We did

[tedwords]

And so, on a hot day in Key West, on the second day of our cruise, we gathered together about 35 of our friends at the pier where the ship docked, took a fifteen-minute trolley ride, and at around 1:30 on a hot afternoon on Smathers Beach, finally got hitched. 

We did. 

For those of you who are long time friends on LJ, those brave warriors who have stuck it through and are still telling the kind of unfiltered stories you couldn't possibly tell on Facebook, yes, of course, Josie (aka "ljinsomnia") was along for the ride. How could she not be? She wanted to be the best man, which didn't happen (we were our own best men) but she and her boyfriend of 15 years Andrew went on the cruise and were there at the beach. Of course, all three kids were there, too.

Back in August 2002, almost sixteen years ago, I posted my first Live Journal entry. It was fairly short and sweet and went as follows:

"Okay, this is it...this is the time that I be truthful to myself, accept who i am, and be happy with it. For the past three years, I've been on a quest for truth, trying to discover who I am and to be happy and brave about that to others. The first two years were very unhappy times, punctuated by travels and adventures that I wouldn't give up for anything. Since last October, however, things have gone into hyperdrive, and I think that me and my partner have finally gotten to a place where we can accept things and try to move forward, without everything going unspoken. We'll see. Can I actually be brutally honest about my life? Can I sweep away the shadows?"

Sixteen years later, have I managed to sweep away those shadows? Most of them, I think. I certainly have grown happier with who I am. Of course, the "partner" I referred to in that entry is not the partner I have now, but at least Josie and I have gotten to a place where we are able to accept things. It hasn't always been easy, but honestly, I think we have always approached things with kindness and caring and managed to stay good friends and be good parents in the 16 years since I left the Homestead. Which is saying something.   

I started this journal under the name "nocompromises" As I have said for years, that's a lie, because of course, life, every day you live it, is full of compromises, unless you live a totally selfish and self-absorbed life. But it's the spirit behind that label that led me to take some chances and explore the opportunities that existed. And I am oh, so glad I did. 

What's surprising to me, as I look back on things, is how close Corb was to the start of this journey. Our story began 15 years ago, on a date to Providence and a night of talking that lasted til five in the morning and has at long last led to this day. 

And now, we are bound as one. On this journey together, officially. 

Life is good.