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"Class, we're ending at 4 promptly today so if you want to ask questions, ask before 4. The airline made an agreement with me that the plane would leave, whether I was there or not. Perhaps you've had the same arrangement?" I told my students. I was headed to Florida, the first trip there with Admiral.
Plans had been made since Christmas for this January trip. "People today live and travel together all the time. We're engaged and don't know if we can live together. Let's go to Florida and practice living together." Admiral had said one cold December night. "Look at your calendar and see when you can get away. Arrange it anyway you can. Don't worry about the logistics. My team will get you to and from the airport whenever you need. Pack your suitcase and I'll take it with me when I drive down in January." he continued.
Not one to turn down a trip, I found several two week increments for winter play in Florida. That meant work focused and hard for two weeks at home to have play time. "Let's call it honeymooning. We're practicing this honeymoon stuff til we get it right. At our age it may take a long time since it's hard to teach old dogs new tricks." Admiral said, his eyes twinkling.
When the plane touched down in Ft. Lauderdale, my heart raced. In a few minutes I'd be with my guy, ending a week apart. I hoped I had the right clothes. We had talked frequently, he filling me in on what he was doing in his FL house to get it ready for me. Cleaning was the major project as the house had been closed up since April. While he talked about all the cleaning he was doing, I was recalling cleaning my granny's summer cottage on the rivah bank from the winter's closing. There were snake skins on the mantle, mouse nests in drawers and cabinets and more woodland critters' abandoned homes decorating the loosely secured cottage.
Knowing he is fastidious about his toys' cleanliness, I wasn't surprised about his activities. Thankfully he found time to get the 'little boat' in the water.
The ride from Ft. Lauderdale to Naples was long under the clear starry sky. Because it was midnight it seemed endless. And I was exhausted from a full work day and long travel. The adrenalin had run out. What a way to start a honeymoon.
At last he parked in the drive way, a cozy area surrounded by tall building, lush greenery, palm trees and orange, red and hot pink flowers blooming in the warm night air. A shell wreath welcomed me at the door.
"Welcome to our home and playground." Admiral said as we stood in the light airy foyer. "Let the honeymoon continue."
"And here's the dining room." he said, pointing to a table at one end of a large room, piled high with all things put away in cabinets for years. My heart sank. "I told you I'd been cleaning out. I didn't know all this stuff was packed away. I've pulled everything out of everywhere. You go through it and keep what you want and think you can use. The rest of it we'll get rid of." he stated matter of factly. Now I was overwhelmed. I'd never seen such a pile of stuff, not one bit different from what was stashed around my house.
Fatigue took over. The tour ended when I said "I'm worn out. I can't go another minute."
The next day that mountain was still there. I had no clue what to do. I thought I was here to play and this was not my idea of play. I went through every closet, cabinet and drawer to see what was left and useful. More things I added to the pile, praying the table wouldn't collapse.
"Admiral, come here. I'm not believing this." I hollered from the kitchen, looking at a complete set of Wedgewood Potpourri china. "These dishes were my wedding china! I didn't like them when I picked them out and I still don't like 'em."
"I don't like them either. Get rid of them." he said to my delight.
Boat rides, outings and get-away trips to Walmart were escapes from the daunting pile, whose disappearance had become my responsibility. "Let's get boxes at the grocery, fill them up and give it to Goodwill." I said.
Admiral agreed, 'Yea, this stuff needs to get outta here."
"It'll take us 5 trips to take this stuff away so get ready. We can do it in a morning." I said as cheerfully as I could.
"Hey, lots of this stuff belonged to my late wife and her brother lives 5 minutes away. Maybe he'll want it and see that her brothers and sisters get it." he said.
Several days later, Brother came, delighted to get so many of his late sister's belongings. After a grand visit with the delightful man, the table was clear when he left. I know I heard it breathe a sigh of relief with Admiral and me.
At last it was playtime. While walking on a white, sandy beach Admiral said "I've ordered your engagement ring. I designed it myself. I told you I'd do something different from the little ring you're wearing." Knowing how this engineer over-engineers things, my imagination went wild. "I hope there's some sparkle in it." I thought.
"If you don't like it, it can be changed." he continued. "Whew, thank heavens for that." I thought again.
Finally we were around long enough for a neighbor to visit. Curious about all the activity in the usually quiet house, Hawkeye was all eyes and comments in the short tour to see what had changed in the house. As we chatted in the kitchen, she asked how we met, how family was taking it, what plans there were for his Florida house. Eventually we learned more about each others' work and delight in free time to winter in such a lovely place. She asked, "If you've been single for 19 years, why are you marrying Admiral now?"
" Because he's the right man and I'm crazy about him." I answered emphatically. Admiral appeared around the corner and joined us, ending Hawkeye's inquisition.
After she left, I told Admiral about her relentless questions, especially asking why I accepted his proposal.
He replied " Oh, she was a best girlfriend to my late wife."
How do you move an airplane?
The table was ready. Getting put out was the cat’s reward for shamelessly chowing down at the shrimp bowl. Admiral was glowing as friends arrived to celebrate his birthday.
“Hey, what’re you doing in town now, man? Usually you’re outta here when snow’s on the ground.” “Did you lose your mind when you met Smokie and forget that it’s cold here?” “I’m glad to meet this gal you’ve mentioned. I was wondering about her.” were some friend’s comments. They know how Admiral hates cold to the point the first snow flake sends him packing to warmer climates.
As we partied, Admiral announced “Guys, I need your help in the garage. I built this trailer to haul my airplane to the warehouse for the winter. Give me a hand to get the scrap wood on top of it.” Guys and wives piled into the garage, wowed by its order, cleanliness and bright blue sparkly floor.
“Hey, man! What’s with this glitzy garage?” “You’ve got a show place here.” “I don’t think Smokie’s going to allow you to spill oil on the floor and rebuild motors in here.” Admiral’s long time friends exclaimed. Setting their refreshments down, they lifted, heaved and hefted the wooden mess onto the trailer.
“Thanks, guys, for your help. Get another drink and eat some more. “ Admiral said as he admired the order returned to the garage, his most sacred territory.
“OK. Let’s gather around.” Admiral told guests later. “I want you to meet Smokie. She knows most of you and will soon know the rest of you. I’m delighted to say we’re getting married. No date yet. You’ll be the first to know after we do. “ He continued “ You’re wondering why I’m here in this dreadful cold snow. I’ve been getting treatments everyday and I couldn’t go anywhere til they’re over. I’m happy to say the last one is tomorrow. I’m not sure the machine is turned on as I’ve had no adverse effects. There is much to celebrate for all of us because we can stand up, drive, and think we’re in our right minds.” Agreeing, everyone cheered heartily, raising a toast to health and happiness.
A few days later as Admiral collected things for warm sunshine in Florida, we discussed a wedding date. “It takes time to plan a wedding, no matter the size. So let’s set the date and get the church and reception place booked. Then I know what we have to do and when.” I suggested.
“Good idea. Time can get away from us. Summer’s too bloody hot and we want to cruise up to Nantucket on the boat. Then it’s fall and I don’t want anyone on the road on Labor Day weekend.” he said.
As I got the calendar with our travel dates on it, I asked “What’s your favorite month?” “September.” he replied.
Looking at the calendar I exclaimed “ Gee, September's busy. Look at this! There are 2 weeks here in September open, beginning the weekend after Labor Day. What do you think?” I asked.
Surprised he said “Let me see that calendar.” Looking at it he grinned and said “Hey, 9-10-11 it is! Who’d’ve thought! That’s easy to remember.”
The church and reception were booked for September 10. Now there was serious planning to do.
I was clueless about today’s wedding customs. What better way to get the skinny on what to do and how and know questions to ask the experts.
So several days later we were at the Wedding Expo, a showcase of vendors that had even a slight hint of wedding in their services. Name tags labeled us Bride and Groom. Looking more like grandparents, we wandered the aisles with other Brides, Grooms and friends who didn’t look old enough to be driving. Attire ran the gamut: jeans, professional dress, and over the top tattoos displayed from too revealing clothing.
The music blared current love songs. “I can’t stand talking over loud music. You think some background music might be here?” Admiral asked.
Admiral was a trooper. He experienced a Freeze Frame booth for the first time, totally curious about how it all worked. While I talked to vendors, he stood, looking shell-shocked at the pregnant brides followed by pimply faced boys.
One event planner drew us in with casual conversation. “I see you’re the Bride and Groom. How nice. Have you set your date?” she solicited, her expression saying ‘Are you real?’
Admiral answered proudly “Oh, yes. Nine ten eleven.”
She continued “That’s very soon. “
Admiral quipped “At our age we can’t tarry. We’ve set the church and reception, too.”
“And where are they?” she asked, ready to close the deal.
“We’re getting married at St. James’s Episcopal Church followed by the reception at the Country Club of Virginia.” he stated.
She replied “Well, aren’t you the King and Queen!”
“Hey, what’re you doing in town now, man? Usually you’re outta here when snow’s on the ground.” “Did you lose your mind when you met Smokie and forget that it’s cold here?” “I’m glad to meet this gal you’ve mentioned. I was wondering about her.” were some friend’s comments. They know how Admiral hates cold to the point the first snow flake sends him packing to warmer climates.
As we partied, Admiral announced “Guys, I need your help in the garage. I built this trailer to haul my airplane to the warehouse for the winter. Give me a hand to get the scrap wood on top of it.” Guys and wives piled into the garage, wowed by its order, cleanliness and bright blue sparkly floor.
“Hey, man! What’s with this glitzy garage?” “You’ve got a show place here.” “I don’t think Smokie’s going to allow you to spill oil on the floor and rebuild motors in here.” Admiral’s long time friends exclaimed. Setting their refreshments down, they lifted, heaved and hefted the wooden mess onto the trailer.
“Thanks, guys, for your help. Get another drink and eat some more. “ Admiral said as he admired the order returned to the garage, his most sacred territory.
“OK. Let’s gather around.” Admiral told guests later. “I want you to meet Smokie. She knows most of you and will soon know the rest of you. I’m delighted to say we’re getting married. No date yet. You’ll be the first to know after we do. “ He continued “ You’re wondering why I’m here in this dreadful cold snow. I’ve been getting treatments everyday and I couldn’t go anywhere til they’re over. I’m happy to say the last one is tomorrow. I’m not sure the machine is turned on as I’ve had no adverse effects. There is much to celebrate for all of us because we can stand up, drive, and think we’re in our right minds.” Agreeing, everyone cheered heartily, raising a toast to health and happiness.
A few days later as Admiral collected things for warm sunshine in Florida, we discussed a wedding date. “It takes time to plan a wedding, no matter the size. So let’s set the date and get the church and reception place booked. Then I know what we have to do and when.” I suggested.
“Good idea. Time can get away from us. Summer’s too bloody hot and we want to cruise up to Nantucket on the boat. Then it’s fall and I don’t want anyone on the road on Labor Day weekend.” he said.
As I got the calendar with our travel dates on it, I asked “What’s your favorite month?” “September.” he replied.
Looking at the calendar I exclaimed “ Gee, September's busy. Look at this! There are 2 weeks here in September open, beginning the weekend after Labor Day. What do you think?” I asked.
Surprised he said “Let me see that calendar.” Looking at it he grinned and said “Hey, 9-10-11 it is! Who’d’ve thought! That’s easy to remember.”
The church and reception were booked for September 10. Now there was serious planning to do.
I was clueless about today’s wedding customs. What better way to get the skinny on what to do and how and know questions to ask the experts.
So several days later we were at the Wedding Expo, a showcase of vendors that had even a slight hint of wedding in their services. Name tags labeled us Bride and Groom. Looking more like grandparents, we wandered the aisles with other Brides, Grooms and friends who didn’t look old enough to be driving. Attire ran the gamut: jeans, professional dress, and over the top tattoos displayed from too revealing clothing.
The music blared current love songs. “I can’t stand talking over loud music. You think some background music might be here?” Admiral asked.
Admiral was a trooper. He experienced a Freeze Frame booth for the first time, totally curious about how it all worked. While I talked to vendors, he stood, looking shell-shocked at the pregnant brides followed by pimply faced boys.
One event planner drew us in with casual conversation. “I see you’re the Bride and Groom. How nice. Have you set your date?” she solicited, her expression saying ‘Are you real?’
Admiral answered proudly “Oh, yes. Nine ten eleven.”
She continued “That’s very soon. “
Admiral quipped “At our age we can’t tarry. We’ve set the church and reception, too.”
“And where are they?” she asked, ready to close the deal.
“We’re getting married at St. James’s Episcopal Church followed by the reception at the Country Club of Virginia.” he stated.
She replied “Well, aren’t you the King and Queen!”
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