Bobina's Birthday

I walked through the San Diego Airport with a lot on my mind. Then something profound struck me. The taco stand smelled terrific. The meat was fresh, the shells snapped briskly, and the tomatoes were perfectly ripe. An older spanish man smiled and asked me how many I wanted. I swallowed hard, and said "give me a minute, please" and walked near the bathrooms. I pulled out my cell phone and made the most significant phone call of my life.

My divorce was bad. I'll leave it at that. My now seven year old daughter Lyla, aka Bug, was the center of my life for her first 4 years. I fought for her til my heart bled.

In November 2007, I called my boss and told him I couldn't take his offer of a two year opportunity in Southern California, doing what it is I do for a living. At the time, it was because I didn't want to be without my daughter for 9 months out of a year. I didn't have the foresight to realize it was also because I wouldn't meet her.

Today is not known around my house as April Fools Day, it's known as Deana "Bobina"'s Birthday. I'm 40, she's six and a half years younger, you do the math. Six months after my San Diego Airport phone call, I met Bobina through some friends. We ate salads at Chili's, talked a lot, checked each other out like panting puppies, and fell in love immediately. She's the center of my life now. Bobina is my best friend, lover, and mother to my now three daughters.

I know a lot of you want to read about a lot of stuff other than how much I dig my wife and kids. Sorry to disappoint. I love my wife and treasure my daughters. I try not to forget, but sometimes I don't recall right away, how huge that decision I made in San Diego, turned out to be. Yeah, for at least two years, I would have been living in great weather, making more money, and maybe be more accomplished in my job; but I wouldn't have Bobina or Tay or the Goose. They make my life a lot wealthier.

We took Bobina out to one of her favorite places to eat last night. Today is filled with Goose taekwondo, the other parents picking up our kids, Tay's cheerleading tryouts for her high school, and Bobina working at her job til 6pm. That's how some good moms/wives "celebrate" their birthdays.

I know you read every word of this place, Bobina. So, Happy Birthday, Beautiful. Thanks for making me glad I turned down surfing on a Friday after work. I'd rather eat pizza and contemplate yard work with you, any day of the week. I'm the luckiest man alive.

I never did try one of those tacos. They looked good.



Today's song is something Bobina likes. If it wasn't her birthday, I wouldn't be caught dead listening to this, must less youtub(e)ing it. This better get me something I like....Music snobbery takes a day off, one day a year, for Bobina's Birthday.

Here's something she loves almost as much as me (sarcasm) -