Kontan.

From left to right: Alli, Djembe (Jem), Tiki, Me, Lil Bit, Big Bit, Tchaik, Blackie

As it is Valentine’s Day I guess it is only appropriate for me to do my second introductions post and tell you about Djembe. Our story is strange, but I find it amusing. For those who haven’t figured it out yet Djembe is my husband. I sometimes refer to him as Jem, Mr. Wonderful, the Cook, or my little drummer boy. The word Djembe refers to an African drum. I chose the nickname because Jem is a percussionist…a rather good one if I do say so myself.

I met Jem at a Halloween party, October 29, 1994. On and off we spent the evening talking and laughing together. At that time I knew he was older than me, but I had no idea by how much. It didn’t matter. We had really connected and I was looking forward to getting to know him better. Over time we figured out that our paths had been crossing for years.

While I was in high school he was the drum instructor at a rival high school. We had attended many of the same competitions and shows, but never crossed paths. That’s a good thing given that he is eleven years older. We also discovered that I met his best friend a few years before I ever met him. I had my heart set on attending another college and had been visiting the other college and playing with their band all through my high school years. Jem’s best friend was involved with the drum line there. Another odd quinky dink, Jem was a roommate of a cousin of mine. When Jem met my favorite great-aunt at a family get together he was surprised to realize he had met her before. I fully believe that regardless of my college choice we would have eventually crossed paths to end up together.

After we finally met we were close from the start. Being apart was absolutely miserable. We met at the end of October and after a miserable Christmas break apart we decided that being apart was not something we would let happen again. We married May of 1995.

Through good times and bad we have grown together. He is my best friend. He is my valentine.

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Relaxing to the sounds of: John Tesh – Spanish Steps
via FoxyTunes