The Ring Don't Mean a Thing

Ryan was telling me this story the other day about a young woman at one of his stops. She was telling him how much she loved being married and how awesome it was and all the stuff people who have been married for a month and a half will tell you. When he said something to her about it only being a month and a half she said "what do you know? you're not married". Of course he told her that he was indeed married, 13 years in fact, and her next response was amazement that he doesn't wear a wedding ring. The next big shocker was when he told her that I don't wear one either.

She was floored. Apparently in her mind, if one doesn't wear a wedding ring that automatically means they're going to cheat. I've got news for you honey, it's not the ring that prevents people from cheating. There are plenty of people out there who couldn't care less if there's a ring on their finger or not. Lots of things make a marriage and a ring isn't one of them. 

It blew her simple little mind that not only had the thought of cheating never occurred to either of us, but we're actually really damn happy with each other. Ryan told her that he has never looked at another woman and thought about hooking up with her and she couldn't believe that either. Why is that so hard to believe?? I'm sure he has noticed when an attractive woman walks by, but that doesn't mean he wants to sleep with her. I feel bad for the girl if she is constantly worrying that her husband is going to cheat on her. She's going to drive herself(and him) insane if that's how she is. A marriage will only last if both people have love, respect and trust for one another. 

And that's not something you get from a ring. 

The Magic's Gone

Last week the family and I went to Florida for a much needed vacation. Despite the fact that Ryan crushed my foot with my dad's wheelchair, I got round 3 of strep throat for the year and the A/C went out in our van, the vacation itself was absolutely awesome. I fell in love with St. Augustine and the ocean and could really see myself living there. The one day I could have done without was the day we went to Disney World. Turns out the Magic Kingdom isn't so magical anymore. 

We had taken the kids a few years ago but they were so little at the time they didn't remember. Being the good mom I am who wants to make amazing memories for her kiddos I thought it would be a good idea to take them again. Every kid needs to experience Disney World, right?! Mickey! Minnie! It's a Small World! The castle! What's not to love? Um, apparently a lot. 

Maybe I'm just old and cynical but I just wasn't feeling it and it didn't seem like the kids did either. Between the heat, the overpriced bottles of water and food,the 3 hour wait in line for Space Mountain (which we didn't do) and the pushy assholes who tried to cut line and in return felt my husband's wrath, the magic was gone. We saw maybe 3 characters walking around and posing for photos which was really disappointing. When I was a kid the characters were everywhere and all you had to do to get a pic with the main mouse was walk up to him. Now it seems like added costs and appointments were needed for everything. I miss the days of walking down Main Street and getting excited because you unexpectedly ran into Pluto. 

Also, the two trips my kids got to take to Disney World got cut short. The first time we were booted out of the park at 7 because they were having some "pirate party" that cost an additional $50 per person to attend, which is absurd. This time Mother Nature rained us out. Either way we didn't get to stay nearly as long as we had planned. 

I know a lot of people go ape shit for Disney and act like they worship at the House of the Mouse and I think they're just as nuts as they think I am for not being thrilled with it. The sad reality of discovering that it is overrated is kind of like finding out that Santa isn't real but something you have to learn eventually.