The logical question now is, what do the the little gold bands mean, given that we couldn’t get married in this here bass-ackward country if we wanted to? They mean as little or as much as you want them to. Mostly they symbolize a new start and a new future—which may involve a day-trip to Canada; anyone wanna tag along?—and they’re a hedge against the raging insecurities that are eating me up the way a Pacman eats those little dots. (But apparently TMK is willing to hitch her wagon to someone consumed with raging insecurities. Who knew?) Mostly, TMK wanted us both to wear rings to symbolize our “connection” and our relationship, and, personally, I think she had had enough of this 21-year shilly-shallying around. Relationship-wise, we still have some work to do, and we’re learnin’ to lerve my little white pills, but the rings gave us a good, if symbolic, goose in the right direction.
Were the rings a surprise? You bet yer sweet bippy (link for you young un’s born after Laugh-In went off the air). I had nary a clue. I think my reaction was something like:
“Oh.
My.
Guh…od.”
Followed by another:
“Oh.
My.
Guh…od.”
Which was then followed by my playing the Parkay/butter/Parkay/butter/Parkay game with the little hinged box because perhaps I wasn’t quite appreciating the solemnity of the moment.
And for those of you who think of me as a big-ass-diamond girl, apparently you’ve been reading your “Field Guide to Northwest Princesses.” But that’s for the future—when one of us can make an innocent comment without the other one bursting into tears or screeching, “And what did you mean by that, exactly?!”—and will most likely be rings that TMK and I design. The gold rings are simple, and simply perfect, for now. The oddest thing is that we both feel as if we have worn them forever.
Thank you everyone for your great support and wonderful comments. TMK and I read and loved every single one, and there was much calling back and forth and "Did you see...?" and "So-and-so commented!" and "Isn't that sweet?". (And thank God for CarolineF and NancyO, who rescued us from languishing at comment #99. And a thank you to the brave lurkers who peeked their heads out. A big howdy to you! Glad to know you're out there!)
Madrona this weekend! Who will be there? We’ll be there Saturday and Saturday night, and will be at the banquet, although you’ll have to look extra hard to see TMK since she weighs, oh, 40 or 50 pounds less than she used to. Since she’s still losing weight, she hasn’t bought a new wardrobe, so just look for a small body schlumping around in yards of loose material.
By the way, in case you didn’t notice this in the latest email sent out by the Madrona folks, an important heads-up with regard to your ability to procure food, er, or not:
"The hotel is being remodeled and is in transition. Please be patient. The 4th floor restaurant grille is closed but the restaurant on the 26th floor is serving all 3 meals. We have included a list of close-by restaurants in your registration packet and there will be a sandwich and salad concession in the Pavilion on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 2 pm."
Now I suppose I should start knitting something so the muggle detectors that’ve been set up at the hotel entrances don’t start wailing and whooping loudly when I approach. Since charity knitting always seems to lift my spirits, I think I’ll start knitting ribbon dishcloths for my employee who wants to sell them at her cancer walk this year. Cotton, size 7 needles, and some mild knitting and purling—sounds basic, easy, non-threatening; I think I can handle it.
Are you attending any classes? I plan on going down one day this weekend, to check out the market, but I am not attending classes, or the banquet. After all the reading of your blog, I would like to meet you.
Posted by: PICAdrienne on February 13, 2008 11:01 AMwell, i take a blog-reading hiatus and look what happens- someone should have told me!! best wishes for continued moving forward together- btw, i've been married for about a thousand years, and we still have moments (frequently) of bristling and saying 'wth does *that* tone of voice mean?'
i think the words 'fiber festival' are put together to taunt those of us in the wilderness who knit in isolation- all the attendees should raise a glass for us while there- we're present in spirit-
again, best wishes!!!
Posted by: barb in texas on February 13, 2008 11:15 AM
I be there! I actually got a room at a B&B nearby, but I am taking classes Fri-Sun. Woo! I hope to see you both there. :)
Posted by: moiraeknittoo on February 13, 2008 11:19 AMWell, Rabbitch and I have been talking about what she should wear. She shall fill you in, I'm sure, but we agreed that both sequins and rhinestones were in order for such an auspicious occasion.
Posted by: Mel on February 13, 2008 11:20 AMPICAdrienne, I'm not taking any classes. Except for going to the banquet, we'll just be hanging around, looking for peeps to sit and knit and chat with. Trip us up as we walk by!
Posted by: Ryan on February 13, 2008 11:23 AMAw, yay! Parkay pantomimes with the jewelry box are totally appropriate. Totally.
Posted by: Carrie on February 13, 2008 11:32 AMCanada? I would SO be there! Heck, I'm halfway there already.
I vote you two plan to take the train. Then we could all book seats on the same rail car, and have a raucous Canadian Gay Wedding Knitting Party on the ride up!
Posted by: Erika on February 13, 2008 11:37 AMRyan,
My fondest best wishes to you and TMK..That sounds a bit quiet, I was just ecstatic when I saw the rings. Congrats!!
--Connie
Posted by: Connie on February 13, 2008 11:41 AM"Muggle detectors" had me giggling uncontrollably. Have fun!
Posted by: Annie on February 13, 2008 11:53 AMCongratulations on the rings and may every thing work out. A train ride party on the way up sounds like a lot of fun. I would certainly try to be there. You guys rock. Is the knitting (and spinning) commune still on?
Posted by: Joan in Reno on February 13, 2008 11:54 AMWell drat it! You're on the wrong /end/ of Canada for this Ontario lurker. :) Congrats and good on ya both. :)
Posted by: Jazmin on February 13, 2008 12:51 PMI, too, had been away from the computer for a bit, and didn't see the new jewelry...
Hot Day-am, Congratulations!
God Bless,
Cat
Ooh! Knitting people all in one place. I'm envious :) And if it makes you feel any better, my husband and I have been together for eons, and he still gets stink-eye for some things that I should probably be good and over by now. Sucks to be him, eh? (To be fair, he's still not over a few things, either.) Congratulations again! :)
Posted by: Jocelyn on February 13, 2008 02:13 PMHey, count me in for a road trip to Canada! I've not been to the Western bits of Canada. (I guess I'm assuming that's where you'd go.) Enjoy Madrona to the fullest!
Posted by: Kristen on February 13, 2008 02:20 PMOh! My! I had no idea!
Mazel tov!
Posted by: Lynn on February 13, 2008 03:12 PMBelated CONGRATULATIONS! I'm all teary! Wishing you both much happiness (and a more enlightened government wouldn't hurt, but don't get me started there )
Posted by: Liz on February 13, 2008 04:03 PMWait. NO. This will NOT DO. TMK, do I have to come over there??? You canNOT be schlumping around in too much fabric. You must buy something new to go to Madrona in. I repeat: Do I need to come out there and be your personal shopper? (hee, you KNOW I wanna. Just GIVE me a reason. Please?) hahaha
But seriously. You can't do that to yourself. Please buy an interim set of clothes. I beg you.
Posted by: Norma on February 13, 2008 05:55 PMcoming to Canada??? when??? you know you are always welcome here for sure! Since it isn't likely that in any time in the near century your country will allow marriages between same sex couples, I think you should just make a trip north my friend!! Best wishes to you both!!
Posted by: susanne on February 13, 2008 06:08 PMNorma: I *have* bought interim clothes--twice. The problem is even they're too big now. ;-) But, hey, I dare you to come over here and *make* me shop! TMK
Posted by: The Mysterious K on February 13, 2008 06:52 PMThe Granville Island Hotel in Vancouver is a lovely place for a little ceremony. Just saying.
Posted by: Becca on February 13, 2008 07:31 PMLOL. You DARE to dare me????????
Posted by: Norma on February 13, 2008 08:02 PMMany blessings and much happpiness. After all you two have been through this year, it is further proof that a real relationship is not about a million dollar ceremony and party, but two people who love each other and are committed to making it work.
I agree with Norma Buy something new for Madrona.
Posted by: DIana on February 14, 2008 06:10 AMI can highly recommend Rabbitch as a witness. She witnesses good, man. Or us! Us!
Posted by: Rachael on February 14, 2008 08:17 AMOnce again, congratulations!
Apparently no one else clicked on the ribbon dishcloth link -- the majestic transition blew me away! Yes, I am easily amused, why do you ask?
Posted by: kmkat on February 14, 2008 10:53 AMCome get married in Massachusetts this fall! Maybe around the time of Rhinebeck (just an hour or so beyond the MA border)? And you could go to WEBS and the 90 billion other great yarn stores around here and it's beautiful here in the fall and congratulations while I'm at it and do you think I had too much chocolate this Valentine's Day, huh, do you?
Posted by: Lynn on February 14, 2008 04:11 PMI know it doesn't solve the wardrobe problem, but congrats on the clothes being too *big* rather than too small for you. I do think you should both reward yourselves with at least one "outfit" each that fits now.
I'm so glad the world is looking much brighter for you more of the time now. *hug*!
Posted by: morenna on February 14, 2008 04:17 PMWe can compare gold rings on Saturday, sweet pea. I just got mine last July after 25 years, though we actually got to go to Vegas - during the record-tieing heat. Congratulations.
Allow time for parking, even as a guest. It was tight even today. I'm glad I got here yesterday. Plus, breakfasts, both in the restaurant and room service reportedly ran late this morning. The hotel is quick to fix issues and the construction workers are trying not to be a pain.
And there are almost 600 knitters enrolled in classes and then those who come for just for the comraderie and market. See you Saturday.
Posted by: KarenJoSeattle on February 15, 2008 01:55 AMI don't read blogs for awhile and WOW the things I miss -- Congratulations and wishes of much love and happiness for you and TMK. And a bleated Happy Bday to you too !!!
Posted by: rho1640 on February 17, 2008 08:44 PMI'm so happy for you two! I'm so proud of you for sticking it out, working through the hard parts. I'm so relieved for Frankie! :)
your devoted reader, lurker, knitter, and corgi-lover,
sylvia
Woohoo indeed.
I noticed them on the weekend but didn't want to comment! Yes, I'm a wierdo.
Let me know if you want any details about Canada - we're pretty civilized .
Posted by: Angela on February 18, 2008 10:20 AMCongrats on your little gold bands and your little golden 21 years of partnership! If you never fight or get snippy you're just being polite; that would not be a relationship. The trip to Canada sounds like a winner.
Posted by: ellen on February 18, 2008 12:41 PMYay! Slightly late congrats. How wonderful and what a great birthday surprise!! Your smiling picture with the ring and the silly hat is fantastic by the way!
Posted by: Emily on February 19, 2008 06:13 AMYou could always come to Massachusetts long enough to be "citizens" of the state and get hitched here! (I think the state requirements are silly, but hey! I'm just happy that they still have gay marriage here.)
Posted by: Seanna Lea on February 20, 2008 02:15 PM