I never ever ever thought in a million years I'd be talking about something like this... back in the day, John won a Dallas wide contest to play for Charity Challenge on Ice by dressing up in drag and singing. His sisters helped him dress up. It super freaked me out bc he seemed SO into it as evidenced by the pictures. I really was afraid that deep down he wanted to be in drag... I mean come on, he has 4 younger sisters! Exit testosterone stage left! Then I would be the fool who's alone in 10 years.
Now fastforward to 5 + years later and John is invited to be in the Mr. Relay for Life fundraiser for Mr. Relay (now cue freaked out feelings and insecurities). Their job is to go around in costume persuading the crowd for donations to stick in their purse, followed by the "Talent" competition were most men just lip sang and danced. John decided to take this to the next level by singing, acting, and dancing...and won (youtube search blondie shellbomb). This year, he won, again. John has always been an all or nothing guy, and for one reason or another, he also really likes challenging social norms. I've always been pretty bothered by this, logically, bc well... who isn't. He just loves that it bothers people, so he bothers them some more...I guess. I then discovered the show "RuPaul's Drag Race" in an effort to understand why guys dress in drag. I didn't get much help in that department but it helped me realize how NOT like that my husband is. Sometimes I wonder if being and staying in a character bc that's easier than answering the questions they have about themselves but Idk. I'll have to add it to my list of things to ask God someday.
Anyway, all this to say that so many things have changed since we've had Ally; our relationship, how we work together, the way we treat each other, etc. It's been so neat to watch John morph and mature into this more incredible man. I just had no idea that was one of the awesome things God would do when he showered us with the blessing of a surprise baby. I was so freaked out...and God made it into an awesome thing...like usual...
So when it was Relay time again this year, I just really didn't think twice about helping. I did the works. Make up, hair styling, hair dying, and jewelry placement. And, honestly, I think I rocked it! ** See above. He decided he wanted to be Tina Turner, so he became "Gina Turner." So RuPaul eat your heart out. My baby is Beautiful and me helping instead of running brought us closer together.
Good post. At first, when I saw the drag pics on Facebook, I must admit I was a little disturbed. Cultural conditioning, you know. But I quickly remembered that I have done the same thing and for the same purpose. During my senior year of high school I participated in a fundraiser called the Ugly Man Pageant. It's a beauty pageant for guys dressed as girls. It included a talent section (I sang "Young Hearts Run Free" from Romeo and Juliet), an evening gown section (I wore my little sister's black choir dress. It wouldn't zip up all the way in the back.), and a Q&A section. I should have won, but they gave it to the state champion wrestler who wore a backless leopard-print dress and crawled across the stage. But I'm not bitter. His back was phenomenal.
ReplyDeleteJohn and I share a penchant for turning social norms on their head. I think that's a good thing. If no one ever challenges anyone's ideas, then everyone gets stale, no one grows, and no one learns anything. I still own a dress from the Ugly Man Pageant. It's blue and white. I bought it at TJ Maxx. Yes, I tried it on first to make sure it fit. I wore it to work one Halloween. I also like starting controversial discussions on my website and on Facebook. I run naked 5Ks. It's good to mix it up sometimes. And when we do, it's a huge blessing to have a supportive wife at our side. Rock on.