Dirt Cup

Today would have been my 21st wedding anniversary had I stayed married to Michael. It's difficult to even imagine now, that I was ever married to anyone other than Kevin.

Watching Apie graduate from high school, I realize how young I was when I got married the first time. I was 19. At her age, I was already planning a wedding. It is simply inconceivable now.

Different memories pop up now when I think of the first marriage.

I had a roommate, Jeff, whom I adored. I still miss him. There was zero romantic interest in each other, we just were really good friends. Any of my Jeff memories are fun and funny.

When I got married, many people were not supportive of the marriage. I unfortunately didn't know this at the time because they didn't step up.

One former boyfriend, professing his undying love for me years later, said that he nearly stood up during the "Does anyone know of any reason this man or woman should not be married."
I wish he would have stood up. It probably would have stopped the wedding and WOW, wouldn't that be the best story ever?

My friend Brad was crewing on a racecar that night. He attended the wedding but only the wedding and left the moment it was over in order to get back to the racetrack. He was wearing his crew-whites (white jeans & team t-shirt) to the wedding, much to my amusement.

I was nearly late for that wedding. My BFF at the time let me sleep in...sleep late and we nearly missed the photography portion of the day. My breakfast/lunch that day was a Happy Meal. I think now that she let me sleep purposefully, hoping to stop the wedding.

I wish I had the audio to the ceremony. The videographer messed it up somehow (omen?) and there was only audio. You can hear me sing-songing my vows:
"To have and to Hold
From this day forward
forever and ever"

But the audio wouldn't pick up the frequent gestures from the Pastor to look at Michael and not him....also, not a good omen.

As a person that believes in signs, I can see PLENTY of them now. They were everywhere, but I just ignored them.

So, this weekend, I remember my wedding. Not so much the marriage but the wedding. All in all it was a fun day. I have some great pictures and my friends have some great stories.

The reason this is called Dirt Cup is that is the name of the big race Brad was crewing on that year. It's the biggest race of the year here in Washington State for open wheel Sprint car racing.
And every year, it happens this weekend.

I should have gone to Dirt Cup instead.