My five years with Ronnie

by Susan Palmes-Dennis

“Married couples who love each other say a thousand things without talking.”

-Chinese proverb

Today, May 20, is my fifth wedding anniversary. I thought about whether it is appropriate to write and publish this since this may not be the right place to do so.

Then again I answered my own question; if I can write about others why not write about myself and Ronnie? In short it is the “I’m going to write anything I please” day.

We were married in a simple ceremony in Gatlingburg, Tennessee. The place was romantic and lovely, almost like you're visiting another world. Gatlingburg is the wedding capital of the Carolinas and in fact, the US.

The ambiance was perfect and simple. It was simple because there were only four of us: we, the officiating pastor and the assistant. 

The chapel was located atop a semi-elevated land where the car can only park at a certain area on the plain level and the people who wish to reach atop have to walk. 

It was adorned with all the beautiful flowers that one can imagine the garden of Eden in books and illustrations. The shrubs and trees were manicured and maintained. 

The pathway was clean and everything on it is really designed for that beautiful “aha moment.” I was panting as I walked since I wore heels. It wasn't an easy walk because even Ronnie took sometime to move.

Eventually we reached the top. Looking back I likened it to the walk we had for the five years that we have been married. Never been easy, there were good days and rough days but mostly there are happy moments shared by two adults who pledged to stay together for the days of our lives. 

I was reminded of that saying either from a movie or from a book I read. Maybe it was sort of my “East, West, North and South,” that I read on my Sunday rest or during breaks on my weekdays.  

I recall that it was said during the movie “Four Weddings and a Funeral” by Hugh Grant.  We have our good times and bad times in five years and I have to write this so you know our story. 

We have known each other for two years online before he went to visit me in the Philippines. That time he posted along with his good looking picture a Bible and a big pot while he stirred whatever it was inside the pot. 

My thinking was that with the Bible I am sure we'll be sharing our time in church which I do love much and with the pot, he will make sure that my tummy would always be full thus my life would be secured. Indeed it was a good sign for me. A Bible and a pot. 

To me, it represents the spiritual and the earthly matters.  So far so good for me. I don’t know with him (lol).

But since we've spent five years together I have to tell you five things why I am still in love with my ex-boyfriend Ronnie Dennis. 

1. He's stingy. Now he stops giving me gifts on Mother’s Day. His reason “You are not my mother.” We discussed this since I was appalled. “Are you kidding me” He was philosophical about it and for all intents he is right.

You only give gifts to your mother on Mother’s Day. Of course he is wrong with his reasoning but I find this funny that I'm not annoyed at him for not giving me gifts on the most important day for women mothers or not. Despite this I love this man.

2. He is argumentative to be polite about it. He argues with me but he has learned his lesson well that he stops arguing with me anymore.  He never wins anyway. At first he is on the winning side but before the day is over he is losing that eventually and I would show that he lost the battle anyway.  I told him not to start a battle that he can't win.

But there are times that his arguments are valid that I let him win or I compromise. His worst enemy is his mouth either directed at me or to anyone else. 

This is actually related to # 2. Still I am learning how to tame his tongue. But he is improving, his tongue is becoming dry most of the time. Reason: I told him I would get a big needle and sew it. Despite this I love this man.

3. He is morbid as he loves his prepared obituary. Yes it is true he made his obituary already, he has his own crypt fully paid. And I don’t discuss with him especially if it is on Friday. He is excited about it. 

Yes it is ready and the only thing missing is his body. In fact he asked me to join him but I told him already if he dies ahead of me I am going home to the Philippines.  Despite his love for death I love this man. 

4. He is funny. When he talks to me I usually answer him- he claims that his brain is frozen but when I answered it is defrosted. 

It happens to us many times and it makes this marriage interesting. These are among the five reasons why I love the man I married.  

5.He is generous and his heart is made of soft tissues that even if he doesn't have it, when something is needed I trust that he would deliver. And these generosities include my family I left behind and even to our friends.

Our marriage is not that perfect, we have personal issues, or with the family. We have our share of struggles, health concerns and we have these illnesses but we have learned to compromise. We promised to  stay in love and we will have so many more years together.

As long as we have God and we dedicate to honor God all days in our life then we would be okay. Love you Ronnie Dennis and happy five.

(Susan Palmes-Dennis is a veteran journalist from Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao in the Philippines who worked as a nanny and is now employed as a sub-teacher and a part-time teacher assistant in one of the school systems in the Carolinas.

Read her blogs on susanpalmesstraightfrom the Carolinas.com and at http://www.blogher.com/myprofile/spdennis54. These and other articles also appear at http://www.sunstar.com.ph/author/2582/susan-palmes-dennis.
You can also connect with her through her Pinterest account at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/41025046580074350/) and https://www.facebook.com/pages/Straight-from-the-Carolinas-/494156950678063)