Tre Miller Rodriguez's Blog, page 75

Seashells and driftwood mark the spot where I spread ashes and...

Seashells and driftwood mark the spot where I spread ashes and flowers in the sea today. The beach in Far Rockaways may not be Paradise Point in San Diego, but I’m pretty sure Alberto would’ve preferred my topless bikini today to my wedding dress in 2005. #ThisIsFiveYears #AndTheresNoHyperventilating #WeddingAnniversary

Ghostwriting

On the eve of my anniversary, I am not frantically making back-up plans for August 26 or watching our wedding video on loop through wine goggles.

Tonight is all about the midnight deadline for an essay about me and Laurie commissioned by Red magazine in the UK. Lotsa last-minute swapping of “realized” for “realised” and “truck” for “lorry” because audience. It requires my AP Style Book, which for no good reason is hidden deep in a desk drawer atop a nondescript black notebook. And hey, I could actually use that notebook for a client meeting later this week.

Except the black notebook ain’t empty.

The handwriting alone would give me pause, but the three lines of cursive words I encounter are so uncannily timed that I quickly carry the notebook out of the office.

If I read any further, time will become fluid and irrelevant.

If I read any further, I won’t file the essay on time.

Essay officially filed, I can now indulge in circular questioning, right?

As in, how do I not remember receiving this anniversary book from Alberto?

Also, how did it hide for eight years?

And, more importantly, what does the next page say?

Fuck yeah! More please. 

Suspense. Is. Killing. Eating. Me. Here’s a little book of..what?

Oh, fuck the fence: is this…for real?

(Why did you shove this in a drawer, Tré? How could you shove this in a drawer?)

Feeling like a textbook widow right about now—seriously, you took romantic gestures like THIS for granted?!—so yeah, moving along.

To…?

His collection. Of reasons.

I married you because you are, by far, my favorite.
I married you because you became my favorite all too easily.
I married you because I knew you were full of shit!
I married you because I also knew you weren’t entirely full of shit!
I love you ‘cause you’re cute, even without putting your “face” on.
I love you because you fell for me as I fell for you.
I love you because you looked back.
I married you because you were able to make me fond of places I once hated.
I love you because you took as big a chance on me as I was taking on you…

And No. 10…

Apparently, it IS possible to fall in love all over again on your anniversary.

Even with your dead husband.

‘Scuse me while I swill some wine and watch my wedding video.

"Over the past few days since my mom died I’ve thought about passages from ‘Splitting the..."

“Over the past few days since my mom died I’ve thought about passages from ‘Splitting the Difference.’ I know I’m not the first to tell you this, but your ability to clearly and raw-ly describe grief and healing has been a help. Your book is normalizing the experience for me, which is oh-so-important. Thanks for all you do.”

- — E. D., Brooklyn

When you’re bursting with news that you can’t share because...

When you’re bursting with news that you can’t share because agents/lawyers/contracts, so you share a real-time selfie instead. 

Celebrating this man—the myths and the memories—over midtown...

Celebrating this man—the myths and the memories—over midtown dinner tonight with Alberto’s sister and family. The birthday ritual of August 14th shapes and shifts each year, and this one finds us getting the band together. Though the seat beside me is not filled by the person who made this calendar date a remarkable one, his goddaughter in a tangerine tutu is a damn good understudy. #CheersNotTearsThisYear

Only in NYC is the Craig’s List buyer for your vintage...

Only in NYC is the Craig’s List buyer for your vintage luggage also a principle actor on @the_newsroom. #iwintheinternetoday

Only in NYC is the Craig’s List buyer for your vintage luggage...

Only in NYC is the Craig’s List buyer for your vintage luggage also a principle actor on The Newsroom. 

"I intend to do a proper review on my Tumblr, but ‘Splitting the Difference’ was just as..."

“I intend to do a proper review on my Tumblr, but ‘Splitting the Difference’ was just as incredible as I hoped it would be. Never, ever, ever stop writing!”

- — Catherine, Colorado (catherine)

Summer of Academia

Two weeks ago, I gleefully accompanied my Grad-Student-Mom to NYU for her student I.D. 

This week, I’ve been at Laurie’s side for the undergrad ritual in Charleston.

My proximity to these milestone moments in the lives of the two women I most love gives me all the prides and joys.

Just encountered the reverse equivalent of a parent displaying...

Just encountered the reverse equivalent of a parent displaying their kid’s art scribbles on the fridge: Laurie’s Wall of Fame in her new place with my published essays all about her. #WhenAdoptionIsAllOfTheAwesome #ThisHasBeenAMetaMoment #Adoption #Bio mom #Charleston