Perfektly Mary

Dustin is such a fun guy to get to know. You can’t put him in a box at all! He contradicts any stereotypes and challenges what you think you know of him. That is part of what I love best about him. He has a half sleeve of tattoos but hates cussing. He’s super friendly but actually an introvert. He hates using Christian-ese words like “sanctified”, “quickened by the Holy Spirit”, “saved”, but has a diploma in theology. He drinks, but thinks that partying is stupid. He loves the fact that he has an old truck with no window, no AC and no tailgate, but takes pride in all of the “quality” purchases we’ve made. He drives a motorcycle, and yet there’s this part of Dustin that is an “Old Soul”. He loves nostalgia. He loves classic literature and the thought of being a grumpy old man, cooped up in his study.

So keeping with the grumpy old man theme, for Father’s Day I bought Dustin a pipe, some tobacco and the complete leather bound collection of Sherlock Holmes. You’d think I was the best wife ever! I haven’t seen him that smiley and chill for a looooong time. I kept wanting to check the bag to make sure that it was just pipe tobacco in there

Buying his gift was an experience all in itself. My journey into the realm of pipe buying reminded me of high school and certain pipes I may or may not have bought back then. Going back into smoke shops, walking past the hookas, bongs and other stuff all while pushing a double stroller, was a weird experience to say the least. I felt like I was doing something wrong. Something illegal. Somehow exposing my kids to the dark under belly of my youth.

The guy that runs the shop was super nice and the other stoner, chain wearing hoodlums customers all melted and played with the kids, between their coughing spells. The kids loved it and clapped and sang for their rough but sweet audience. I think I’ll leave the buying of the tobacco up to Dustin now. He’s on his own. But it was a nice reminder of what God has brought me from and helped me to see the life that He has given me.

Now, I’m researching all sorts of stuff about tobacco smoke, because I love the smell of it. I like to be around Dustin when he’s smoking, but I’m not sure if it’s as harmful second hand as cigarettes.