February 1st, 2008 by Jemaleddin Cole
February 1, 1999 was the happiest day of my life at that point, and the second happiest ever, after the birth of my son. Kellie and I did what we could with limited means: we bought her an asian-inspired white dress/pants combo, got a cake from Giant, and bought some liquor for a little party we had that night. We tied the knot at a courthouse and went out to Denny’s with Chad afterwards. I took the week off from work, and the two of us drove down to North Carolina, stopping at every hotel we could find along the way with a hot tub in the room. Not the world’s most amazing wedding and honeymoon, but we were crazy and in love.
Growing up the weird, awkward, geeky kid that I was, I never thought I’d get married. I just assumed that I’d never find anyone who would put up with me. Let’s face facts: I have some good qualities, but I’m easiest to accept in moderation. But Kellie loved me.
She loved me from the first time we spoke. I made a joke in this stupid bar where we met and she smiled, but covered her mouth, and I told her not to hide such a pretty smile. That started things off well. Later we were chatting in a Denny’s, and I quoted something from True Romance, and her whole face lit up. That was it for her: she was hooked.
I sincerely hope that I can spend February first every year with the same mixture of sadness, nostalgia, love and anxiety that I did today. I never want to lose sight of all the good and bad times we had. I never want to forget that once in a lifetime love that we shared.
Happy anniversary, sweetie.