Chad's voice........

When Christina asked me to write on her blog, I was actually a little nervous.  It isn’t as if we are going to have millions of followers, but those that will be reading the posts are people whose opinions matter.  Most of the people who will be reading our blog know us personally and understand what we have been going through.  Shouldn’t this make it easier to speak openly?  No way.  Christina tells me to just write what I feel, give people some insight into our family.  Unfortunately, words don’t come as easy to me as they do to her.  I fumble with words, she writes so fluidly.  It is much easier for me to research, and my writing is much more analytical.  I guess that is why we make such a great pair.  Christina is the emotional one, and I am the one who tries to stay grounded.

I don’t think Christina told you the story of how we met.  I think this is important to understand who we are as a couple.  I have been doing theater for my entire life, studying in New York, Civic Theater shows, directing for the High School productions, always involved in theater.  Well, the two of us met during the Civic Theater’s production of “They’re Playing Our Song”.  You never heard of it?  Neither did I, which is why I wasn’t planning on auditioning.  I had gotten a call at school from the producer encouraging me to try out.  It was a small cast, not a huge time commitment.  Who knows, I might meet some new friends.  So I auditioned and got a role.  During that show, I didn’t just make a new friend, I met my best friend.

Christina and I had lots of fun during the show.  We joked around all the time.  I was able to be myself with her, and she truly understood me.  There are so many stories we could tell during those times, but we will keep those between us.  After I was even able to convince her to come to the High School to help construct the set for our fall production.  She still laughs at me because I was trying to be mechanical, using an electrical drill to construct a bed.  She said that bed was so crooked.  Some things never change.

Now, the reason I mention the show is that I think the subject of the show sounds a little like our relationship.

They're Playing Our Song is a story based on the real-life relationship of a wisecracking, egotistical composer who finds a new, offbeat lyricist, but initially the match is not one made in heaven. The two undergo a series of trials and overcome a number of hurdles before finding true love by the final curtain.

I can be pretty “wisecracking”, and Christina is about as “offbeat” as they come (in a good way).  Now, I don’t think I am egotistical (it isn’t bragging if it’s the truth).  Like every couple, we have had a number of hurdles we have had to jump in our relationship.  Many of these hurdles are no fault of our own, it is just those that fate puts in our path.  I understand that life is full of ups and downs, but sometimes it felt like downs and more downs.  There were times when we felt that we were being put through the ringer - so many trials that we didn’t want to face.  The one constant through everything has been our love for each other.  We may be an unusual match, but we are truly a match made in heaven.    

Now for me, it was love at first sight.  She has always been outgoing and continually keeps me on my toes.  We have had numerous adventures together.  We have kayaked in Puerto Rican Rain Forests, toured Washington D.C.’s historical sites, and have played slots in Vegas.  Many adventures, and many more adventures to come.  Christina truly makes life interesting.  It is her and Kaylee that make life worth living.  The two of them mean so much to me, and I try to tell them how much they mean to me daily.

If there is one thing I can press on those who read this blog, don’t take life for granted.  Love those in your life with all your heart.  Tell your wife, husband, boyfriend, girlfriend, how much they mean to you.  It is love that will truly get you through difficult times.  Every morning before going to work, I give Christina a kiss and tell her that I love her.  Even after seven years of marriage, I introduce her as my bride.  I still feel like we are newlyweds.  She will always be my bride, even after 50 years of marriage.  (Although I still like to also call her my old lady).

I love you Sweetheart with all my heart.  You give me guidance and vision.  I can only hope to make you as happy as you make me.  With each other, we can overcome any storm.  How do I know this?  We already have.  We will love each other until our final curtain…which I hope is many, MANY, years away.