This may come as a shock to some, but I am not much of a shopper. To me, the idea of going to the store without a distinct idea of what you intend to buy, is just crazy. And getting up at two in the morning to be first in line for a 4 a.m. sale is nuts. If I am awake at 2 in the morning, it is either because I partied like a rock star, or my bladder woke me up and I had to make the zombie walk down the hall. Put your money on the second option.
So every year, when that day after Thanksgiving would roll in, and I was still comatose from too much pumpkin pie and stuffing, others would boost our economy. I know, I know, I hear it every year. It is the start of the Christmas shopping season, and all the best deals are available. I get it, I just don’t want to be a part of it. You see, as strange as this may seem when you consider the size of my family and the job that I do, I don’t really like people. So being in a crowd I don’t know, and most probably don’t like, with people pushing and grabbing at things I don’t want or need, is not what I would consider a good time.
To me, Black Friday was just a day off of work. And for many years it was not even that. Much like Maureen yesterday, Black Friday used to be an all day work event. It was working a window at the United Center for three shows of “The Greatest Show On Earth.” It was dealing with people who “thought” they had tickets to the 3:00 show, when they actually had tickets to the earlier showing at 11:00. Of course it is always the computers fault, and not the operator who ordered the tickets.
For most of my life, the whole concept of Black Friday was not even an afterthought for me. It was irritating commercial breaks, and filler news stories. It had absolutely no effect on my life. That is until last year.
One year ago today, Black Friday became a new type of holiday. It became my anniversary. Yesterday morning when we got up, I wished Maureen a Happy Anniversary, and she shook her head and rolled her eyes, convinced that her husband was once again an idiot, and I quickly stopped her and said, “It’s Black Friday.” We had made so many jokes about it last year, that she instantly understood and smiled, content with the fact that we now will have two anniversaries in most years.
Black Friday has taken on a whole new meaning for me, but you still wont catch me anywhere near a store or a mall. It is now the day my life changed, and I married my best friend. Happy Anniversary, Babe. Here is to many more great Black Fridays!
She’s so much better than any 3 am deal at Target. Happy Anniversary to both of you.