I Just Couldn't Help Myself

Another travel story.

We were married in May 1991. Since we had his girls during the school year, we waited to take a honeymoon until July.

We decided to take our first cruise. Just a quick 3 day sailing out of Miami. That was back in the day when you could get a BIG airplane out of Indy direct to Miami. You know, the kind where there is a middle section.

We were in the middle section and most of the passengers were also heading to a cruise. I remember there was a young girl, probably early 20's who was dressed in a little sailor outfit. For some strange reason she just got on my nerves.

She was talking with everyone around her and it was all, "me, me, me". She was apparently a travel agent and was very impressed with her traveling skills.


I know if I was a better person her incessant chattering about herself on the 2+ hour flight wouldn't have bothered me. I just kept reading a magazine and holding Bob's hand.

After awhile I could "feel" her keep looking back at us. Again, I really tried just to ignore it and just kept reading, but it's that nagging feeling that drives you crazy.

When we landed of course everyone stood up but instead of going forward, the travel babe took a step or two back toward us. After a couple minutes, she politely and a little too cutsy said, "Oh my, you have a lovely ring." She was looking at my fairly new wedding ring.

OK, I know, it was a very nice thing to say and it shouldn't have gotten on my nerves, but somehow it did.
I said, "Thank you."

Then she said something that struck me as somewhat odd.

She said, "Your husband must love you very much."

I was a little taken aback. Apparently she was equating the size of the diamond with the size of the love, as if someone who might not be able to afford a nice diamond wouldn't love their wife as much as someone who could.

And I just simply couldn't resist.

I sweetly leaned into Bob and said, "Why thank you, when I get home I'll tell him that."

The shock on her and Bob's faces was all worth it.