Photo on left: My Wedding Day, 7/1/07
*Photo on right: This weekend, 6/24/17
*I posed with a friend and her boyfriend. Since I didn't ask their permission, I chopped-cropped his face off. You'd probably still recognize him on the streets, but my hair will blind you first.
What a difference 10 years (minus one week) makes, right?
It seems an appropriate time to share the piece below. I posted it years ago for Jenny Matlock's Alpha-Thursday "H" post. I hope you appreciate the message.
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Happily Ever After
backyard of Temple Israel, where we married. Alameda's Bay Farm Island, 6/17
"As wonderful as things are at this moment," Rabbi Wyse promised, "it will get even better, better than you could ever imagine."
Touched by these words, I stood teary-eyed with my new husband, an expansive rainbow colored stained glass window accentuating our loving aura. It was indeed a magical day, added to promise of a divine future.
The months and years to follow, though? Not so much. Okay, when does this happily ever after thing kick in? I wondered, as life plummeted into a miserable abyss. How could a man of the cloth be so off base?
More recently, however, I learned the wisdom behind those words. The Rabbi was right, after all. It would get even better than I could ever imagine.
I just didn't realize it would take so long after the marriage, and the divorce, to find my happily ever after.
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For the grand finale, it's not just another Wednesday. 6/28 marks the Birthday of an adorably witty, playful, charismatic, gorgeous and sexy celebrity. Of all the stars with whom to share my birthday (year included), I did pretty good. Happy Birthday, John Cusack.
For the grand finale, it's not just another Wednesday. 6/28 marks the Birthday of an adorably witty, playful, charismatic, gorgeous and sexy celebrity. Of all the stars with whom to share my birthday (year included), I did pretty good. Happy Birthday, John Cusack.
“I don’t want to sell anything, buy
anything, or process anything as a career. I don't want to sell anything bought
or processed, or buy anything sold or processed, or process anything sold,
bought, or processed, or repair anything sold, bought, or processed. You know,
as a career, I don't want to do that. I just want to spend time
celebrating our special day (and night) together, Robyn Alana Engel. Be my birthday date.
XoXo#&etc.*!! Love Always, John Cusack”
If you insist, John.Happy Birthday to us!
Smooches and more, hon.
xo Robyn ox
Five extra credit points to the first person who names the movie in which he says the above quote. And who does he say it to?
Be well, and take care of yourselves, Dear Sillies.
No points for me. I am clueless about movies. Always.
ReplyDeleteA very, very happy birthday (and more happiness to come).
"Say Anything" --and thanks for a heartfelt post. You are a remarkable and strong person, Robyn. My compliments and admiration.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Robyn! You look like you were having a lot more fun in that second photo. Hope there is a triple-chocolate cake waiting for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry the happiness didn't come until much later. But you're happy now. Have a wonderful birthday.
ReplyDeleteI also thought John Cusack was adorable.
Both are my thoughts exactly!!
DeleteHappy birthday! Lloyd says that to Diane's father in Say Anything.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes. Good call, Ruth!
DeleteHAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Love that "now" photo of you -- you kick ass, girl!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Robyn! Very thoughtful and insightful words from someone who has obviously lived with her heart and earned her happiness. Cheers!
ReplyDeleteSay Anything is the movie. He told it to the girl's father, I think. Happy birthday too! And yeah, we can make our own happiness. Sure look like you are having more fun 10 years later indeed.
ReplyDeleteDing! Ding! Winner.
DeleteI was having more fun 10 years later. It's pretty amazing.
Thanks, Pat.
Happy birthday and I am very glad that it is indeed happy!
ReplyDeleteUgh, I can never remember movie titles! Was it Point Blank Gross or something? Happy bithday, Robyn, you look young enough to be John Cusack's twin! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, GB. But then we would be legal - if you know what I mean.
DeleteHappy Birthday day/month/year to you and John Cusack. Glad you can share with him. And good things come to those who wait - quite a cliche and yet I think you are just hitting your stride. It will keep getting better as you be-bop through life. The blue hair is a good look! Hugs and Say Anything?
ReplyDeleteYes, Say Anything.
DeleteThank you for your hopeful perspective and cheer, Joanne.
Happy 4th of July weekend.
Thanks, friends. I love you too.
ReplyDeleteGeo's right first: Say Anything! And who'd he say it to? Pat Hatt's right, the father. Who played the father?
*Insert Jeopardy music.*
I know so little about movies, but this one, I know for sure.
I don't have a clue which movie this was said in. Other than 2012, I don't think I've seen any of his movies.
ReplyDeleteHAPPY BIRTHDAY, lady! You look beautiful in your wedding gown, but you also look introspective and kinda scared. In the recent picture? You look truly happy... and beautiful. Happiness always looks beautiful. I hope you and John have a lovely date... :)
ReplyDeleteYou're so sweet and wise, Susan. Thank you, friend. I really appreciate your words. John does too. ;-)
DeleteSay Anything: Lloyd Dobler says that to Diane Court's father, who is played by John Mahoney. Mr. Court wants to know what Lloyd is going to do now that he's graduated from high school. I love John Cusack. Happy birthday, young lady! I don't think I have a single photo from my wedding, and I don't care. Photos would probably make me sad that I wasted my youth on scum. I'd also be sad that I'm no longer young, skinny, and pretty. I WAS A FINALIST IN A BEAUTY PAGEANT! I won the talent award, too, dammit.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Not very good at movies, but I can be persuasive. Give me Mr. Cusack's phone and address and he will at least call you. He will do more if you would like. Just let me know. Happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to You
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday to You
Happy Birthday dear Robyn
Happy Birthday to you.
Now if you heard me singing, you ask me to stop
I don't know where that saying is by John Cusak but I think it must come from the movie where he has the ghetto blaster perched on his head or something.
Happy birthday my dear friend! You and I need a walk in the park soon!
ReplyDeleteThanks, sweetie. That would be awesome.
DeleteHugs.
Thank you, loves.
ReplyDeleteUm, does anyone else have the "3rd party hosting" crap on your blog. Do you see it? They're trying to get $400 from me (for posting photos supposedly), and they've f*ked up my blog to do it. Help. I might be older but I'm still just as not naive, and not moreso.
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI haven't seen it anywhere else. I Googled it. Apparently, photobucket is now charging people who use their images. Do you know if you have photobucket images and if you can remove them?
DeleteI've been on the phone for hours trying to clear it up. Now, I'm getting actual help from a friend. Thank you, Janie.
DeleteOh, so funny. You are a wiz with movie trivia. I was sure it was Robert DeNiro who played the father. So silly of me. Thanks for correcting me. You get 4 extra credit points!
Happy Birthday, Robyn!! I hope you had a wonderful day. I'm glad you found your happy. :) Happy looks good on you. :) You were a beautiful bride!
ReplyDeleteThank you, sweet Rosey.
DeleteHappy Birthday! (Belated). I hope you have/had a great time. Not sure about your 3rd party hosting problem, but I'm also the person who bailed on Blogger when I couldn't renew my URL. You really made me think back on the me from a decade minus a week ago. Really weird to think about that me. I don't feel like I've changed all that much, but I definitely don't fully identify with that person I was anymore.
ReplyDeleteIt's surreal to think back to one decade minus a week ago, isn't it? Add the week back in, and it's still strange.
DeleteThank you for the bday cheer.
Happy (belated) birthday, Robyn! It seems I'm always late for the party :)
ReplyDeleteNo worries, Martha. We've kept the party going. You're just on time. Thank you.
DeleteHappy belated birthday my dear friend! It's those tough times that carve us into our most awesome selves and that's why you rock today! Love you!
ReplyDeleteElsie
Aw, thank you, hon.
DeleteLove you too!
Haha - I'm so glad you and John are now an item. Quite a step up.
ReplyDeleteIf that's him on the right, he's not looking so good.
Sorry you're marriage didn't work out dear. You do sound happy though which is a wonderful thing.
xo
Haha. Yeah, he's a bit troubled. We had fun posing for those pictures.
DeleteJohn, though, always looks hot. Definitely a major step up. Be still my heart.
Love ya, Anthony.
Happy Birthday, Robyn!! I hope you had a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Robyn & John! :)
ReplyDeleteWiser, better, stronger each year, aren't you?
I hope your birthday (and John's) was a happy one! Love the current photo of you. :) Have a nice 4th of July!
ReplyDeleteCall me an optimist, but I'm convinced that things usually work out for the best. Apparently, the same could be said for you (even though you thought that rabbi was probably meshuggah).
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday (I did hit you up on Facebook, didn't I?)
Thanks, sweet friends. I'm sure you did, Al.
ReplyDelete