Three Years of Marriage

I'm not very good at giving gifts. I got Kristina an HP Personal Media Drive for our first anniversary and the collector's edition of Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning for our second. This year I got her a jar of tobacco. I think that's a step up. I chose the jar myself and I got her favorite tobacco (an English stink-athon called Long John Silver). That may just seem like a gift choosing problem, but let me assure you that it extends to all facets of the gifting process. For example, this year I gave her the gift the night before our anniversary. I just kind of handed it to her and then sat down to watch videos on Hulu.


True, she hasn't got me anything yet (upon writing this post, on the night BEFORE our anniversary), but far be it for me to slander HER gifting abilities. I usually buy myself too many board games throughout the year and then declare loudly, "So, I guess I shouldn't get anything for Christmas or anything." It's the buyer's remorse talking, though, and by November I'll start telling Kristina what she should get me for Christmas. I get pretty particular: "I would like that one Heroscape booster with the Romans in it - it's out of print so check eBay," or "I want that Lego set with the dwarfs fighting the vikings on a pirate ship."

Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer are dating. Don't worry, this ties in. When I was in high school I had this picture in my head of a girl, my girl. She was a ball of contradictions because I was a geeky teenager who didn't really know what he wanted. One thing I did know, she was some wild thing that would drag me through manic adventures, my mind reeling, my heart pounding. I wanted someone who would challenge me to be something more. Now, Mr. Gaiman is a gent who can look after himself, which is good, because Ms. Palmer is whirlwind and together they will twist and twirl through wonders undreamed.

So what happened to my fantasy? Am I a Neil without his Amanda "F#@#ing" Palmer? My dreams came true, actually. You see, Kristina shares many interests with me, but we are very different when it comes to temperament. She isn't wild in the ways I am. I could hardly call her a bubbling ball of spontaneous impulsivity. That is good. We already have one of those in the family. Where she has challenged me has been surprising and awesome. Not once has she insisted that I try a weird hairstyle or some risky sport, but she has taught me to re-evaluate my opinions and to be truly open-minded while at the same time critical and discerning. She constantly challenges me to be better than who I am. Where many people would have given up, she has been my constant champion, my coach. As an editor she is brutal, but fair. As a wife she is supportive and caring. She has given me the most perfects gifts any man has ever received in our Edith and Frances. I am truly happy. I found my wild thing and she is all I wanted and more.

Happy Anniversary, Kristina (it's still a few hours away as I write this). Let's enjoy some stinky English on the lanai sometime!