I hate it.
That said, she knows that I keep my word and we committed to each other to go on a date every week. This week was her turn to plan it. So, of course, she gets our friends involved, because where's the fun in just turning up the pressure a little bit?
What does she choose? Face paint. The actor in her chooses face paint. Not just anything, though. Animals.
For our entire marriage, I have been her teddy bear. So naturally, that's what I get to be. Now, with that said, Sarah is actually a fairly darn good artist. It's a talent that she is starting to develop in several ways and I'm excited to see what comes out of it. She's using it to make new friends, and it helps her connect to her grandmother who has passed on, another talented family artist. Anyway, even with a rough canvas like my face, she can do a passable bear. That's what I call talent.
Then it was my turn to do her. Now, I can't draw anything on my own to save my life. So I scoured the internet looking for something that wouldn't require me to paint her WHOLE face (less opportunity to screw it up) and was fairly simple to replicate. We came up with a peacock. It still felt like it took hours. I suppose, however, that it didn't turn out too bad. The smile, however, makes all the difference. The peacock doesn't hold a candle to the smile.
Our friends opted for a lion...
...and a raccoon.
At that point, we went over to their house to do some karaoke, some of which even sounded like singing. I learned that I haven't sung in a VERY long time. Apparently, it's not quite like riding a bike. You actually have to consistently practice. Who knew, right?
All of the songs had to relate to our face paintings. So the Lion chose The Lion Sleeps Tonight, by the Tokens. The Bear chose, Bear Necessities, by Baloo the Bear. The Peacock chose Wind Beneath my Wings by Bette Midler. Last, but not least, the Racoon chose Who Let the Dogs Out by Baja Men (because YOU try and think up a song that has a raccoon in it...).
After karaoke, it was decided that we would play a game. Now, normally, when we get together with this particular set of friends, the games are pretty amenable (board games of all types, etc...). Not this time. Oh no. THIS time, we were going to play a "social" game. The game was Fluffy Bunnies. It sounds innocuous, but it is actually an insidious game designed to punish those who hate marshmallows. Honest.
First you place a marshmallow in your mouth and hold it there. Not the minis, a big one. Then, with this marshmallow still in your mouth you say out loud and clearly distinguishable, "One Fluffy Bunny". Everybody takes a turn. Then you add a second marshmallow. And still holding it all in your mouth, you say out loud and clearly distinguishable, "Two Fluffy Bunnies". And so on, and so on, until you cannot understand what the person is saying. Now, I hate marshmallows. Not dislike. Not have a slight lack of fondness for. Hate. The Lion, king of the pridelands, managed to eat four Fluffy Bunnies before we could no longer hear her roar. The bear followed. Upon reaching seven, I could not hold any more of the vile morsels in and had to recuse myself. The peacock followed at eight. And true to his scavenger/hoarder nature, the raccoon ate nine Fluffy Bunnies and had room for more.
So, for an uncomfortable face painting, a pitiful display of acoustic skill and a run in with evil treats, I got to see a smile on my beautiful bride's face (and a peacock too). All in all, that's probably a fair trade. Until next time, when we see what other craziness she has in store for me. I'd better get used to living outside my box. :)
- Josh
