I’ve been thinking a lot about loyalty lately. It’s a trait I most often associate with my husband (we’ll call him Shmohnny) and not myself. After all, he has had the same best friends his whole life. He’s lived in two cities and worked only a couple of jobs.
I, on the other hand, have moved every 2-3 years before marrying him, worked in jobs ranging from janitor to bridal consultant to youth pastor to teacher and a dozen more. I try to keep in touch with friends, but generally suck at it.
So to sum up, Shmohnny loyal, Fanschmurl disloyal.
And yet …
As I wrote in my guest blog yesterday, I have been loyal to New Kids On The Block for 25 years and THAT hasn’t always been easy.
But there’s more!
I’ve also loved the Chicago Cubs since 1989. That’s 24 years of disappointment and heartbreak, baby. If that ain’t loyalty, I don’t know what is.
To be fair, I was indoctrinated in a good season (that’s how they getchya – like drug dealers). And of course, it started with crushes. Ryne Sandburg and Mark Grace. Second and first base, respectively … and they could get on base with me any time! Bah-dum-dum
Just kidding. That’s gross. I was in the 6th grade.
Anyway, that year the Cubs made it to the National League Championships, where they lost to the Giants. We were picking up my grandpa from the train station that day, and I found a guy with a portable T.V. getting just enough reception to see the final play: Ryne grounded out.
I was devastated. I was hooked.
In the 8th grade, my friends threw me a surprise birthday party. It was Cubs themed. There was a giant cardboard cut-out of Andre Dawson and Rick Sutcliffe, baseball cupcakes, and it was the first boy-girl party at my house.
They also all went in together and bought me a real Cubs Starter jacket, just like the players wear. I still wear it. It’s vintage.
24 years later, I don’t live in Chicago anymore. Shmohnny desperately wants me to love the Mariners. He’s very loyal to them. But I just can’t. I love the Cubs.
I always have. I always will.
fanschmurl 