One of the most important dates in my life is the day I met Natasha. We were really young then, yet somehow managed to recognize that we were meant for each other, if not at first sight, then definitely at the second one.
We actually saw one another for the first time a couple of days earlier. Our student theater was looking to launch a freshman troupe, and I drew the short straw for the privilege of being its “artistic director”. Of course, I appraised all of the girls who came to the initial meeting, and not just on their performing talents. Then, a couple of days later, I saw one of them standing in the lobby of our university building waiting for someone, approached her, struck up a conversation, and the rest, as they say, is history.
I remember that day as if it were yesterday. The date was the 18th of October.
Which, if you’ve become familiar with us by now, you know is also Becky’s birthday.
Because Becky chose to enter the world on the anniversary of the day that Natasha and I met, and because our tying-the-knot anniversary occurs less than two weeks later, we tend to overlook celebrating that fateful meeting. Even though I consider it a more important occasion. Because it feels as if I knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her even then.
My love for my wife is easily summed up by the title of this song. I just can’t smile without her. One of my best friends once remarked that I did not actually live during the year-plus that I spent in America before she joined me. Found it very hard to do anything, indeed. And have been smiling ever since we were together again, for all these years.
By the way, the other day, Natasha suddenly tells me, “You know which song has been stuck in my head recently? Can’t Smile Without You”. And I respond, “No way, I was just thinking that it would be my next YouTube’d memory!”
This thinking same thoughts business is getting spookier with time.