Happy 1 Year Anniversary / Mother's Day!

A year ago tomorrow I was the luckiest man in the world.  Today, I still hold that title.  I took the girl of my dreams and changed her name.  I told her, and the world, that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her and only her.  A year later, a baby later, a whole helluva lot later, we've made it! 

Everyone says the first year is the hardest.  And I won't deny that, but I think it's also the best.  (Even though I think next year will be better, and the year after that, and after that ... )  :)  Stacey and I have gotten closer than anyone I've ever  connected with.  She is my best friend.  She is my rock.  She makes me the man I am.  She makes me a better person.  When I'm weak, she is strong and vise versa.

Stacey also has risen to hold the title "Best Mom In The World".  And it's a crazy title to be given by a Blackwell.  5 years ago I was shaving my head, taking pictures of flowers, and sending my mom all sorts of goofy stuff to tell her how much I appreciated her on Mother's Day.  5 years ago I had a mom.  Today, I have a mother of my child.  The circle of life continues to amaze me.  A life is extinguished and another life is lit.  Without Stacey, without Zoe, my life and heart would have an empty hole that my mother had always filled with love.  Stacey has stepped up, in honor of Marcia, to fill that spot and shower me with unconditional love. 

My late mother and my wife would've been besties, I'm convinced.  They would've been able to sit around a kitchen table, sipping tea and laughing about all the Blackwell boys.  I could go on ... but it's best not to dwell in the past.

Here's to the best wife I have ever had.  :)  I love you Stacey Nicole Blackwell.  You are my best friend. 

Here's to the best mom that I know!  Zoe and I love everything you do for us, and we will always be trying to show you how much we love you. 

Mush!
Peace,
-marc

Zoe is 8 weeks old...What can you do?

It's Saturday night. A year ago on a Saturday night you could find me at a concert, bar, club, friends house, partying and having a crazy good time. Tonight my wife and I are chilling at home, listening to music, having just as good of a time, but with our little 8 week old girl.

Her name's Zoe, I'm sure you know that by now if you're reading my blog, and she's the most amazing thing to happen to me since...oh, I dunno, Stacey? :) They both lighten up my world daily, hourly, even every moment. Stacey's so happy to be a mom, and Zoe is so happy to be alive. She tells me with her smiles, they both do.

I didn't know what it was going to be like to be a dad. I had no clue. I didn't really comprehend that I was GOING to be a dad until the moment she exited Stacey's body and entered the world. Her first cry was my first "oh. uh. i'm - a - dad." And so far it's been a great, exciting, entertaining trip.

We've taken her all over California, although she's never seen the beach...but that will change once it gets a little warmer. Time suddenly goes FASTER. It's harder to get out of the house when we do get out. Not only do I have to get ready, and Stacey, but we have to make sure a baby's ready too. And that means bottles, diapers, burp cloths, blankets, change in outfits (this is hollywood), and much much more. I'm surprised we even eat!

Did I mention that Stacey is an AWESOME mom? She's the best mom I know. Sad to say, but happy to say at the same time.

I wish my mom could've met Zoe. She would love her.

Sometimes we talk about how Zoe is a part of my mom. That my mom probably looked like Zoe when SHE was 8 weeks old. How crazy is that? It's the circle of life I assume, one goes out and another comes in.

Words can't explain, no matter how hard or poetic I get, the feelings of being a dad. When Zoe smiles at me, I feel a joy that is new and exciting. When Stacey (as she always does) does something very motherly, it creates a feeling in my heart that I can't explain really. I'm a family. I have a family. I am in charge of another little human being, who is my daughter, and will ALWAYS be my daughter. That's cool. That's magical. That's the best feeling in the world. My head rests a little higher on my shoulders.

And as messed up as the world is, as sirens blare outside our window right now as I type, I know that Zoe Marcia Blackwell will be fine because she has good parents, a good family, and a good network of friends. She will know love, and peace, and happiness, and she will have everything she needs, always. She will grow up with 2 parents who love her unconditionally and be supported up until our last days.

I ask that YOU create a better world for my daughter as well. Don't do anything that would comprise Zoe. Don't be a jerk in traffic, try to be more environmentally conscience, treat your neighbors better than you have. If everyone does this, maybe ... JUST MAYBE, we can change the world and Zoe won't have to know war, or hate, or discrimination.

That's all.

Gay Marriage

Yahoo News Story

As a married man, I have a new view on gay marriage. I've always believed that those who are homosexual should be able to be married. But now that I am married - I REALLY believe that EVERYONE should have the RIGHT to be married! I have gay friends, and when we're chilling and hangin' out, I've started to look at them and wonder "why is anyone prohibiting these guys from getting married?" It's absurd! Who thinks they have the right to tell other people how to live their lives? It's like someone telling Stacey and I "uh, no - you can't get married because you liked the new terminator movie". Dumb.

Just my two cents. As California struggles to regain the equal rights we had for a few months I'll be a supporter of anyone and everyone who wants to get married. And once we get CA straightened out (no pun intended) we'll work on the rest of the United States.

Peace,
-marc