Becoming Mrs. Badger

By: 
Leslie Silverman

Well, for many people it’s “good riddance” to 2020. For me personally, it’s been the best year of my life. Besides my Grand adventure, on Dec. 21, when Jupiter and Saturn converged, my honey badger proposed to me. So yes, I am officially engaged!

I have to admit I knew he was going to ask. In fact it was really cool to know, since he had me watch our planets for about a month before they got close. I would look for them every night, and see how far apart they were, conducting a crude measurement with my index finger and thumb. By the time the winter solstice arrived I was able to marvel in the fact that they actually appeared as one star, when just a short time earlier they were over two inches apart!

Our convergence came in a very non-descript location: a random field off of Red Valley Rd, which is off of 7-11 Road in Custer County. The clouds were too unpredictable in Rapid and vicinity to risk not seeing our planets, so my honey badger drove south until we had clear skies. We found an open dirt road and parked next to a stock dam (at the time I didn’t even know what a stock dam was!). Our search for “clear skies ahead” was an adventure, not knowing where exactly we were going to end up, much like our journey in life and love has been thus far.

Before he handed me the real ring, he got down on one knee and handed me a ring he had forged at work. It was quite large and bulky, but very apropos to the man he is: silly and lighthearted.

Even though he knew I would say “yes” and I knew he would ask, he was still quite nervous. Which, of course, made the bashful girl in me come out. With our planets converging, he asked me to marry him, and as darkness descended on us what sounded like thunderous applause came from the distance. A family of coyotes were howling, but the sound we heard was somehow distorted and we both stood in awe.

I am not a girlie girl by any means, but I wanted nothing more than to recant this story over and over to every girlfriend I know. And I find myself staring at the ring, again and again. Not because of its simple beauty or its material worth but because of its symbolic nature, that out of all the people possible, my honey badger chose me! It’s an incredible feeling. Love in general is. But something more happens in this level of commitment. I want to grow old with this man. I find myself so lost in his eyes at times I wonder how I ever looked at anyone else. I listen to him and I remember our first kiss, his shyness and hesitation, and it makes me smile to think of the confidence I hear in his voice and the security I feel in his presence.

And yes, I call him honey badger. And he calls me orange blossom. And we have had these “pet names” for a long time.

And I’ll become Mrs. Honey Badger soon, and that excites me in so many ways.

2020 has been a painful year for many. The zombie apocalypse has affected so many of us. We are very fortunate to be living in South Dakota where we have remained “free.” Yet so many of us have friends or family that have been “locked down,” have had relatives in isolation, have known people who have lost businesses. And during this time anxiety and depression are soaring. I really think the answer to all of these issues boils down to one word...love. I have never felt this much love in my life. For myself, for my badger, my friends, my family. For my bosses that keep me employed. For a roof over my head. And food on my table. For my constant companion Sadie. Love for my health, freedom and of course my higher power. Love is the only way I had to cope with all of the uncontrollable realities crashing down on me during this year.

I know many of you think we will wake up in 2021 and “it” will all be over. And I hope that is true. But if it isn’t, maybe all we need is to love more, harder, deeper. With love whatever evil and terrible things beyond our ability to control can be wiped away or lessened to the point of manageability. At least that’s what I love to think!

Thank you for spending 2020 with me in many ways. I wish you all much love as this new year arrives.

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