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Friday, September 29, 2006
The Friday Follies
TGIF. It's easy to get cynical about even the best and most beautiful things in life. Like marriage. In the week just past we had a grim glimpse of the ugly one-two punch that's the trademark of Mr. and Mrs. Clinton. Bill did his bully-boy act on the Fox News Channel, and now the missus is trying to capitalize on the attention his tantrum drew by throwing one of her own. Some marriages really do seem made in hell.
But many of us are far more fortunate than the nation's Last Couple, and this week has reminded me of that in numerous ways. I learned, for example, that my good friends Mr. and Mrs. BalowStar have just celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary, which -- like their two beautifully poised and talented children -- is a tribute to their exceptional capacity for love, loyalty, and faith.
I am grateful every day of my life for Mrs. InstaPunk, who is unquestionably the biggest person in the smallest frame it has ever been my pleasure to know.
The
incomparable Mrs.
InstaPunk
So there will be no cynicism today. Instead, I'm taking the opportunity to spotlight a few great couples whom it's possible to appreciate from afar.
The first instance, I admit, caught me by surprise. Last year, Mrs. InstaPunk and I watched Lisa Rinna on Dancing with the Stars, and I was slowly won over by her determination and whole-hearted emotion. She survived deep into the competition, and it was sad to see her go. This year, I was skeptical when one of the celebrity contestants was her husband, Harry Hamlin. But he announced at the beginning that he was competing because he wanted to be able to dance with his wife as he had seen her dance, and I believed him. The first week he was just terrible, a stiff and cringe-inducing stick figure of a dancer, despite the fact that he had evidently gone into serious training for the show. But he was game. And by the third week, he had, through sheer unrelenting resolve, improved by an order of magnitude. Here's Harry doing the tango. But he didn't make the cut this week, and I was shocked to see his partner weep at his departure, unable to utter a word on camera. He really had worked that hard. I take my hat off to him. And to his wife, who is clearly an inspiration to her husband and family. Yes, I know they're well paid for appearing on the show, but I can tell when a man loves his wife. He does.
And then there's talent. What a great thing it is when a couple share an endeavor and complement one another in the process. I give you the Wuzzadems. For a long time now, both Wuzzadem and his wife, Mrs. R, (at least I think they're a couple. My bad if I'm assuming too much) have been producing truly outstanding gems of satire, each in his own way. Wuzzadem is so consistently funny that I've deliberately copied his style in the past. Right now, I'm jealous as hell of Mrs. R's brilliant Terro-gator, which you have to try out for yourselves. And I'm just as green about Wuzzadem's Islamic Rage Meter.
But I know for sure that Glenn Reynolds is married to the face that launched a thousand ships, the beautiful and talented Dr. Helen. His devotion to her is the most endearing thing about a man who obviously has many extraordinary qualities. Lately, they've taken to podcasting together, which I hope means she is past the health problems that no one her age should have to suffer. I love it that this joint venture between them is so obviously the most enjoyable part of his busy (i.e., busy busy busy) life. You can hear the enthusiasm in his voice. (Listen here.) Congratulations to both of them. (And , no, I'm not doing this for a link. Can't an InstaPunk have some genteel sentiments on occasion?) They make me feel good.
I know there are many more examples out there of fine and fruitful marriages, but this small sampling will have to do for now. I just thought you might find it worthwhile to embark on the weekend with a smile at your own spouse, because the truth is, so many of us are indeed blessed, and it's always the right time to remember that.
Love you, Mrs. InstaPunk.
