She was a small little thing and a total fireball. That woman had a mouth on her that got me in more fights than I care to remember. Saying she was “lippy” was an understatement. Incredibly outspoken woman. But, I liked it. We dated in highschool and then got married.

We were married for 15 years and she gave me two kids. A son, David; and a daughter, Nicole.

We had married young. Her parents hated me. Looking back, I don’t really blame them. I didn’t exactly ask permission to marry their daughter; I just did it. The concept of “respect” wasn’t exactly on my high priority list back then; and well, Stacy didn’t seem to mind. In fact, me being “bad” seem to set well with that woman. She never had a problem with me being me. She always just rolled with it. I don’t remember ever questioning her loyalty. I always just knew she’d be on my side, no matter what; and back then I had given her numerous reasons to leave me standing alone, but she never did.

Which, was good, but never quite offered any hope of growth or change. So when me an a buddy of mine T-pee’d her parents place, it was no surprise why her parents hated me. I didn’t care for them either. They just seemed weird to me. I didn’t quite understand why they didn’t want some arrogant asshole dating their daughter. Oh….I totally get it now; but back then, that was the makings of a challenge in my brain. So I was dead set on marrying her.

At one point, her parents told her we could no longer see each other. So, we had to see each other on the “down low”. I remember sneaking over to her house while her parents were sleeping. Stacy was worried about it. Told me I’d never be able to sneak in through her window without waking her dad or tipping off the three dogs they had. But, I made it over ok; and she was at that window waiting for me. I tapped her on that bed that night, while her parents were asleep in their room. I say that now, because I figure the statute of limitations is well beyond any recourse of anything. So Pam, (My ex mother-in-law who hated me), if you’re reading this, in my defense….she let me in; and as much as I was up for resisting, there was no arguing with that woman. She wasn’t really the type to accept a no.

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But, as things would go, life happened. Married with two kids and the pressures of business, wore on both of us. She lost interest in me; and I couldn’t escape the feeling of the mundane. I stepped out. Call it youth, or ego, doesn’t really matter; there is no justification for doing what I did. What happened after that was justice. An eye for an eye. I had it coming. I hold no fault for her over it.

We’ve been divorced for over eight years now. But we have remained friends.

She never lied to me. Ever. And I never lied to her. Even through all the shit. We were always straight up with each other. I didn’t realize the value of that at the time. But I do now.

She’s got a new guy now. And I couldn’t be more happy. He is a good man. I really like him; and I’m glad she found someone who cares for her like she should be cared for. I’ve actually been hoping they’ll get married. He’s older and much wiser than I ever was. Took him Elk hunting with me last year. We stalked up on some Elk that we were just begging would grow horns. We really had a good time.

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Looking back, I don’t regret the time we spent together; or the two beautiful babies that came from our relationship. But I am truly thankful we have been able to maintain our friendship throughout all the crap that life throws at ya. And I couldn’t be more grateful to the man, that has accepted me, my ex, and our kids, as his own. He truly is an amazing man.

For me, things are how they should be. But I wanted to take this moment to say, “Thank you”. To the woman that put up with a lot of my shit in my youth; and to the man that has included me, in a life that he didn’t have to.

You two are truly great.

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