How Lucky Can One Guy Get?

Around 12:20 p.m. or so on August 4th, 1979 Martha Mary Pratt and I were married.  My best man, Al Smith drove me to the chapel in my red convertible that morning, figuring no doubt, that I had too much on my mind to to get behind the wheel.  Naturally, his wife--of 13 days--Margo attended the service as well.

Thirty-one years later, Martha, Al, Margo, and a red convertible are still part of my life.  The wonderful experiences that I've had and the friends that I've made during this past 31 years leave me pleasantly stunned.  How lucky can one guy get?

It is a testament of Martha's love for me that I will be spending our anniversary tonight on the New Market Rebels webcast platform calling the playoff game against the Haymarket Senators.  The funny thing is, I was watching baseball this night in 1979.  The Orioles were playing the Yankees in New York's first game after Thurman Munson's funeral and New York came back to win it 4-3.  (Of course, for some reason, I don't remember seeing the end of the game . . . )  We are comfortable being apart on this day because Martha and I have lived long enough and been married long enough to know that an actual anniversary does not turn back time.  Other moments, do though.  When the sunlight catches Martha's hair and it glimmers all golden-red or when she smiles that truly happy smile that makes her eyes sparkle, thirty-one years fall away in a flash and it's 1979 all over again.

Yes, I'll be in the broadcast booth tonight, but as many of you know, we visited New Market on our honeymoon and have spent a great deal of time there since. Therefore, and with apologies to Irving Kahal, tonight, Martha:

I'll be seeing you in all the old familiar places

That this heart of mine embraces

All day through

At Pak's ice cream stand

On Congress Street hand in hand,

The bleachers at Rebel Park,

You'll hear my voice, you have my heart.

I found you in this morning's sun

And when this night is new,

I'll be looking at the moon,

But I'll be seeing you.

Happy Anniversary.

Everyone but the convertible.

Comments

[terri pratt]

Oh, that was beautiful, Austin. I remember that red convertible.
I rode in it once ~ to an Orioles game with you and Marth!
Happy Anniversary to both of you!
Love, Terri

[Kim brown]

That was beautiful!!! Happy Anniversary :)

[Jennifer]

Wonderful post :)

[Martha]

Thank you, Austin. What a beautiful tribute, and I want you to know that I feel exactly the same way when I look in your eyes. Happy anniversary, Sweetheart!