Why I Love My Mom: Part 537

On July 9th, I answered my ringing phone and heard my mom say, "Isn't this your vegetarian anniversary?

Ha! It totally was. On that day 14 years ago, I had my first meat-free day after a final meal of delicious barbeque chicken the evening before. I'm still not sure how I got away with it: I was 13, I was contemptuous, and I said to my family, "Actually, I won't be eating meat anymore, thank you very much" and they said to me, "Okay, weirdo" and that was that. I'm sure they thought it would be a passing phase, but somehow it lingered and lingered and lingered, until a day became a week became a month became a year became a decade became my half my life became 14 years. This is similar to how most things happen to me.

Anyway, I don't think anyone in my family has ever remembered this date before. And when I say I think, I actually mean I know. I'm always secretly hoping for a surprise party of some kind, complete with tofurkey and veggie dogs. No such luck. After all these years, I think they still think I'm a weirdo. Rightfully so.

Anyway. "How did you know?" I asked my mom.

"Well, I saw in the paper that it was Fred Savage's birthday," she said.

Ha! I LOVE my mom! True story: My vegetarian anniversary coincides with Fred Savage's birthday. Most people who know me well know three things about me: 1.) Robert Downey Jr. is my husband. 2.) Fred Savage is my husband. 3.) I have a weird habit of calling guys I like "my husband."

It is safe to say there is no one on this planet who loved/ loves The Wonder Years as much as I do. Kevin Arnold has a permanent place in my heart, as does the lovable actor who portrayed him. So every year, on July 9th, I celebrate the birth of Fred Savage and the death of my meat-eating days. And I celebrate alone, because nobody else cares about this kind of crap. Rightfully so.

But this year, my mom remembered. And she acknowledged it. And I love her for it.