Ancient Chinese prophesy foretells of a grand matriarch, a woman so devoted to her grandchildren that any potential suitor who doesn’t meet her expectations and challenges her authority, soon disappears under mysterious and unpleasant circumstances. Her reign of terror is said to last nearly thirty years. Prophesy also foretells of a stranger from the West, a clueless-yet-well-meaning gweilo, whose affections for her grandson will tear at the very fabric of her universe. And the ensuing battle—between the white guy and his boyfriend’s evil Grandmonster—is said to be one that will one day turn prophesy into legend.
I’ve always envisioned Sam Elliott narrating that bit for one of my books. Actually, the third Andy Stevenson novel. I wrote it with a bit of my guy and I in mind. Kinda obvious, huh? Incidentally, does anybody have a connection to Sam Elliott? I’m thinking he’d probably charge me more than I could pay to narrate that for a YouTube commercial when the time comes.
The timing for sharing that first bit with you feels right at the moment. I’ve been doing a great deal of thinking lately about where I started in life, where I’m heading and where I’ll be next week. The truth is I’m turning into a bit of a softy. I even believe in fate. Shall I tell you why?
Roxette: Pearls Of Passion (The CD that started a friendship)
If my guy hadn’t dated a girl during high school at the same time as I was dating her sister in college on the opposite side of the state, we might never have made a connection. If he hadn’t gone to the girl’s 16th birthday party, if I hadn’t been invited or if I’d been working that night, he and I might never have met for the first time. If he hadn’t been available and accepted the offer to go sailing with the family and if I hadn’t been available and accepted the offer to go sailing, we might never have met the second time. If I hadn’t brought a cassette of Roxette’s first album–something that wasn’t released domestically for many years to come–we might never have struck up a conversation that led to the exchange of phone numbers and bonding over the music group.
If I hadn’t essentially broken down 3 1/2 years later and finally said what I thought to be the dreaded word I was, I might not have called him and had him come over so I could finally admit it to someone. Had he not been that word, too, willing to admit it or even remotely interested in me, we never would have discussed that we were attracted to each other, what we wanted in a relationship or given what we had between us a chance.
There were so many variables… I’ve asked myself a number of times how in the world it could have actually happened. It still doesn’t seem possible. So, divine intervention? Well, we know how well that theory would go over in the majority of the religious community. But how about fate? Seventeen years. It really doesn’t feel like it’s been that long. I’ve joked with him about not being able to wait until we’ve been together longer than we’ve been apart and it looks like we’ll get there.
I had a conversation with him on the phone about an hour ago and I’m starting to hear the excitement in his voice. It’s a good thing to hear…sort of like the obscenities when I reminded him that he still hadn’t written his vows. Some things never change, but in a good, fun way. I was 24 when we first started going out, not quite a twink and not exactly old. Now I’m 41. I’m old…and crabby. Yet when I look at his face, hear his voice or look back at our lives together, it’s almost unreal.
So, those are my thoughts today. I look forward to sharing some pics and video footage with you next week or the week after depending on how busy we are after the event…or relaxing after the event for a couple of days. My sincerest thanks to my parents, friends and folks who have been incredibly kind, supportive and just lovely about this event in our lives. A Facebook friend, Tom Webb, published a wonderful blog post the other day where he mentioned Pookie and I. If you get a chance, please read it.
See you soon.
Sending warm hugs,
Kage
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Kage Alan is the Videodrome watching, Talk Talk listening author of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to My Sexual Orientation,” “Andy Stevenson Vs. the Lord of the Loins” and the first book in a separate series, “Gaylias: Operation Thunderspell.” He can’t help but wonder if someone will actually try to reboot Videodrome or if it’s just a rumor. Sorry, they’re never going to top the original and they’ll probably screw it up trying to make it cheaply or with bad actors. Tell me I’m wrong.
Fate really does work in strange ways.
Much love and future happiness to you and Pookie. I hope your Big Day is as brilliant as you both deserve.
xxxxxxxxxx
As long as Mother Nature doesn’t interfere and he manages to squeeze out some vows, it’ll be fun. Stressful, but fun. And I’m very glad his mother will be there. =)
I love these miracles of synchronicity – how against all statistical odds something wonderful occurs. All the very best to both of you on your journey, guys!
Thank you, Lloyd. He used to ask me how we ended up together and I’d tell him, based on his Grandmonster, black magic. Sometimes it actually amused him.
Fate is always capricious, but it can sometimes be kind, and it has definitely taken a liking to you.
D, you’ve met both of us, so let’s be honest. Fate has taken a liking to him. I’m kinda along for the ride and guilty/protected by association. He’s grounded to reality and I’m flapping in the wind and usually seeking out the next great adventure to get into trouble exploring. Huh…it is a bit of a match made in Heaven when you look at it in a certain light.
Beautiful post. Yes, I believe in fate and had the same type of situation with my DH. I”m excited you’re getting married. It’s such a big step but can give your life added meaning. Congratulations.
I’ve been wanting this for so long that it feels surreal that it’s going to happen. I also think it’s easy to get caught up in the fantasy of a wedding (thank you Sex and the City), but practical can be just as beautiful. I feel very, very lucky to have him. Thank you for the congrats. =)
Congrats to you and Pookie, Kage. May you have a long and happy life together as a married couple. *hugs*
I suggested earlier to him on the phone that once we’re married, I change his nickname from Pookie to Ball & Chain. He suggested he write into his vows “You will know fear, you will know pain and you will know death.”
I’m guessing that’s a no.
Great post and congratulations! I’m so happy for the both of you.
Thank you, Sarah. =)
I always love your posts, Kage, and am anticipating your nuptials (and your report on same!)
Thank you for that, Neil. =) If things go like they usually tend to go, there may be a humorous moment or two before, during or after the ceremony. Of course, he’s not happy that NYC requires two witnesses. The fewer, the better for reasons of plausible deniability. He truly is a product of his Grandmonster at times…
What a beautiful post Kage. May you and Pookie have many more years together and congrats on the big day next week.
I believe I’ve managed to figure out how to get a few more years together. If his Grandmonster should ever pass before we do, I’ve already created a fund to have her buried face down. That way, when she tries to crawl out of the grave after me, it’ll take her a while to get past the core of the earth. It could happen!
Congratulations to you and Pookie, Kage. I hope you have as wonderful a married life as you have had in the last 17 years. I believe it has to be fate and destiny, simply because you both still want to get married (and are excited about it), after so many years together. That is some serious glue that binds you. I am so happy for you both.
Glue? There’s something alright. We tentatively agreed to play a game of checkers against each other about a year ago and ended up laughing until we cried because neither of us could remember how to set up the board. Consequently, we did it incorrectly and just made rules up as we went along. I think that’s how we’ve lived our lives together and it feels good.
Kage,
I love you guys, and wish you 17 times 17 times 17 more wonderful years together. Have a wonderful trip, a blessed union and if at first you don’t succeed in getting pregnant, keep practicing!
Tom
Thank God I finished reading that because I thought you were going to say you wished us 17 inches. Dear Lord…I wouldn’t even know what to do with that.
May you have many more x 17 years together.
And if something happens to me, I’ll haunt him from the grave. lol
Thank you, Sue. =)