The Wireman sibs
Earlier this month my husband, Chris, and I visited his hometown. Lexington, Kentucky – or for that matter any town in Kentucky – had never been on my radar before I met Chris. However, I felt compelled to experience it since that’s where Chris spent his formative years. He, however, was lukewarm about visiting, as he has no particular fondness for the area. He warned me that the people are not entirely friendly, the area is not all that interesting and the weather is horrible.
He was mostly right. However, for me it was way more than a sightseeing trip as I was hoping to connect with my husband’s “way before me” life. I also wanted to spend time with his old friends, his siblings and their significant others as well as our much-adored not-yet-two-year-old nephew, Quinton, who is referred to as “my boyfriend” because I just can’t get enough kisses from him.
Me and my “boyfriend”
We … or should I say I … chose the first week of April for the visit so we could celebrate my husband’s birthday there. As a bonus, Quinton’s mom, LaTisha, also had a birthday that week. Plus, with spring’s arrival I anticipated green rolling hills and picture perfect horse farms. It seemed like it would be a picture perfect week all the way around.
It wasn’t.
Spring sprung late this year so everything was still brown and barely budding. (However, I will note that my husband’s sister lives in a quiet area outside of Lousiville that was lovely despite the bare trees and flooded river.) But, of even more significance was the one sentiment Chris repeated over and over all week … “I don’t remember that being there.” Or, “Where’s the (fill in the blank) where I used to go all the time?” Or, “It didn’t look like that when I lived here.” Chris is 52 and hasn’t lived in Kentucky since the late ‘80s. Although we did drive through many of his former neighborhoods, a lot can change in 35 years! Plus, Chris hasn’t been “home” since his father passed away in 2011 – before Quinton was even born – so he’s missed the last few years of changes entirely.
Chris and his old school
Is it really home anymore? Chris doesn’t think so. I’ve only been away from my hometown of Philadelphia for seven years. To my husband’s dismay, I very much consider Philly my “home.” I identify with the people and the places and the food and the attitude – and, ok, the accent – there, more than I do with anything in Denver. I spent 35 of 42 years in and around Philadelphia. I’m still very much a Philly girl. Chris, however, spent about half of his life in Lexington and the other half mostly in Denver with pit stops in Atlanta and Amsterdam. He identifies with Denver and sees Lexington as where he grew up. To him, Denver is home.
Another interesting difference that was amplified during our visit was our approach to birthdays. Mine is in October and I dedicate the entire month to celebrating my birthday — and Halloween. Chris on the other hand sees it as just another day – one that doesn’t even necessitate a break from work. I tried to make a fuss about his day and LaTisha’s, but in general the birthday vibes were low key. This isn’t good or bad – it’s just very different than how I look at birthdays.
Oh THOSE Wildcats!
However, there was one celebration that got everyone (but me) worked up — the University of Kentucky basketball game. I’ve never followed a sports team, so imagine my reaction when I found out that UK students were burning couches on campus to “celebrate” UK being in the Final Four. Even if Bon Jovi knocked on my door, I still wouldn’t be burning living room furniture. But I digress, as this wasn’t so important. What was important was the amazing scene in the living room that took place during game three – our last night in Kentucky. Chris, his brother Richie, and LaTisha were cheering, yelling, jumping around and generally going crazy over the game. This was their celebration. I didn’t quite get it, but I didn’t have to as I realized that’s how this family bonds. Meanwhile, Quinton and I ate our “bites,” played our games and read our books trying to keep out of everyone’s way. At one point, LaTisha asked Chris if this was the first game I ever watched. He pointed out that I wasn’t actually watching. And this was true. However, I enjoyed watching them have fun and I loved spending time with my very adorable “boyfriend” even after the clothes came off and he became a blur in a diaper running back and forth between the kitchen and the living room looking for “bites.”
Adorable historic Lexington home
Lexington or bust!
We’re back in Denver now engrossed in our daily routine. I’m still thinking about the time we spent in Lexington. For the record, the old, historic area of downtown is lovely and you can get a beautiful house for a decent price. Yes, I’ve looked at them on realtor.com because how much fun would it be to see Quinton regularly instead of once a year … at least while he’s still little and fun before he turns into an angry teenager? But, Chris says you can’t go home – or at least he can’t go back to what used to be his home. So now my task is figuring out what will get the Wireman family excited – and in the same room again – when it’s not basketball season. Quinton and I only need the three Bs – a ball, a book and a bug. Basketball games and birthday celebrations aren’t even required!
