Sunday, January 20, 2008
Clearly, God really loves me to no end. Nineteen years ago He sent an angel my way.
The result saved me from the violent seas of my American Dream cruise — my leaking, battered boat on the brink of capsizing and dumping me in uncharted, shark-infested waters.
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Enter Shemane, a blonde-bomber radio babe, my Queen of the Forest. She would become my best hunting buddy, my soulmate. She would snag my floundering butt and steer me back on track.
Thank you, Lord. Good work.
Nineteen years, ladies and gentlemen. How bout that! Who says that goofball, out-of-control rock 'n' roll guitar players can't hold down the fort and maintain a meaningful, long-term marriage?
The evidence is irrefutable that in most cases they can't. But that glorious dream came true for this old boy.
This is a hard-core city girl who had never fired a gun or shot an arrow, never gutted a deer, never sat in a treestand. She had never witnessed the MotorCity Madman swing onto stage on a rope in nothing but a freshly killed loincloth.
We lovingly refer to our teaming up as her baptism by fire. Talk about culture shock. She still rolls her eyes when we reminisce. I'm surprised she didn't simply dial 9-1-1 back then and retreat to a safer, friendlier environment.
We fell in love rather quickly, then spontaneously got married in Reno, Nev.
Actor Kurt Russell was our best man. A covey of lovely Vegas dancegirls served as our maids of honor. Is that possible? Legal?
At any rate, the ceremony was moving. Nineteen years later, I can't keep my hands off of her.
Like all marriages, we have our ups and downs. She provides the ups. Me, the downs!
Her patience alone has guaranteed her a place in heaven. I learn how to be a better human being every day by watching her help others. The world is a better place for her spirit, goodwill, love and energy. As a mother, she's simply the best.
She claims she was most impressed with me by the fact that I was 100 percent clean and sober (sexy guitar playing and animal charm notwithstanding).
Rockies, here we come
So we will go skiing in the spectacular Colorado Rockies for our 19th anniversary. She is grace and beauty personified schushing down the snowy slopes. When she smiles that much, I am a very happy man.
I don't ski very well, so I will probably run up and down the mountains behind a pack of bellering hounds, chasing cougars with my trusty bow and arrow. At night we will snuggle by the fireplace, the flames flickering romance and happiness, with visions of another magical 19 years together.
When it is all said and done, marriage is about putting your heart and soul into loving each other, for better or worse, and bringing up your children with maximum love, guidance and inspiration. A team. Soulmates. Partners. Nineteen down, many more to go.
Happy anniversary, Baby. I love you.
Ted Nugent is a Waco-based musician and televison show host. Contact Ted directly at tednugent.com.
