Year 3, Day 22: Up the Mountain

Hello, Mrs. Butterfly.
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We are back from running up a mountain of trash.  Which, somehow, Virginia Beach has made beautiful.

Today, you taught me to run like a locomotive.  My stomach and guts can run faster than my feet and legs.  My core is my engine.

It is Day 22. 
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On Day 25, I will perform at the Funny Bone, here in town.  In a perfect world, the booker of the club will be there.  And he will see me perform.  And I will be comfortable, and fun, and funny.

Preparation will help the chances of that happening. 

On Day 26, I have my final tutoring session with one of my students, before their Final Exam.  In a perfect world, we'll have a positive and productive hour.  And he will be inspired, and feel less like his exam is a finish line, and more like it's a hurdle, in the middle of a race he is getting better and better at.

Preparation will help the chances of that happening.

On Day 28, I have a game with my new basketball team, The Neptunes.  In a perfect world, you'll come to the game, and you'll have fun, and you'll feel like Rosie Perez in 'White Men Can't Jump.'  Except without me losing all our money.

Preparation will help the chances of that happening.

On Day 29, I have two tests that will help determine whether I become a Virginia Beach City Public School teacher, for the 2016-2017 school year.  In a perfect world, I'll show up early, feel prepared, and pass both tests.

Preparation will help the chances of that happening.
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I have a lot of goals, for the upcoming week.  And the best thing I can do for us, and for all of our goals, is to prepare for this week.  To come up with a plan.  Because I don't want to wake up on Tuesday and not feel ready.

Part of the challenge of being self-employed -- as a comedian, a REALTOR, a personal trainer, an anything -- is being your own boss. 

I am optimistic that I can be a terrific employee this week, because I can be a terrific boss this week.

I love you, and I am so excited for this week together.

After this morning, it should be a piece of cake.

Year 3, Day 20: The 20 Hours Rule

Hello, Mrs. Butterfly.

I always want to have better news for you.  I want to tell you I've won the lottery. 

Or better yet, that I've gotten a job.
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I have what feels like 30 tabs open, on our computer.  Our browser is spinning on a hamster wheel, visiting the same 8 links over, and over, and over.  Praxis, Multiple-Licensure-Routes, Alternative-Licensure-Routes, Virginia-Licensure-Requirements, Application for a Virginia License, Assessment-Requirements-for-Virginia Licensure,

(deep breath,)

Praxis, Multiple-Licensure-Routes, Alternative-----

And around and around I go, somehow never feeling like I've made any progress.
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But perhaps the "20-hour" rule applies here. 

That's the one discussed in this video:

I will do my best with our one client, today.  We are 5 hours in.  I think he is 15 hours away from being a terrific math student.
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I think this can be a great benefit of a marriage, too.  Or an engagement, for the time being.  : )

He mentions in that video how easy it is, for us to overestimate the amount of time we've spent, trying to learn something.

No, wait.  Not "trying to learn something."  Because when we're "trying to learn something,"

that means we are learning something.
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I think if we keep track of how much time we learn Spanish together, we can get through the initial 20 hours.  We can use good humor, and mutual support, to enjoy the time that is usually the most frustrating.

I think if we stay positive, we can do great things together.

I think we already are.
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See you this afternoon.  Another 30 minutes, climbing up trash.

Let's listen to some Spanish tonight.  : )

I love you.

Year 3, Day 19: Hello, Mrs. Butterfly

Hi.  I decided to write you on here.  Because of what you said, over the weekend.  About the picture of me using our engagement ring as a resting place, for my microphone.

I guess you did know all along.  You knew that if we were going to fall in love (which we did, immediately), it would be a public romance. 

And you made your own decision, that you were willing to fight through those muddy waters, to get to a better place, together.
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And so here we are.  I am writing you a love letter, on the Internet.

Which is not new.  But doing it here, on my website, is maybe a little new.  Maybe a little more public. 

Especially since people are going to start finding it, more and more.  And making it a part of their daily routines.

Or not.
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Something Dragonfly said last night:  she gets tired, trying to keep up so many "social media sites."

I do, too.  I think that's been one of my issues, over the years.  I've tried to do too much.  I've tried to live too many different lives, on the Internet.

And to think:  this whole time, "the Internet" hasn't been real.
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I am more comfortable than ever, writing you love letters online.  Because in the real world -- the physical world -- you have a ring on your finger, and we are now on our way to marriage. 

Which is exciting.  More than exciting.

Part of me wants to keep every aspect of our relationship private.  And who knows -- I may make that decision, starting tomorrow. 

But you are a part of my life, and I am a part of yours.  And that is terrific, wonderful, and exciting news, to both of us.  And I don't apologize for that.  I instead choose to shout it from the highest rooftop.

Hmm.  Maybe it's time I do that, literally.  Maybe on Thursday, I should shout from the top of Mount Trashmore.  That I am in love.  And that I have found my Ride-or-Die Boo.

I found my wife. 

And her name is Mrs. Butterfly Turner.