Lucky 13
WOW!! It has been a REALLY long time since I have written. I spent a week at the beach with my family where we had an amazing time! And then, we spent a week in Northern Kentucky at the state D.A.R.E. conference where I learned a lot, and got to do some teaching as well. And, then I have just been lazy. Just haven’t gotten around to posting anything. No excuses…just stories.
But, today, I was thinking about the number 13. Seems odd doesn’t it (well it IS an odd number…don’t ya know). Ba-Dum-Bum! Wow…sorry. Triskaidekaphobia = a really long word that means an irrational fear of the number 13. I didn’t make this up. It’s really a concern for some people.
For example, I was told in a history class in high school that the number 13 is considered so unlucky, that you will very rarely find a staircase with 13 steps. Now, I wish I had never learned this, because I have counted (in my head) most staircases since. I little OCD, I know. But, I can tell you that I have very rarely found a set of stairs with 13 steps. Ours here at home is a very lucky 14 steps. My brother’s new house however is the exception. He has 13 steps…BE CAREFUL! (later today, when you count stairs, you can think of me…you’re welcome)
I mentioned earlier, that we went to the beach a couple of weeks ago. While there, we had a beautiful view from our 14th floor balcony overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Our condo was #1410. Which was, as I mentioned earlier, on the 14th floor which was right between the 12th and 15th floors. That’s right, no 13th floor! This is not the first building I have seen that lacked a 13th floor.
I don’t have any idea why this number is so despised. I looked it up on Wikipedia, and there are many different possible origins for the dislike of this number, but no real conclusion.
So, why all this talk about the number 13?
Because, 13 years ago this past Monday, I married my best friend. And, no matter whether you are superstitious or not, I really like the number 13. Next year, I will be a big fan of the number 14 for those of you who are following along! But, seriously, 15 years ago, God saw fit to set me up on a blind date through a friend of mine. So, on a Thursday night in early April of 1995, I agreed to meet a girl named Greta and we were going to spend the evening with a bunch of mutual friends. My friend was dating her room-mate, but I had never met this girl. So, we spent the evening together, and I learned that Greta worked at Rite Aid while attending Eastern Kentucky University (which is also where I went). The next day was the beginning of Lil Sibs weekend at EKU, and I was supposed to drive to Cincinnati to pick up my little brother. So, I thought I might ask my new friend, Greta, to ride along.
I went to Rite Aid, with my speech all prepared. Something like, “if you want, you can go. I don’t blame you a bit if you don’t want to. I know, you are busy. Probably have homework, or you have to wash your hair, or you have better things to do than hang out with me, blah, blah, blah”. But, to my surprise, she said, “If you can wait until I get off work, I’ll go”. I was floored! I didn’t have a speech prepared if she said yes, so I stammered something about pick you up when you get off work.
We spent over three hours in the car that night just talking. I had known her for about 24 hours at this point, and I was able to have a three hour conversation with her. Fast forward almost two years, and on June 21st, 1997, she married me, and made my life better than I ever thought possible. Fast forward another 13 years, and we are still able to ride in the car (over 20 hours on the Florida trip) and have amazing conversation. She still makes me laugh. She still is my best friend. And, she is responsible for the happiest 13 years of my life!
So, big, bad number 13…you don’t scare me. In fact, this year, you are my favorite number!
Here’s to many more years spent with the one God had in mind for me when he made me 35 years ago. Thank you doesn’t seem quite adequate enough, but it’s all I got. So, THANK YOU, God!
And thank you, Greta, for making me a better man, and giving me our amazing daughters, and agreeing to share life with me.
“Ordinary? No. I really don’t think so. Just a precious few. Ever make it last…get as lucky as, Me and You!”
I love you.
