Aug 12, 2016 6 min read

…Well, here we are, in the second week of August, and I have to admit that I am a little depressed, because I have come to the realization that the summer will be soon coming to a close. Is it just me, or has this summer been flying by?

We are just mere weeks away from September and school will soon be back in session, and I have to be honest, as much as I love the fall season, the end of the summer really makes me sad.

I mean, I think about all of the summer activities that I swore I was going to do, but because of my hectic schedule at work as well as being a full-time dad, I didn’t get to do any of them. I didn’t ride the roller coasters at Kennywood, I didn’t put on a bathing suit and ride the water slides at Sandcastle. I didn’t enjoy a week-long getaway at Ocean City, and I didn’t even get to enjoy one of my all-time favorite summer traditions, attending Washington Wild Things baseball games.

Now that I think about it, my summer has consisted mostly of working at the Messenger and happily — but wearily — chasing after my nearly 4-year-old son Bryson. But you know what? There’s still some time. Time to make all those fun summer things happen. And I’ll really do them, whenever I can make time between work and being “Super Dad.”

(Okay, before I get yelled at by the wife, let me stress that I have enjoyed taking Bryson to many of the local events that have been offered this summer, so it admittedly has not been a totally “fun free” summer. We’ve gotten quite a kick out of seeing how much fun he had at these events. He has enjoyed the Jacktown Fair, Rain Day and other events, and he has had a terrific time at the Sky View Drive In and also at several pools. He loves the water so much that I am convinced we have a future lifeguard and “beach bum” on our hands.)

I don’t know about anyone else, but I just wish this summer season would slooooooow down. I’m not ready yet for the inevitable and impending doom of barren trees, colder weather, shorter days and gray skies. Besides, there are still so many things I’d like to do before we bid farewell to summer.

But if there is any consolation to fall rearing its chilly head, it’s knowing that there will be fewer outdoor chores that will need to be done. No more mowing grass, weed whacking or sweating through a wide variety of outdoor home improvement projects.

(Oh, who am I kidding? My wife admittedly does most of that stuff. Quite frankly, I think after 26 years together she is still afraid that ol’ clumsy me is going to seriously injure himself if I get anywhere near a blade or tool of any kind.)

I just realized that there are a few other consolations of summer coming to an end, including the start of the NFL season and the fact that my favorite holiday — Halloween — will be right around the corner. I am so pumped up for football to start, especially considering the fact that the very first Monday Night Football game is going to see my two favorite teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins, facing each other. And, there is a very real possibility that I might be going to that game.

(I am already being grilled by family and friends about who I’m rooting for during that game. Let’s just say that if I publicly profess who I’m cheering for I might have a few less friends.)

As for Halloween, well, faithful readers know how much I love the holiday and everything that is associated with it, including visits to local haunted attractions, taking our son trick or treating and watching classic horror movies. And the fact that local stores are already stocking Halloween candy is making me as giddy as a young kid.

Know what else is great about this time of year? The fact that my wife and I will be celebrating our anniversary. This Sunday, August 14, will mark our 23rd anniversary, and the more I think about how many years we’ve been together, the more it stuns me. After more than two decades of marriage, I am proud to say that I love her more this very minute than I did when I first said “I Do,” all the way back in 1993…And I’m amazed that she has put up with me all this time.

I think about when we first met, and wonder just what the heck she saw in me. I had long hair, wore an earring and ripped up jeans, and basically looked like an idiot, and somehow, she still fell in love with me. And with much regret, I think about the many times over the years when I acted like a jerk and treated her badly, and then it stuns me that she chose to forgive me, again and again.

And then I think about how many awesome moments we’ve shared together over the years, and it makes my heart glad. Too many wonderful memories to count, and yet I cherish each and every one of them.

I have repeatedly joked in this column that I think the only reason she is still with me is because she lost a bet, and sometimes I think that’s really true. … But the bottom line is, I couldn’t imagine my life without her, and very rarely does a day go by that I don’t thank God for blessing me with the most wonderful woman I could ever dream of spending my life with. And the best part? We will celebrate our anniversary with the greatest gift of all, our beautiful boy Bryson.

So, I will wrap this up by saying to Crystal, my best friend and soul mate for the past nearly 23 years of married bliss: Thank you for the many wonderful years we’ve shared, and here’s to growing old together and grower even closer with each passing day.

Happy Anniversary…