But you’re behind us...

So this one is way more recent, having taken place in July 2014. Allow me to set the scene...

H, one of our best friends (N), two of her lovely kids, and I went to a local rodeo. Like every rodeo, at least every rodeo I have ever been to, we sat on the hard metal bleachers to watch the show. H and I sat in one row, with N sitting in the row directly behind us. H’s back gets sore so N sat behind her so H could lean against her legs as a backrest when needed. What a great friend, huh? Okay, so back to the story.

During a break between events, I began taking pictures to post up on facebook as memories. I took some of the boys, some of H and N together, etc. N suggests she take a picture of H and I, which is a terrific idea. I can never have enough pics of my wife and I together. H gets a puzzled look on her face and in a rather distraught voice, firmly states, “Well, that’s not even possible.” A bit confused as to what she is referring to, N and I both put our attention on her.

Me: “What’s impossible?”
H: “Her taking our picture together.”
N: “Why is that impossible? My phone takes pictures, too.”

If you can imagine a look of complete and total confusion, please do so now. In an incredulous voice that children generally reserve for magicians, H asks, “But, how can you take our picture when you are sitting behind us?” 

I kid you not, folks, she really said that. I look back at N, who has a look of amazement on her face. This amazed look is commonplace when around H because sometimes words just cannot express the shock one feels when her brain and mouth don’t connect. H catches my look and turns her head in time to see N open her eyes wide and silently mouth the word, “WOW.” H immediately says, “What? I’m serious.” 

At this point, N stands up. “Check this out,” she says while taking two steps and sitting right next to H, “Can I take your picture from here?” 

You can almost hear it as the absurdity of the situation clicked into place in H’s mind. Her face went from confusion to that expression that can only be described as the non-verbalized form of “I get it now.” These are those moments that can only be responded to by telling her how pretty she is, which is something I do often. Fortunately, H has a terrific sense of humor.