She's Country...Not Really, but She's Mine...Happy Birthday!

In my last post, I relived the emotional drive to work earlier this week. Every song poked at my emotions in the middle of a time of feeling down. This week I’ve gradually moved out of the metaphorical fog. This morning, however, there was literal fog as I drove to work. The first few minutes of my trip made we wonder if I was only one willing to drive in the fog.
Driving in the fog today provided a nice memory for Bethany’s birthday, which is today. We are looking forward to a three day celebration of her birthday (one day is just not enough for her…and that is a complement!). As I randomly stabbed at the preset buttons on my radio, I ended up on either 97.3 or 100.3, which are both country stations. The familiar words rang out:

I think about the years I spent, just passin' through
I'd like to have the time I lost, and give it back to you
But you just smile and take my hand, you've been there you understand
It's all part of a grander plan, that is comin' true
Every long lost dream, led me to where you are

Others who broke my heart, they were like northern stars
Pointing me on my way, into your loving arms
This much I know is true
That God blessed the broken road
That led me straight to you

- “God Blessed the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts

Apparently the fact that at least 6.7583 million couples on this planet have adopted this as “their song” didn’t dissuade me from thanking God that he lead me through the “what the hell was I thinking” relationships, through the “thought it was, but it wasn’t” relationships, and the “nice girl, but just not the one” relationships, and led me straight to Bethany. I thought of her playfulness, her depth, her love as a wife to me, and her love of our son. I guess it takes a man to admit it, but yep, I got teary for the second time on my drive to work this week; teary also, because I know how “lucky” I am to have Bethany as my wife. She is precious to me!

“God Blesssed the Broken Road” was immediately followed by this touching ode to a wonderful girl:

…She's a hot little number in her pick-up truck
Daddy's sweet money done jacked it up
She's a party-all-nighter from South Carolina, a bad mamajama from down in Alabama
She's a raging Cajun, a lunatic from Brunswick, juicy Georgia peach
With a thick southern drawl, sexy swing and walk, brother she's all

Country, (shoot) from her cowboy boots to her down home roots
She's country, from the songs she plays to the prayers she prays,
That's the way she was born and raised, she ain't afraid to stay, country
Brother she's country

- “She’s Country” by Jason Aldean

Quite touching, huh? Well, in this case it was, because Bethany LOVES this song. It has a huge chugging rock ‘n roll riff with a country vocal, and definitely rocks. So, I think I officially became the first person on the planet to tear up listening to this song (unless it was a non-country music fan who cried from disgust). I couldn’t help but laugh at myself being emotional as I thought about the time I got in Bethany’s car and the radio almost blew my ear drums out as I started the car. She hilariously laughed and said “I was listening to “She’s Country” by Jason Aldean” and then started mimicking the guitar riff (chunk, chunka-chunk-chunk, chunk-chunk, chunka-chunk-chunk - ba…da, da, ba…da).

So, this is my Happy Birthday to my awesome wife, the only one who could touch my heart enough to make me sappy listening to a song about a “redneck girl.” Bethany, you are an awesome wife, and have shown me how much you love me especially in my times of pain. You’ve experienced some of the worst (in the “for better or worse” equation) lately in watching my pain and frustration. You have been tender, strong, sweet, hopeful, and sad for me. Your heart reminds me that love isn’t just found in a song, but it’s real, and I’m glad God blessed both of our broken roads to each other. I hope your birthday weekend is everything you hope it to be. I love you, baby!!