Memoirs of a Muse

Willie wrote that he didn't know where to start, so he'd just begin where he was. I, however, suffer the unfortunate belief that ever story needs a beginning. So here we go: The Complete Lives of Andrew and Kelsey-- abridged.

I was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. Not exactly the most exciting place in the world, but I certainly could have done worse. Willie, on the other hand, grew up in the heart of Miami. Now tell me that isn't a contrast.

About... two years ago now, we met under pretty interesting circumstances: as would define the theme for the rest of our developing relationship. A few months there after, we grew from acquaintances to good friends. He became my therapist and I became his confidant.

Looking back, I find it funny that we had so much we could relate on. Here he was, "upstanding citizen," 21 in body but 35 in heart. He was majoring in computer programming so he could settle down and support a family with his girlfriend-- what any good boy should do, right?

I, on the other hand, was a bit less inclined to follow traditional roads. I was an English major with a writer's heart. After several disastrous relationships, I'd sworn off men for the time being. I believed in finding myself and forging my own way before worrying about making a family.

These varied views led to long, long conversations of the worst kind. Conversations where feelings are kindled, views are changed, and old baggage is finally laid to rest. Friendship quickly developed into something more... which put a rather awkward hole in Willie's plans.

What do you do when you've spent years trying to say, "This isn't what I want" and no one will listen? What about when someone comes along who finally does? How do you handle a situation where you feel like you have no choice because everyone expects it of you?

I'm not sure. Our way didn't go so well. But I will tell you it often involves a lot of hiding, running, yelling, and tears. In the end, you simply have to man up and take the blows, it seems. There's no easy way out, and it certainly gets harder before it gets better.

That was a little over a year ago, and so much has happened since then. When we look back, we can hardly believe who we were and where we've come from. I look at the goober of a boy next to me and laugh, wondering if he could ever really be that reserved, restrained pup I once met.

Somewhere between the Ceilis, and sushi, and haircuts, and moves, and laughs, and fights, and beaches, and snow... we both discovered what had been tugging us together all along. Something bigger than ourselves and greater than we'd ever imagined.

So here we are now. One year, one month, and eight days later: a young, engaged couple living in Wisconsin. Later this week, we fly back to Alabama for my college graduation. In August, he restarts college to pursue what he truly loves-- philosophy.

Where we go from here, we can't really know. Once upon a time we both had plans and truly believed in them. Now we realize in the greater scheme of things, plans are rather trivial. We have theories but, well, we'll see how those pan out...

So there you have it. The "story"-- in 100 words or less. I couldn't recount the full version to you even if I wanted to. That's where this blog comes in. It would simply be "a negligence of aesthetics" to let all our memories go to waste.

"I see you as a very intelligent, beautiful person... and to not be attracted to that would be a negligence of aesthetics." - Kelsey, 5/15/07