JM’s note: This was totally unsolicited but CC asked if he could do a guest post, and then he actually wrote it and sent it to me, and I may have cried a little bit when I read it and had to pretend I had just jabbed a mascara wand in my eye. It wasn’t intended as a Valentine’s Day post (I mostly hate that holiday) but it seemed appropriate that I post it today, to call out to that grimy, blackened, decaying romantic that lives in all of us. I don’t deserve his praise but what the hell, I’m leaving it in there.
Love Letters and Cheap Applause Lines by CC
Those of you that are lucky enough to know my wife JM in the actual world know- and those that are readers of this blog get a glimpse of what a lovely and exceptional woman she is. One of her favorite words is “badass” and believe me, she is. I thank god for every day she shares my life.
Don’t worry, this is not an obituary, she is fine. We are just both working two jobs at the moment, and she is too exhausted at the end of the day to write, so I am hijacking her site to give you all a story and an update.
We have all watched a comic, or a celebrity on television and heard them say something like “so I just got married” or “we just had our first baby” “I stopped drinking”…and the audience applauds and “WOOOO’s” obligatorily and the world dims a little for the effort. It is a cheap applause line, and I always find it a bit tacky. But I digress….
Hey, look. A puppy:
Last week was busy. Not in itself unusual around here, but at one point JM realized that there was a document that she needed THAT DAY (JM’s note: umm, it was my union card), so I found it, and after my production meetings were done I headed uptown to deliver it to her. I slipped into the theater, and sat in the back as the crew worked on loading in the show. I know many of them-it is a small community- but they were busy and I was content to sit in back, watch and wait for the end of the call to chat and catch up. JM was onstage wearing her favorite new black work boots and a white hard hat while they all moved the heavy main speaker arrays into position to rig and fly. This is the glamorous part of theater, folks.
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, I was the department head on a tour of Aida for the Walt Disney Company, and AK, one of my dearest friends and at the time my assistant, was leaving the tour for greater glory. I needed to replace him quickly. In our world, for contractual reasons positions cannot go unfilled for long and everyone I knew and didn’t hate was working. I was at a loss and started asking for resumes online from people in the industry. Someone passed me JM’s name. We spoke on the phone, and she joined the tour in Kansas City. She did a terrific job learning the gig and –just as importantly- fitting in with the company.
Several months passed and we found ourselves taking the show into Los Angeles, the land of all things Disney Corporate, and for the show, A VERY BIG DEAL.
Slamming a million bucks worth of sound gear into and out of trucks week after week is hard work in the best of circumstances, but sometimes the theater gods conspire and scheme, and when they do, little good comes of it. We had a rough week.
The set didn’t fit through the loading doors.
The band didn’t fit in the pit.
Disney scheduled press events around and during the load in.
The choreographer arrived for a “brush up rehearsal” and spent the week making our lives……interesting.
We adapted, we persevered, and we made it to the opening night.
My last image of JM before that show started was of her in a black polo shirt and jeans and Doc Martens with her hair in a ponytail, holding a screw gun, ready to replace yet another piece of equipment that had chosen that moment to commit suicide, while I walked to the front of house to start the show.
What I came back to after the show was breathtaking. The jeans, polo and ponytail were gone and in their place were a midnight blue dress, heels and hair perfectly done. It was stunning. It was magic. It was like something out of a Disney movie. I was done for. The theater gods laughed.
All these years.
All these years, dozens of cities, thousands of shows, 10 or so new productions, 4 apartments, a couple lawsuits, five kids, a wedding, a house, 2 puppies, more midnight grocery runs than I can count, a few more shows. More than a little good has come of it.
The word “soul mate” is deadened by overuse. But damn is it true here. JM is my best friend and I am a better man for her love. The theater gods are still laughing, but I think it is because they are happy for us.
Now for the cheap applause lines:
#1? Started University
#2? Honor Roll
#3? Honor Roll
#4? Honor Roll
#5? Straight A’s
That’s right, folks, we got ourselves a house full of freaking geniuses. And puppies.
JM Randolph, accidentalstepmom 
Crap. You made me cry. On my birthday. You rock JM … but I kinda figured that out a while back.
Hey, Happy Birthday!
Best. Valentine’s Day Post. EVER!!!!
I love you guys. What a beautiful couple, in every way.
And I’m definitely clapping. A lot.
We love you guys too! I just sent someone over to your husband’s blog today.
Aweee so sweet. I didn’t know there were 2 great writers in the family!
He’s totally showing me up. I don’t mind.
Aw. This is so sweet. So perfect to post it on Valentine’s Day. And it’s so fun to hear how he fell in love with you from his perspective. Awesome post!! Thanks for sharing it with all of us!
Thanks for reading & commenting- I love it when you stop by!
You know, I already approved of this guy long before this entry and without ever meeting him, but good gravy…he rocks.
I always watched the guys you dated in the span that I knew you in person and wondered when you’d find one that knew just how awesome you were. Well, you found one. Boy howdy did you.
🙂
I so did. What can I say- I’m blessed. Thanks!
Okay JM & CC — if this wasn’t the SWEETEST, most heartfelt love letter I’ve read in a loooong time, I don’t know what is … and I agree, the gods are surely conspiring with you! Working two jobs each AND having two puppies AND five, hugely accomplished kids?? If you weren’t so adorable, I’d have to hate you! Happy Valentine’s Day — you two just made mine!!!
Ha! You’re awesome. I want your gig! Happy Valentine’s Day.
So nice. Just so, so nice. That’s how it should happen for everyone. (Perhaps without the five kids, depending on preferences, you know – I mean your kids clearly rock, so you got lucky there but I don’t know if I could jump into that particular fray.) I hope you’re blessed with many happy years and a break from so much work!
Thank you much, that’s very kind. Happy Valentine’s Day!
This is very simply a most beautiful expression of devotion. And what’s more, I believe every word of it. And then, there;s the cheap Puppy Shot.loved that too.
Cheap puppy shots rule!
Now, why do you have to go and make me cry? Dammit.
That was awesome and I love you both.
Jenn
It’s his fault. He’s making all the crying happen around here. We love you too.
I’m so not a romantic, but… Awwwww! Perfect guest post for Valentines Day 🙂
Thanks!
That was unbelievably sweet! Happy Valentine’s Day to you guys!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Awwwww….
kinda makes you want to curl up with a pint of Schweddy Balls, no?
You got a guest post and I got wonderful words in a card I kept private. Damn – now I think I should have posted a photo of the words and not just the outside.
You are a magic couple, you two!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
And Happy Valentine’s Day to all of you!
This made me gag in a totally good way. Great job, CC!!!
That’s one of my favorite comments of all time.
Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about! You are a stud muffin, CC!
Awww, such a sweet valentines post! And puppies, who wouldn’t love puppies?!
Now I’m gonna cry a little.
I just posted a Query today: Do you believe in soulmates? I can’t wait to get home today and link this letter to it – another one for the yes group.
Oh my (theater) gad Julie, I am crying at work. Thank the (theater) god it’s not an ugly cry! CC is a wonderful man and you guys deserve each other. That pic at the end is the best…it’s filled with emotion. I am so happy for you, and I know this post made even you like Valentine’s Day.
I meant (theater) god. 🙂
Well done. Well deserved!
oh man! CC! you’re killing me over here!
badass, indeed. i almost died just talking about the heights she sometimes has to work at.
And an aside to JM here – you aren’t 40 yet, huh? am I the oldest person I know? I need to start hanging out near retirement communities.
oooh wow i just followed you blog nd i loved this poat…wow your man is so cool…#tearyEyes…may the good LORD keep you too happy like that and more blessings in to everything you two touch…:)