The one where I brag about my [other] husband

A while back, I did a post on things I love about my husband. And all of those are undeniably true. My husband is the love of my life, and I don't know where I would be without him. I certainly wouldn't be the person I am today. Now, let me tell you about someone else who is a part of my life and happens to be pretty special in his own right. In more than one previous post I've mentioned my closest friend David. In this post, I'm going to brag about him. You've been warned, people with the wrong idea!

I have been friends with many different kinds of people. I was the girl in high school who didn't have a problem speaking to anyone, because while I [thought] I had a group of friends, I wasn't one of those "exclusive" types. I was part of multiple groups in college, too. And while most of those groups slowly faded away and I have really fond memories and lasting friendships from UNC (hello, TNDG friends! love you!), when Johnathan and I moved back to Lincolnton my [local] friend tank was running pretty low.

I met David when he was late to the first meeting for new faculty of the 07-08 school year. I remember thinking in my most judgmental inner monologue what kind of jerk rolls in late to the first meeting in the entire district?! And before I could think, that guy sat down next to me. Really?!

So I look at his name tag, and quickly remember that my new principal at the time had told me to call the new band director at the school, because "you're young, he's young, maybe he'll let you help out with his new program". So I had called, multiple times, trying to get in touch with him. Do you think he returned my calls? Responded to my voicemail? No. Needless to say, I had a few words for this guy.

I ask him "are you the new band director at school?"

"Yeah" he says.

"Well," I say, "I have a bone to pick with you." I proceed to tell the story about how hard I've worked to get in touch with him.

"Um," he says, "I don't know how to check my voicemail." We shared a laugh, and have been friends ever since.

I told you that story to tell you this one: I love to watch David work. I cannot tell you what an incredible teacher/leader he is. Yesterday, we took the band to Avery HS in the mountains of North Carolina. Right after warm up the students gather to get pumped up before going on the field. The seniors spoke about pride and the tradition that has followed this school's band program for many years. Then David started to speak. And let me tell you, if I were one of his band students, he could have gotten me to walk into rush hour traffic. Yes, he's that good. And as he said yesterday after awards, "you're a little biased". And I am. Because he's amazing as a band director, incredibly talented as a musician, and truly gifted as a teacher. I really hope that one day I do my job half as well as he does his.

I bet you were thinking I was going to write something really sappy about how close we are and how people typically ask [including yesterday] how long we've known each other and when I answer 3 years they are shocked because it seems like we grew up together. And while I did just work that in [grin], that wasn't my point. My point was to brag about his abilities and brag about his success. And of course by doing that I brag that he's part of my life, and anyone who doesn't value him as I do is foolish in doing so.

So that's it for now on the subject of my [other] husband, who I love as if he's the older brother I never had. Who looked out for me when my husband was out of work, who cooked dinner for us when Johnathan was sick, and who surprises me with office supplies right when I'm running out of multi-colored staples and/or post-it notes. If all of the [bogus] friendships I've had were leading me here, then thank you for the mistreatment so I could appreciate this one.

One of my favorite relationships on television for many years has been Christina and Meredith on Grey's Anatomy. Because while the two of them have significant others and have struggled in other relationships, they always have each other. They each refer to the other as "my person", the person that they look out for beyond the one they love and marry. By definition, this is the closest friend someone can possibly have outside of a spouse. I am truly grateful that I have found my person, too.