The Summer of Love

Life is nothing if not for the special people in it.  The people we know, the people we grew up with and the people who move us.  For all of our gadgets, life remains about the time spent together, face to face time, carrying on an actual conversation instead of hiding behind the emotional safety and protection afforded by glass.  Life is about moments together and creating memories that last a lifetime.  It's about bonding and telling those closest to us that we actually love them. 

This summer is not yet over.  Labor Day is still two weeks away but the events of this summer have defined it as one of the most special summers and most special times of my life. 

Summer begins on Memorial Day weekend.  Jason was over and was scheduled to stay from Saturday into Sunday.  Heading into that weekend he wanted so badly to stay for two nights.  I did too; two opportunities for bedtime stories and extra time with my little man is always incredible.  Maureen was in town that weekend and the Jones Beach Air Show performers were taking off and landing a few miles away at Republic Airport.  That Sunday was magical watching the planes come and go, including an CF-18, which is kind of like an F-18 but Canadian.  After watching the planes, we drove to Port Jefferson, which is a beautiful town on Long Island's North Shore.  We were going to meet Natalie after eating dinner there and she was going to take Jason home.  That's always a bummer kind of feeling at the end of our weekends together.  And then as we were eating dinner at Salsa Salsa, Natalie texted, "You can have Jason tonight if you drive him home by 1:00pm tomorrow."  Awesome!  An extra 18 hours might not seem like a big deal but that text lifted the bummer feeling, Jason's face lit up and it quickly became a festive night and our frozen yogurt seemed sweeter.  The perfect start to summer.

A few weeks later, Jason and I blasted off, with the help of a Southwest jet, for our annual Florida invasion.  Two women were waiting for us upon our arrival in Disney World - Trouble 2 and Trouble 2's Momma.  It was a great week that included time with Papa Jerry and Grandma Janis (welcome to the blog!) and the Dave Matthews Band.  As always, it was a special week that found us boarding a jet heading north all too quickly.  But it was a week full of created memories. 

The following weekend after returning from Florida, Maureen and I boarded a bus to Bethesda, MD, to visit my friend Tab (welcome!) and the Dave Matthews Band (two shows in 10 days!).  It was the first meeting between my girlfriend and closest friend. 

 

They seemed to hit it off in the pit pre show.  It was a great time, a weekend of laughter and catching up.  The concert itself was amazing.  It was Tab's 40-something show, my 13th and Maureen's 3rd.  The house lights went down moments after this picture was taken and the band opened what was an epic show with Ants Marching.  Maureen got her two favorites, Grey Street and You and Me.  And the band played some rare favorites such as Long Black Veil and Spoon. 

Through Twitter, we learned that Boyd Tinsley, the band's violinist, would be meeting fans following the show in the vicinity of our hotel.  Boyd plays some of the sweetest and most soulful music you'll ever hear.  My own personal favorite DMB song is Lie in Our Graves, a song that reminds you that you only have one shot to get things right while here on earth.  Boyd's solo is magical and when you hear him play it live, it's close to a religious experience.  As an example, click on this link and enjoy:

Boyd Working His Magic

It poured during the show (when we were covered) and continued after the show (when we weren't).  So the walk to Boyd's gathering was a wet one.  But one very well worth it.  Now keep in mind that this band's last six albums debuted at #1 on the charts and they're the highest grossing live act in the world.  So there is little reason for someone like Boyd to meet his fans following a 2:45 killer show.  Except that he is a real guy and loves his fans.  He spent time with everyone who showed up.  He took pictures, signed autographs and spoke with everyone.  And he took a picture with us!

Simply awesome!

I was 39 in that picture but am 40 now and in between there was a surprise party orchestrated by Maureen and my Mom (welcome!).  It was truly a surprise.  I thought Tab was heading to California - he had a ticket to the Mets-Dodgers game in LA that Monday.  What a ruse!  It was a special and memorable occasion shared with those who make this life special and fun.  Kerry, Dean, Kelly, Bob, Tom, Chris, Cliff, Kristy, Uncle Marty, Tom and Rhonda...and my boy were all present! 

 

Kerry sitting with one in the oven, Kelly, Bob, me and Dean

 

 

Chris, Tab, me and Tom

 

So for all the people in this post, I want to express my thanks.  You make my life exciting, adventurous, fun and amazing, and I love you for it.

 

How does one end such a summer?  Simple.  You end a long distance relationship that spanned eight states and lasted for three years.  And you shorten the distance from 1,000 miles to several inches.  Welcome back to NY, Maureen! 

 

 



Love you, baby!  Forever and a day!