Nothing Between Us
But This Preshrunk Blend
By Todger Stone
judas gets his silver / a much needed vacation / she was cold but warmed
freedom became love / friends and family gathered / from discord comes love
She said, “If you’re into it…”
For those living under a rock, Rory Sabbatini played in the Olympics under the Slovakian flag after defecting from his home country of South Africa. He seized on an opportunity to insert himself into the games because he could not make a team made up of his countrymen. Enter the Shotgun Start podcast, who seized their own opportunity and developed a sweatshirt that commemorated this farce. The minute it went for sale, I had to have one, not knowing where it would lead. The sweatshirt will have a lasting memory for how we celebrated turning 40 — a pivotal moment in any man's life.
We busied ourselves collecting last-minute items and packing the minivan to the brim. Hustled down to the beach to check into our house without the kids (thank you, grandparents). Our family needed this time together because the pandemic did not let up on us, and we had to take a moment for ourselves. The past year of death in the family, working overtime, juggling kids’ schedules because of closures, and lack of socializing had beaten us down. Our commitment to the week was to connect with each other, the kids, friends, and family. Shutting it down and connecting in-person was invigorating and fed our souls. If you can do it safely, find a place and do the same.
As awesome wives do, she bought something nice to wear, and it was appreciated; she looked amazing. But being at the beach, it was rather cold, and she asked for a sweatshirt — to which I handed her the aforementioned BFB sweatshirt. You know those scenes in movies where the girl wears a sweatshirt as a dress? This was it, and it was hot. The sweatshirt and lingerie did not last long, but as we got into it, I stopped and said, “You should put the sweatshirt back on” — to which she replied, “If you’re into it.”
Full disclosure, I had got my head right, so it could be hyperbole — but what ensued was nothing short of amazing. Mutual agreement that it was the best we have had in our marriage. Almost as if we released in unison all we had been through the past year and a half. Complete freedom from all the ugliness and vitriol of the current environment. There was a complete beauty in it, and it was refreshing because we enlightened love at the moment.
The next day we hosted around 50 people from all parts of my life. Being the center of attention was not my intention for doing this. I missed connection with those who we had seen regularly in our pre-pandemic lives. It was a birthday party for everyone that didn’t get to celebrate last year. We had kids running and playing in the sand while parents danced in conversation face-to-face. It was beautiful and reminiscent of days I long for again. Given the opportunity, I think we all want to love each other.
As the week came to a close, reflection was consuming my brain power. We sat at the edge of our immediate world looking into nothing and it was glorious. At our back was a world that sits divided in ways that seem irreconcilable. Constant strife fueled by our lack of in person connection. We need a good old fashion love-in,
If you're into it....
Todger Stone is a pseudonym. The author is a longtime Golf Twitter fixture and — apparently — an avid fan of the Shotgun Start podcast. He has begun tweeting at @TodgerStone.
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