What makes life divine

Today is my first wedding anniversary! That’s first as in one year, not first as in I plan to have another wedding. So today, like I am prone to doing on occasion, I’m going to talk about a loved one and how they related to my Disney world.

Almost immediately after I met Aileen I began suggesting a summer vacation to Walt Disney World. Part of me needed to know if she could be swept away by the magic, another part of me needed to know how we traveled together, and a big part of me just wanted to go on vacation. She had been to Walt Disney World with band in high school, but she had never really been to Walt Disney World. She wasn’t a huge fan, but she was willing to give it a try. I’d love to tell you that we didn’t fight at all on that first trip and that Aileen discovered that she loved visiting Walt Disney World, I’d love to tell you those things because that’s exactly what happened. As Bogart said, “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

However, to say that we never argue would be a bold-faced lie. We have had, and will continue to have, some terrific brawls. On occasion they even revolve around Disney. Most recently my penchant for Disneyana on eBay, but that is beside the point. We fight just as much as the next couple, but when we travel together, that seems to be one of those rare times when we both have the same agenda or work together to find common ground.

Aileen may not totally understand my passion for Disney, but she understands enough and internalizes all the facts, figures, and rollercoaster emotions I emit better than a lot of Disney spouses I’ve seen, heard, or read about. I think that part of her wants to fall head over slippers for the magic, but she also wants us to each have our own passions and hobbies, and the ears have long been claimed in our household.

The Main Street Gazette and all of the side projects I’ve started take up a lot of time. Putting in several hours after a 10, 12, or longer hour workday wouldn’t be so bad if it didn’t mean I was losing time with Aileen. There are times that I can get so wrapped up in what I am researching and writing about that I do not leave my office until it is well past time to go to bed. Aileen suffers these evenings with grace, but makes sure that I am aware that we are still newlyweds and that I should be spending just as much time basking in the light of her love as I do creating my own light of love for Disney.

Whenever I get to a breaking point, too much work, too much writing, too much of too much, Aileen is the one to pull me up, slap me around a little, and tell me that I can’t not do it just because I’m rundown. She knows that people count on me, and she makes sure that I know it too. So, all of you out there who enjoy your daily paper delivery have Aileen to thank. She keeps me grounded while still pushing me to reach for the stars.

I could not even consider doing what I do without her. Those of you who have had the chance to meet her know she is one of a kind, and know that she takes every opportunity she is given to bust my chops. She has shared just as much of the blood, sweat, and tears that I have put into all things Disney, and for that I am eternally grateful. She makes me laugh, can make me cry, she reminds me to be proud of myself, and carries me when my steps falter. Aileen is, without a doubt, the single most remarkable woman I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, and I am thankful every single day that she chooses to spend her days with me.

So, if you feel like wishing us a Happy Anniversary today, you should send your wishes to Aileen, because I already have enough joy in my life!