My husband was gone for several days last week due to a work obligation so I got to be all lonely around the house. When he is gone, I tend to stay up really late as though I am waiting for him to get home. It's completely ridiculous but it's what I do.
Up late a few nights ago, I was searching through a box of books looking for something to read when I came across two journals. They were written by Mike when he was 21 years old-- a good seven years before we met. The journals chronicled his tour across the U.S. with a couple of guys from college.
Yes, I know what you're thinking. "Journals are private and you're not supposed to read other peoples diaries." Whatever. You know you would totally read it! Frankly, if I found your diary, and no one was looking, I am 100% sure I would read it.
Well, it was the best read I've had in awhile. And the most difficult. The man's handwriting is nearly indecipherable, but I managed. What was so cool was that I was hearing the voice of this total stranger/manboy whom I've never met, but resembles the guy I married.
It's not often I see another side of the "Mike" I've known for more than a decade --the insecurity about girls he liked, waxing poetic about literature and life, and his hopes and dreams for the future. It was nice to realize he achieved many of the goals he wrote about as a young man. Sometimes I wonder if the people I love are living the life they hoped for or just putting on a good face.
Reading his coming-of-age story made me love the man he became even more. I'd say the invasion of privacy was totally worth it.
3 comments:
I've actually read Marcus's journals that he kept in junior high, high school, and college (with his permission). It was really cool, and man did he have no fear about asking out any girl he happened to like!
It also made me glad that I never kept a diary. I don't think I'd want him to know that much about me!
Ignnore the extra s on Marcus'. I know that technically it's acceptable, but I'm pretty sure that's one of those grammar rules that was created to give into the tons of people who didn't know the original rule.
Oh Holly - I totally read other people's diaries if I come across them! I think most people would. That's pretty cool that what you read made you love him even more and it's neat that you got to "know" him before you even met him.
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