Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Happy St. Patricks Day


Today is the celebration of all things Irish. People all around the world will be wearing green, dying their rivers the emerald color, drinking a toast or two to the Irish in all of us. Gareth and I are going to watch the parade today in Dublin city centre at noon with a few of our friends.


The weather was miserable when I picked Gareth up from the airport on Monday. I was feeling a little better than the day before, but still very tired as I waited in the airport for him to arrive. But as tired as I felt, I knew he would be even more tired from his long journey. When I saw him walking towards me with one bag slung over his shoulder and the other trailing behind him, I couldn't help but suddenly feel alive and I rose quickly to meet him. When he noticed me walking towards him, the tired look on his face turned into a smile and he seemed to sigh a bit as he realized he was finally home from his long journey. I grabbed the bag from his shoulder, slung it over mine and with a quick hello and a wink we walked towards the car.


Once in the car, we took a moment to just hold each other close and have a few small kisses before heading home. As I drove the car he rested in the seat next to me with his eyes closed and his hand on my leg. Sitting at red lights he would open his eyes and we would interlock our fingers with each other. Feeling the touch of his fingers against mine reminded me of how long its been since we've been together. I wanted to run through the red lights and get home as fast as possible and get him undressed so I could feel the warmth of his skin next to mine.


When we pulled up to the house, I thought since we had gotten married in South Africa, I should carry him over the threshold. Leaving his luggage in the car, we walked up to the front door. My plan was to give him the keys, have him unlock the door and then I would pick him up the best I could (he is taller than me) and carry him inside. But as he unlocked the door he turned and quickly grabbed for me and tried to pick me up! Apparently he had the same idea for me. So we stood there for a moment grabbing unsuccessfully at each other until we found ourselves sitting next to the open doorway laughing. Our cats came running over and we each held one as they greeted Gareth on his return. We noticed one of our nosey neighbors staring at us from behind her curtains. Realizing we needed to get inside since we were causing a scene, and not wanting to let the other one carry the other inside, we decided to just roll inside at the same time, which we did. After shutting the door, we laid there for a moment laughing and talking of how the neighbor probably thinks we've gone crackers.


As we laughed, our fingers found each other again and I slid myself next to him and we kissed. I put my hand down to steady myself as I leaned over him and put it on a cat toy making it squeak, which made us start laughing again as we kissed. At this point the phone rang and it was my boss asking me to call him right away on an issue, the cats were circling us like sharks for their dinner, and Gareth said he really had to piss. So the romance was put on hold.


Gareth got a shower and shaved as I made dinner and called my boss. Then Gareth did the dishes and checked in with the hospital while I got a shower. Finally all cleaned up and with all chores done, I wrapped my towel around my waist and walked out to Gareth who was sitting in just his boxers on the couch reading. He threw his paper to the side when he saw me standing in front of him wearing just a towel, still kind of wet. I straddled his lap, pressed my chest against his and kissed him. I loved the feeling of his naked skin against mine. After a few kisses I held out my closed hand. Opening my hand with his, he saw I held our two real wedding rings in my hand. Neither of us really wanted to take off the wire rings we made in South Africa that day, but we decided to put them in a frame and hang them on the wall of our bedroom as a reminder of that day.


Putting our rings on, we whispered I love you to each other and after many miles of separation and seemingly endless days we finally spent the night as a married couple. It didn't take us long to get into the married life routine since he spent most of yesterday at the hospital and got home late. I had worked late myself on a project at work and fell asleep on the couch when I got home. Gareth brought hamburgers home with him last night, we ate them, watched some telly and fell asleep on the couch. In the middle of the night, I woke up, then woke him up and turning the TV off, we fell onto the bed face down and quickly back to sleep. The only romance was holding each others hand in the middle of the bed, with one leg draped over the others as we fell asleep, one on each side of the bed.


With today being St. Patricks Day, we're sharing the day with friends by going to the parade and then to a few parties. It'll be a great day to share some laughs, music, stories, and drinks with my Dublin friends, but in my heart throughout the day I will also be remembering my friends from distant shores and I'll drink a toast to you.


May those that love us, love us.
And those that don’t love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if he doesn’t turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we’ll know them by their limping.

13 comments:

David said...

Happy Saint Patricks Day to you and Gareth and all other Irish friends. I'm ready to drink some green beer.

Beth said...

Nice post of what gay love is, which isn't anything sinful or evil in my book.

Anonymous said...

HAHA, love that toast. Awesome.

Anonymous said...

So romantic!!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

WranglerMan said...

Bid me discourse, I will enchant thine ear,
Or like a fairy trip upon the green, Or, like a nymph, with long dishevell'd hair,
Dance on the sands, and yet no footing seen:
Love is a spirit all compact of fire, Not gross to sink, but light, and will aspire.

archuletapatrick said...

Great toast, and a Happy Saint Patrick's to you both, as well a everyone one else celebrating.

Y said...

Happy St. Patrick's Day !!!

Hoping in some year I can be celebrating in Ireland instead of Canada...

I read your blog more than once, it's making me realize that one day I will be able to experience a different and beautiful country.

P.S. And the pics are a big plus too ;)

gerryb said...

I love you guys, and I never tire of reading about you and yours. May God hold you all in his heart and gladden your days, as you sometimes gladden mine. Beautiful
pictures.

Jen said...

Love you. Miss you much.

Bryan S. said...

New to your blog and I was listening to your profile the song, "Siuil A Ruin" and then read this story...and I was like....Awwwww, I think I'm going to cry. Love them Gay Irish boys!! So Romantic!"

Can't wait to read the rest of your blog.

Josh said...

Such wonderful love. I hope you have many many years to enjoy as a married couple.

Pedders said...

I'm glad you have been able to spend some time with Gareth.
Good to know you are both happy! =)

Rachel said...

As always, your writing is so wonderful! I could perfectly picture the scene at the door. And I have to admit, I was a bit jealous of your nosy neighbor as I would have loved to have seen such a sweet moment.