Awesome

The rumors are true. Awesome is in town.

It's funny how when you need something, sometimes it just shows up.

Today is July 4. Exactly ten years ago today, I met the man who eventually became my husband. The 4th is one of those holidays that I celebrate with a little trepidation each year, because I never know when the melancholy is gonna hit me.

So this year, imagine my elation when Tucson Mike, Rae and Kaylee scheduled their vacation so they were arriving in Chicago on July 3. This year, there would be no sadness. There would just be fun, laughter and love.

HA, said the Universe, I'll show you.

And on July 3, divorce papers showed up in my e-mail. I have to sign, and he is picking them up on Monday on his way to file. Yes, it's true - one day short of the ten-year anniversary of meeting him, he sends the papers. Once I got over the shock, it hit me: for the next ten days, I don't have to be alone. If I'm sad, I won't have to be sad alone. And I have a sneaking suspicion that being with Clan Rice for a week and a half, I will have a tough time remembering what the devil I'm supposed to be sad about, anyway.

So I guess there are some "thank-yous" in order. To the friends on IM yesterday when the e-mail came through and I fell apart a little bit, thank you for telling me I was gonna be okay. To those who have been by my side - both emotionally and physically - since the early days of the end of my marriage, thanks for never letting me feel alone. To my family, however it's defined, thank you for just being there with me through thick and thin. And to Clan Rice ... thank you for being here when I didn't even know I needed you to be here.

It's true. Awesome is in town. Hot damn.