Dear Gus & Magnus,
I didn't take a photo today, but here's one from this day 10 years ago. I was hanging out with Jerelynn and Ben & Anne a lot back then. That night we hit Zoo Brew.
I was trying to ignore the crush I'd developed on your mother, hoping it would go away -- I'd recently decided I would steer clear of serious romantic relationships. I abandoned the idea of having children. I had not told Mom about my crush yet, and I didn't plan to.
As my crew turned the corner of the elephant house, I spotted a woman in the middle distance, walking away, and she stood out amongst the dozens of other people. I don't know if it's because she was so beautiful, or if it's because my gut told me it was Liz Hoover. She wore a sleeveless blue shirt. Her hair fell perfectly onto her shoulders. She moved elegantly. It had not crossed my mind that she might be there -- I didn't know how she spent her time after work -- and I wasn't sure it was her at all. I thought it possible that I had seen this beautiful woman and projected my crush's identity onto her because I wanted it to be her. But then we went inside the building and my eyes found her again. I tried not to stare, but I couldn't help it. I hid behind a column and watched her take a photo with her friends. I watched her all night long.
The other day Mom was cleaning out her closet. She came across that blue shirt. She doesn't wear it anymore, but she was thinking of holding onto it for nostalgic reasons. I told her she should.
Dad.
Little Rock, Arkansas. 9.25.2014 - 7.37pm.