A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song. ~Maya Angelou

Huzband and I met in 6th grade. I moved to Wisconsin from California pretty much used to the whole moving from school to school, town to town, friend to friend.

As I remember him, he was a young Fred Savage circa The Wonder Years. We were fast friends what with both of us being precocious and gregarious. It probably helped that it was easy for me to make new friends. I'd just never been tested in keeping them. (Get it? I'm Nomad. Yeah, self-catogorize much?)

We went our seperate ways. Still in the same small school, but in our own circles. Mostly, it was girls in girl's circles and boys in their's. We'd see each other, but not talk. Huzband was climbing the popular tiers, while I was still waiting to move and be the "New Cool Kid" again. (Believe me, it happens.)

Flash forward to high school. Still a small school. Still not on each other's radar. Sometimes we'd be in a play together. Sometimes the same class or extra curricular club.

When we graduated, there were so many people I never expected to see again. I didn't give much thought to Huzband, but if I had then, I would have put him that group.

Move forward a few more years to 2000. I'm out partying "with the girls" at a funky, dark dance club/bar called The Cardinal. We were exiting en mass. Someone coming in asked sarcastically, "Is there a fire!?!"

"Yeah, a fire. Ooooh," I responded quickly. (Not my wittiest comeback.)

Then from another source, more sarcasm, this time in falsetto, "Ooooooh!"

This person was mocking me! Whipping around, I found myself exclaiming "(First name-Last name)!!?

My brain raced, did I know this guy? And as I realized that I just said his name, I wondered, did I remember his name correctly? And then we were hugging.

I gave my car keys to my friends and told them to go on without me, after rushed introductions were made. (We were still in the entance way, blocking traffic.) That split-second decision changed my life.

Later that night, I found out that Huzband was celebrating his birthday. He and his friends were just heading home, when Huzband decided he wanted to stop in and check out the bar we coincedentally were just leaving.

AllAroundPsycho drove me home with Huzband sitting chivalrously in the back, while I sat shotgun. (Good ol' Jimmy.)

From the moment we saw each other that night, the chemistry was intense. Confusion roared in my brain. I *knew* who this was, but he was still a stranger. As I jumped out oh the car, Huzband went to take the front seat. As we passed each other, I went to hug, instead we kissed.

We'd already exchanged numbers back at the club, so I dazedly went towards my apartment, only later realizing that since I had given my keys to my girlfriends I had no way of getting in.

In a confused and happy state, I lay down on the bench in the mailbox area of my secured apartment building to wait for my roommate to come home. As I dozed, I tried to comprehend what just happened. I tried to connect the two images I had of Huzband in my head. The school-friend and the person I'd just finished kissing.

To summarize the following months, we were inseperable. It was weird. I didn't mind being away from him, but I also didn't mind being near him. Don't laugh. I wanted my space with other guys, but it wasn't like that with Huzband.

Our relationship started so quickly. It was so emotional. I knew I loved him within a month. I was scared of that. Huzband felt the same way. I don't think he was as scared, since he played with my emotions. Liking to see me panic at the L-Word.

(Scene: Smokey dim bar, Huzband and I are listening to a loud, live band. He leaned forward to say something. I couldn't hear him, but I could watch his lips, hoping to decipher his words.
I love you.
He laughed at the terror that must've shown on my face. He got closer and explained, "I said, 'elephant shoe'.")

Still, more months goes by. We move in with each other. Christmas 2001 2000 was particularly hard on us financially, so we vowed to have our Christmas on Valentines Day, since neither of us cared for that holiday much. We figured we'd take the day off from work, go shopping, buy gifts for each other at that time, when it was more likely we'd be able to afford it.

On that Valentine's Day, 2001 Huzband proposed. It being Valentines Day, there were no nice restaurants available, so we celebrated at Denny's. I showed my engagement ring to a gas station attendant. We got the ring resized. Uh, yeah. I said yes.

Since that time, Huzband was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, we got married June 2002, we've moved a few times, family members have died and others have been born. We have two kitties. No plans for kids anytime soon. We have our disagreements. We have long periods of no sex, then lots of bunny-sex. He inspires me with his kindnesses and humor. He makes me laugh with his point of view. We'll sing made-up songs so loudly together in the car I'm sure people driving along side us can here us.

I love him. I'm crazy about him. Every cliche in the book, (except for the crap about I'd die if he wasn't around) is true.

Happy Valentines Day.