Can you believe he’s 35?
It’s hard to tell sometimes that this a man in his mid-30’s since he seems to have the personality of a strange 13-year-old. I thought it would be fun to show the progression from sweet, little boy to weird 35-year-old “man”. His sisters didn’t warn me about the “true” Mike before I married. Sure, I caught glimpses of it before the official day. I actually found humor in most of these things and thought they were, dare I say, cute.
Here he is during his elementary school years. Mike gives the impression that he was a well-behaved and delightful, young boy. Looks can be deceiving though. After attending his 10-year-high school reunion I quickly discovered that in 2nd grade Mike was allowed 5 minutes at the end of each day to do his stand-up routine for the whole class only if he behaved himself all day. Word on the street is that he only got this chance a couple of times.
As you can see here Mike had no fashion sense during his teen angst years. This should have been a little clue about what was to come later in life.
And the hair. Someone who can feel comfortable with that mop of a mane is someone who really has a boat load of quirks.
This seemed really funny to me when I first saw this picture. Actually there is a video of this event floating around. Little did I know that Mike was just trying on a look that he would indeed want to wear regularly as an adult. He’s even said that when he’s done with the military he wants to grow his hair long again and perm it to look like Mike Brady during his curly-haired days. Please someone help me.
Of course, seeing all these pictures of Mike camping and being outdoorsy didn’t make me realize that I was marrying Mr. NRA Boy Scout.
Then there’s the eye. This really should have tipped me off, but I was too smitten by this point to truly see what I was getting myself into.
Had I truly understood all these things early on would have I married this man? Hmmm. Of course, I would have. I know I complain about Mike’s oddities, but I really do love this man with all my heart. Life is definitely interesting spending it with Mr. Hawley. There isn’t a day that goes by where I’m not laughing. A lot. He makes me very happy, and I hope I do the same for him. Even if I have to be embarrassed to be seen with him in public, he still is the best man whom I could have ever ended up with.
November 21st, 20085:33 pm at
What a terrific post. I enjoyed all of the pictures and your tribute to a truly unique (that’s the only word I could come up with to fit him) person. I didn’t get to be party to most of his antics but saw enough of them to really wonder about his future. He truly faked me out and I’m very proud of him (as I am of all my children). One time I had taken the 3 boys to the Country Kitchen right by their house for breakfast. When the waitress came up to our table Mike turned to her and asked “do you think I’m handsome?” He has no shame and isn’t embarassed by his behavior.
Every time I talk to my parents they ask what has Mike been up to this week?
I’m grateful for you and your patience with him.
November 21st, 20087:23 pm at
THE EYE! The bane of all our attempts to take just one nice family picture!
It’s a good thing that imaginary friends don’t show up in photographs, otherwise you would have had to mention them too. We used to goad Mike into telling us fabulous tales of his imaginary friends. We thought he was hilarious, almost like a pet monkey. Oooh, that reminds me of when he called up the state fair shuttle service and asked if he could take his monkey on the bus. (Did I get that story right?)
Jim still likes to recall the first time he met Mike. I brought Jim home from the airport to meet Mom and Gary, and soon after, Mike came running up yelling for us to come watch him launch a rocket with his homemade rocket launcher. Jim was not used to this kind of meet-the-family event. Jim had led a more sedate life and found this new experience to be quiet entertaining. Just last night Jim reminded me of the time Mike and I had climbed up onto an earth mover at a park (Freeman?) and got yelled at and swore at by someone who didn’t want us on there.
Happy birthday Mike! And Jen, you are earning your saintly halo by having to deal with him.
November 21st, 20088:57 pm at
PS. That boy had a mean mullet.
November 21st, 20089:28 pm at
Ah, Mike. That picture of him in the garage or whatever is truly heinous. I recall that he went for sometime without running a comb/brush through his hair. He claims he washed it. Judge for yourselves. He totally looks like a burnout in the picture with his cronies. Jen, you will be rewarded in heaven for your patience. Marrying Mike was truly a sucker punch. But, as you have stated, it is never boring. By the way, he is the only person I know in all the places I have lived to have actually made moonshine.
November 22nd, 20084:52 am at
Happy Birthday Mike! Gotta love the pics.
November 22nd, 200812:20 pm at
Sara reminded me of his imaninary friends. When he was going through this phase I would tell some of my friends about Jimmy-Alicegate-Hockey and they couldn’t believe it. One time Mike came running up to me wanting me to come outside to see Jimmy-Alicegate-Hockey’s water buffalos. He is unique.
November 24th, 20081:45 am at
Happy Belated Birthday Mike! Love the look with the eye!
November 25th, 20084:52 am at
Jenny,
An impressive collage and it shows that you really love your husband. I am sure that in a fake-blogger, third party, indirect manner he would like to say he loves you too. Oh, by the way, I am making rabbit stew for the girls when they get here, I am going to attempt to taxidermize my first squirrel, and please remember to bring Onyx (the black jumpsuit).
Concerned
November 25th, 20085:05 am at
CC-
Onyx says to send his love but will be unable to attend the festivities. He has other engagements. There will also be no items of taxidermy allowed on my property. Rabbit stew is another story and will have to be discussed in person.
November 25th, 20088:17 pm at
happy birthday mike!!! that eye still creeps me out tho! how do you do that?
November 26th, 20082:32 am at
How could you not put a picture of the infamous MN drivers license in there?
November 29th, 20083:02 am at
OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS…. the tears are streaming down my face and my abdominal muscles are getting a good workout from the laughter outbreak. I still try to impersonate Mike in staff meetings, whistling when I say my “s”. Heaven knows how long I’ve stood in front of a mirror, trying to get the one eyelid to just drop and the other eyelid to look as relaxed as it can. I should tear my dental school diploma in half and mail half of it to Mike because his humor got me through the drudgery and helped me enjoy it more. Happy Birthday Mike… you’ll find as I have for the past 3 months, that being thirty five is quite a sexy age, filled with increased levels of brilliance and debauchery!