The Rest of the Story
/daniel mode on
January 1st, 1996 and I was cruising the AOL military bulletin boards, looking for information about a medal I might have earned in England. Perhaps you’ve read about it.
One thing I found that I had not expected to see was a post for a penpal. Heyred1 was the girl’s AOL screen name. Redheads have made me do the most silly things, so of course I wrote her a letter.
She lived in Dallas. I lived north of Sacramento, California. Welcome to Long Distance City, population us.
She wrote back. We wrote each other. We called each other. We rang up enormous AOL and long distance bills. For months we talked and talked. We talked about meeting! Excitement! Hormones! Yeeha!
And then a few days before Memorial Day, another friend of mine invited me to go with her to Disney Land. For the weekend. She was a redhead.
Remarkably, I declined.
That Saturday, the phone rang. It was Heyred1.
“GUESS WHERE I AM?”
“Inside?”
“NO! Well, yes, but GUESS AGAIN!”
“On the phone?”
“NOOOO!!”
“Yes you are. You’re talking to me.”
“Guess where I AM!”
“I have no idea. Just tell me.”
“The Red Lion Inn!!”
“That’s great.”
“THE RED LION INN!!!”
“You said that.”
“There are no Red Lion Inns in Dallas, you dumb@ss. We’re in the same ZIP CODE! Pick me up!”
…
She had flown to Sacramento. I had almost… ALMOST! gone to Disney Land, for the weekend, with another girl.
Talk about fate. And the ABSOLUTE NECESSITY TO COMMUNICATE TRAVEL PLANS!
We met. Enough said there.
She flew back to Dallas. We didn’t meet again for a month, when I flew to Dallas for a week.
A month later, she visited me again for a weekend.
Then, I got orders to Japan.
I arranged my travel plans so I would spend a week with Heyred1 on my way to my new assignment. The last night there, I took her to dinner at Reunion Tower, we had the nine-layer chocolate cake. It was really good!
And I left for two years…
Or so I thought.
I had been in Japan for thirty days, and it occurred to me… I left my wife back in Dallas. I had to fix that.
So I called her.
“Will you marry me?”
“Of course, you doofus!”
So I had some Power of Attorney paperwork created and shipped it off to her. She took my PoA, and the woman I had designated to stand in for me, to the Dallas County Courthouse. We were married by The Honorable Judge Fletcher Freeman – we know this because he had commemorative bumper stickers – on September 16th, 1996. Sort of.
You see, I was in Japan when the papers were signed in Dallas. Specifically, I was across the International Date Line. When I got married, it was the 17th; my wife and I have different wedding anniversaries. She’s not only older than I am, but she’s been married longer, as well.
We had been “dating” for nine months, we had met four times, and now we’ve been married for twelve years. She frequently calls me names, refuses to be nice to me, and generally flounces about in a massive redheaded aura of supremacy. I tell her she’s the worst wife I have, is always in my way, and is funniest at 1am when I’m trying to get some sleep.
And if my son ever does what I did, I’ll disinherit him.
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That calls for a playing of “Red Headed Woman” by Bruce Springsteen. The live version.
Great story BRK! Happy Anniversary to Mrs. BRK today, and to Mr. BRK tomorrow!
@ DanM: Better than “Redheaded Stranger” by Willie Nelson.
@ BRK: Awesome tale. Just goes to show that Long Distance Relationships do sometimes work out. And remember, without Mrs. BRK’s aura of supremacy you wouldn’t be where you are now.
D’aww!
My boyfriend and I have been long-distance for the past four years. If you hang in there, it can work out! This I know. I also know that playing WoW together is a great way to deal with the distance ;P
(We met on the internet. Geektacular!)
D’aaaw :3
Congrats to you and Mrs. BRK, and many more happy years.
Wow.
I didn’t even know you could get married by proxy, but I suppose not knowing that saved my ass more than is hindered anything.
Uhh…
I hope this doesn’t give TJ any ideas…
edit: Oh! OH! Happy anniversary, Mr. & Mrs. BRK. Here’s to many more!
Is that picture of Mrs. BRK?
that’s a really great story
Sure enough is.
Happy Anniversary!
Looks like somebody specced for Spirit Bond way back when…
Awwwwww ^_^
Me and my BF met online and “dated” for 6 months, flying 700 miles back and forth, visiting each other every month. Finally, I realized I had nothing better to do than move up there with him! So here I am, from the hot South to the arctic North, with him! Long distance doesn’t mean a thing
grats man!
That’s a great story. I’m happy for you guys!
Unfortunately, here in Europe it is now the 17th, so I guess I missed hers, but as it’s still the 16th in the US I guess I kinda didn’t anyway…
Oh what the hell, BIG GRATS to the both of you!
What a great story! Happy Anniversary to you both!
OMG, BRK, you keep writing things that make me tear up…stop it! I am a Dwarf, we are not sentimental, well, except when drunk, OK, most of the time.
Seriously, sweet, sweet story. May you have many more years of happiness.
Great story! Congrats on the 12 years and here’s to many many more!!
What a lovely story.
Congratulations guys, you’re very lucky
Gratz on your anniversary!! My husband and I celebrated our first year anniversary yesterday and Hurricane Ike sure made it memorable. We almost had to celebrate it at Sonic Burger. lol
Congrats again and many, many more happy years!! <3
Great story, congratulations on the 12 years.
Happy anniversaries, M&M BRK’s! Mr. BRK, is there anything you do that’s … ordinary?? I hope not!!
Congrats BRK and condolences to Mrs BRK
Many more happy ones to you two “I tell her she’s the worst wife I have….” Now that cracked me up. Thats much better then my, “this is my 1st wife…”
W
Awesome story BRK, and gratz ^^ ^^
Reunion Tower is a marvelous place to have dinner, and that was a wonderful story, BRK. Good to know a little bit more, hehe.
Happy anniversary to both of you. =3
Also, good story.
Your WP-Spam Free program and I don’t like each other. grrr
Apparently MrsBRK doesn’t mind that she’s your worst wife nor…mind you. Which is good in both cases…
For you.
And her.
Congrats and you two have a great anniversary, both days.
Great story. Congrats to both of you, today and tomorrow!
Gratz man, my wife and I celebrated our 15th on the 10th of Sep, very similar courting/marriage except I was actually there for the honeymoon…
Hehe, this explains the late posting of the story. Big grats to you both! You know she’s something when not only will she marry you in proxy, but she’ll also put up with your Wow addiction for years after.
that’s what i love about BRK.net, you share awesome, entertaining stories.
.
even when you’re writing about the fact you have nothing to write about, it’s still a good read (refering to the latest “server is down” stuff).
congrats on your anniversary, both of you. and remember that you have the option of celebrating it on both days
That is definately one of the most warm stories so far. It made me smile in that “damn I’m happy for you” kinda way.
And Mrs BRK certainly is pretty too. She certainly is the worst wife you have, but then again you are the worst husband she has… or so I hope.
BRK,
I love you.
Olaffsen
Looks at photo of Mrs BRK. Remembers images of BRK. Thinks, damn, BRK sure outpunted the coverage!!!
Long distance can indeed work. My wife and I are proof. Had 8,000 miles between us!!!
Hurricane Rita put Mr. Annas on my couch in Waco for a week, back when he was just my best friend who lived really far away. 3 years later, he and I got to evacuate for Ike, with our 4-legged family members.
Long distance does definitely work!
Happy Anniversary and many more to you both – at nearly midnight on Sept 16 in Dallas – as close to the split as I’ll get!
Happy Anniversary, happy anniversary, happy anniversary…
haaaaapy anni-ver-sa-ry!
Happy Anniversary to the both of you! Proxy marriage, what a thing!
Happy Anniversary to you both, and many more.
About four and a half years ago I was invited out for home cooked Tacos and DVD movies by a chat friend of mine. We hadn’t even talked on the phone yet. I wound up spending the weekend on her couch and we’ve been together ever since.
Happy Anniversary Mr and Mrs BRK, here’s to many more!
Grats, BRKs!
My uncle Phil always introduces my Aunt May as “his first wife”. He says it keeps her on her toes. They’ve been married 30 years and have two grown daughters.
I’ve been with my first girlfriend for nearly 5 years after meeting on the old MSN chatrooms. Internet dating is win, except when Gary Glitter is involved.
Hmmm, by the sounds of it, long distance is the way to go.
Short distance sure as heck isn’t always all it’s cracked up to be.
Awesome BRK that story could be the next big romantic comedy.
What it would be called?
Any ways ho’omaika’i (congratulations), and hau`oli piha makahiki (happy anniversary) to you both.
And its Hawaiian if you were wondering. =)
Redheads kick ass!
I also have a redheaded lady, and… well, that’s all I really have to say. Redheads = best thing ever. I even gave my hunter char “Ginger Spice hair”. Which didn’t really work as intended, because now people whisper and ask why I gave her “Peggy Bundy hair”.
Oh well, you win some you lose some.
Awesome blog btw! Check it every day!
happy anniversary guys!!
THAT is beautiful!
As we Welsh say:
Llongfarchiadau
or even:
Ar Benblwydd eich Priodas
(passionate language from a passionate nation ;o)
Happy anniversary!
I’m so jealous.
brk’s wife is hot!
grats dude!
p.s. you tell amazing stories!
Hey BRK its the 17th here so Happy Anniversary and for Mrs BRK Happy Anniversary for yesterday!
Rock on bro!
Grats on your marriage achievement!
Happy Anniversary from Kilrogg (EU).
If you’re stuck for what to put in the card, try this:
“I still love you. See last years card for further details!”
or:
“Ogres are Red, Harpies are Red, Hobbes turns Red, and I love… oh wait, oh wait… can I start over?!”
Happy Anniversary BRK!
You wife is very beautiful!
Happy anniversary Mrs & Mr BRK!!
Happy anniversary to you both, and many more.
My wife and I met here in Al. She was living in Pa. 800 miles. We met on the fourth of July and were married a month and 13 days later (that was 7 years and 2 kids ago). I wouldnt have it any other way!
made my day.
Since I didn’t read this until today, I’m counting the 17th as your anniversary as far as I’m concerned. And since today’s my wedding anniversary as well, I wish you at least as much happiness in your marriage as mine has had (be ready for it, there’s a lot!).
Redheads are dangerous, no doubt about it… got into a similarly long distance relationship (well, similar in style, the distance was a bit more, 5000ish miles and one big-ass ocean) with a redhead and ended up marrying her too!
Red hair has a LOT to answer for!
Hehe, beautiful story. Happy anniversary you two!
Grats on leveling your marriage, Mr. and Mrs. BRK!
Another long distancer here, met Mr. Clio back when we had to try to explain the Internet to folks. Coming up on #18
Guess he had a thing for redheads too.
Happy anniversary Mr and Mrs BRK! This just one more of countless to come
Gratz and Happy 12 year Anniversary to you and Mrs BRK.
These stories are always just so funny.
I guess I was stationed in Japan as well. Small world it is.
Awesome story, i’ve heard some like that my time in the service as well. Happy Anniversary!
happy anniversary (anniversaries?) to you both! it sounds like both of you are very, very fortunate. i wish you many more anniversaries in the years to come, and all the happiness that goes with them.
: )
ZOMG! No Pre-nup? Well, I guess we know who will be running this blog in the event of your untimely demise. LOL
Happy anniversary to you and Mrs. BRK
My wife and I are celebrating next month, but we were married on the same day.
Cheers!
I too married a redhead, but she was the girl next door. We couldn’t stand each other growing up, but we met again after going to separate colleges and couldn’t get enough of each other. We were engaged to be married, but married three weeks early as I was told by the Navy to pack up and get ready to head out for what turned out to be Desert Storm. Turns out I didn’t go, so we married again on our original date. So within a month we married twice. The military does strange things to people.
We had our honey moon in the Hyatt and had dinner in reunion tower, Dallas, TX. Freaky.
My best to you and your better half Dan.
-guy
Best story ever! =)
Great story man,
I also met my redhead online, we’ll finally be done with distance stuff in May. She moved across the country for me and I just have to finish my teaching certificate on the other side of the state. (what luck right? >.<)
The distance sucks, but we’ll do anything for redheads eh? Good luck to you and yours and happy anniversary!
Happy Anniversaries! May you have many more!
And I think, if your son does what you did, Mrs. BRK will do much worse than disinherit him.
*sniffs* So beautiful!
Congratz to the two of you, and may you have many more happy years to come!
a day late but GRATZ!!! to both Mrs. and Mr. BRK. well, we all know it’s really BRK that got really lucky he was fished out by an expert angler from the vast sea of non-life.
GRATZ again folks on your anniversary.
Wow. That’s weird. My anniversary is today, too, but we’ve got you beat by a year. Must be a hunter thing. Sad that you’re one of those poor alliance shorties, but ‘grats all the same.
Happy Anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. BRK!
GRAATTTTZZZ!!
Happy Anniversary BRK and Mrs. BRK!!
It is awesome that you guys can keep it together is spite of that stupid game you play
Happy anniversary, and many, MANY happy returns.
Gratz! The wife and I just dinged 12 last month.
1996 was a good year.
Grats! You lucky basterd! Treat her right!
What a legitimately heartwarming story. ^^
Congrats!
Happy Anniversary BRK and Mrs. BRK! That is a very sweet story!
Happy Anniversary! Here’s to another happy 12 years (and more!)
That does it – you are officially the luckiest man on the planet!
Great Story. Happy Anniversary!
( Mutual Respect beats Mutual Respec every time)
Congratulations! May the best you’ve ever seen be the worst you’ll ever see!
Awww… I’m Quaelar’s wife and I wouldn’t have it any other way either. (Especially since I have redheaded aura of submission. /Pawn)
Great story & beautiful wife!
Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. BRK!
Awww.
Grats to both of you. I’m dating my neighbour, so it’s a really long distance for us. She is gorgeous by the way.
You did *not* get married like that!
Gz on the anniversary, though I’m a day or too late, since it’s 18th in Finland right now.
If that’s really what Mrs. BRK looks like, and you really did think you were going to leave her while you spent 2 years in Japan, then you really are a doofus
Happy (Belated) Anniversary!
Hi there BRKs,
Happy anniversary. Have a nice long live together
And TBH i concur with capn John.
Anyway, celebrate folks, celebrate…
I will drink a nice coupe of French bubbles (champagne) to celebrate with you two.
Gultruk & Pythagoras.
BM & Cat
redheads. yes, most assuredly. you coulda stopped there, the rest just falls into place really.
I am a redhead and a female redhead can definately make me do strange things. and like it.
a lot.
grats to you both. wonderful tale of karma and stuph.
Happy Anniversary! Mr. and Mrs. BRK
I may have missed it, but do you have any kids right now, BRK? In all your posts I don’t remember seeing you mention a son. If you don’t have a son, are you trying to tell us something?
Congratz and happy anniversary.
Best wedding story ever. It made me smile all afternoon. Thank you, BRK, and Happy Anniversary to you both!
BRK -
Since I am a hunter in this game we play, I have perused your site as it was recommended to me as a great source for hunter info.
I would like to congratulate you on your marriage to Mrs. BRK. She is very lovely in appearance and gives the aura of a “Lady”.
I wanted to let you know that I and my wife were also a long-distance relationship. I had looked everywhere I went in America for the right woman and never found her. I had given up.
Then one day, in ICQ of all places, I get a message asking to be pen-pals. It’s all in Russian of course, but I used an online translator.
We chatted every day and I called her many times. We “clicked” almost instantly. I knew she was the right one. So I moved to marry her and live with her in the Ukraine.
So yes, long distance CAN work. She is my soul mate and I would die for her. Sometimes these crazy things do happen.
Good luck with Mrs. BRK and always treat her like the lady she is!
Yep, workin’ on the whole long distance thing myself. Congratulations, and may you two continue to annoy each other into happiness ad infinitum!
Congratulations to the both of you! More proof that AOL and other directories are great places to meet people
AWWwwwwWWWwwww! While I seem to have developed a downright cynical take on distance and/or online relationships, it’s heartwarming to hear a story like this.
Still made it to Disney Land though…just a round about way of getting there…Lol my story of love and marriage involves a hospital bed the USS John F Kennedy and one pi**ed of Chief Petty officer. But This is not my blog and I wont bore you with my little tail of Giggidy Giggidy!