The Contract

Eight years ago I entered into a contract with someone that I'd known for about six years, although on a personal level, only for one year. We had big plans, and seemed well-suited to be partners. Some of our friends, however, thought that we were very wrong and inappropriate, and told us so. That was the last we heard from them.

The day we signed our contract, I wore a new, homemade dress. I'd stayed up quite late the night before sewing the buttons on - all 30 of them up the back, while a bright fire crackled away beside me. The smell of Bailey's still brings me back to that night.

This partnership has been exciting, inspiring, maddening, hilarious, frightening, calm, stormy, and passionate. But what marriage isn't all those things? Yes, my marriage. Eight years ago I started the greatest thing I've ever done, and I plan to see it through.

Happy anniversary, Mr. Crabby. You're so stuck with me.