conversation about the women who have come into and out of our lives.
I am a lucky man. I have blessed to have the women in my life that I've had. I've been married twice. Strangely, I don't remember much about my first marriage, although it lasted eight years. I feel bad that I don't remember more than I do. I do know we had wonderful vacations and I do remember that the marriage ended horribly. I do remember that she looked amazing in sweaters, but I still think I should rememeber more than that. Although, if that's all I remember, it's not a bad memory at all.
My second marriage was to my high school sweetheart although long after we were out of school. She was (is) a great woman. I know we both agree that we raised our children well. I adopted her sons and it changed my life for the better. Anything I know about being a parent (and I think I did a pretty good job) I learned from her. She is an awesome Mom. She has remarried and we get along pretty well and I'm happy for that. How could she not still have a special place in my heart? I've known her since I was 15 and she was 14 years old.
So after I left the group of guys at the bar, on the drive home and in subsequent days, I thought about the other women... the women I didn't marry. I suppose I'm happy to say I'm no Wilt Chamberlain, but I was kind of surprised when I added up the numbers. There were more than I thought. I can't say that every woman I had a relationship with was "special" to me, but I can honestly say every one was important to me. And I also need to say that relationship does not always mean we did the wild thing.
SO, I put together a Top Ten List of my favorite women along the way (not including my former wives) and a brief description of why they made the list. The list is not in chronological order. You will not see names or initials, but if you are the woman in question, you should readily recognize that I'm talking about YOU!
OK, here we go!
#10 - My first kiss in the woods near our houses in Dumont. Maybe not a relationship, but she's on the list anyway. I remember feeling my first feeling of jealousy when I heard she had kissed my best friend, too.
#9 - My first real girlfriend that people knew about. She would always start to giggle when we were making out. As she was the only girl on her family, I was always afraid one of her many brothers was going to beat me up.
#8 - It took me weeks to learn how to spell her last name, but she eventually broke up with me because I was "too nice." It wasn't the last time I ever heard that from a woman.
#7 - An "older" college sorority girl who opened my eyes to some of the less academic activities of college. Go State!
#6 - A heart of gold, but a brain the size of a pea. We would hook up whenever neither of us had a date. She was kind and gentle and gifted, if you know what I mean.
#5 - She's so wonderful, but our paths crossed at a time that was just not aligned with the stars and the moon. She was there and I was here and nothing was going to change the distance. I miss her.
#4 - Tweet Tweet! Everything about her was good; personality, looks, heart... The first person whom I ever thought I'd like to be married to. She married someone else and left him shortly thereafter.
#3 - She was beautiful and funny. She was also high class (and I was not). But I cherish the time I spent at 35 SD. An unfortunate trust issue put this one to sleep.
#2- One terrific New Years Eve together. The kindest woman I know.
#1 - This is the girl I let get away and it was too late before I realized it. My biggest relationship error. We are dear friends to this day.
Well, there it is.
In all seriousness, I hope you all remember me as fondly as I remember you, and that you all are enjoying extremely happy and healthy lives.
God bless you all.
XO
Tim
Roto????
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