Karen is the BEST Wife EVER!

I am honored to be writing today as Muddling through Middle Age’s first guest columnist. I am especially honored to be writing about my wife, Karen Galatz, the BEST wife EVER!

Now some men may initially opine differently. They may say their wives are the “bestest” but once they hear the reason why I affirm that Karen wins this lofty distinction, I’m certain they will change their minds and agree — even risking marital mayhem in doing so!

Let me explain why I’m bestowing the superlative title upon Karen’s head.

Best Wife Ever

It began, I admit, inauspiciously with Winsome Wifey dragging me to yet another theatrical outing, this one back in our former hometown, Berkeley, CA.

Now I like visiting Berkeley but getting up at 5 a.m. to catch a 7:30 flight to ensure making the 2 p.m. matinee (and then turning around the next morning to catch a 7:30 a.m. return flight to begin the Monday workday) is decidedly not my idea of a good time. I mean, seriously what man in his right mind would consider this “fun?” Can I hear a collective “amen,” my brothers?

This particular show escapade was made even more joyous because we woke to discover an unexpected 10-inch snowfall. I had to hustle outside to shovel a path from the front door to the street just so we could get to the street for our waiting Uber ride.

The Shows Must Go On and On

Yet, devoted man that I am, I semi-cheerfully did so, and off we went, dragging our sleep-deprived derrieres off to California so my theater-aholic wife could get her show fix.

After the plane’s wings were defrosted, we were up, up, and away with 6 ½ hours to stay awake until show time. And what was the performance my beloved was so hell-bent to trek across the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains practically before daybreak to see? And why in Heaven’s name do I consider this woman the BEST wife EVER all things considered? Patience, I’m getting to that second answer.)

But first, about the show. It’s titled Cambodian Rock Band and is about the 1975-1979 reign of terror of the Khmer Rouge, which resulted in the deaths of 1.5 to 2 million people, nearly a quarter of the population in that country. Yes, a musical about genocide at Karen’s beloved Tony Award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Now, who says Winsome Wifey doesn’t know how to have a fun time?

Hoping for Hoops!

As we ate breakfast, desperately trying to keep our eyes open, I scrolled through my phone, casually checking the availability and cost of tickets to the Golden State Warriors-Minnesota Timberwolves game which just happened to be that afternoon in San Francisco.

Well, tickets were not just available, but an AMAZING seat was for sale right behind the Warriors’ bench!

My heart skipped a beat. In fact, I must have jumped a little because Karen asked what the matter was.

I tried to stay calm, cool. I tried to act nonchalant. (You all know I am a rabid Warriors fan, right?)

“Oh, everything’s OK. I just happened to notice a ticket for sale for the Warriors game today five rows behind the Warriors’ bench,” I said in as low-key a voice as I could muster.

Then, I got a little more animated. (Karen claims I lost it.)

“A TICKET FIVE ROWS BEHIND STEPH, DRAYMOND, KEVON, AND KLAY. DO YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I’M SAYING? THE FIFTH ROW! THE FIFTH ROW!”

She Really IS the Best Wife!

And just as sweet as can be, my wife who apparently loves me as much as she loves theater said, “You should grab it.”

This was too good to be true.

She had to be testing me. So, I tested her back.

“It’s nice of you to be so gracious, but I know how much you’re looking forward to this show and how much you want me to see it with you.”

“No, it’s OK. Really,” she replied and took my hand. “I’m serious. You should absolutely grab that ticket and go.”

And that’s just what I did.

That’s why, guys, I have the BEST wife EVER.

❤️ 🏀 ❤️

Of course, as we all know, payback is a bi#@h!

For Karen’s birthday, I’m taking her to NYC, and she’s lined up eight shows — eight shows in five days. The woman’s proclaiming it a new personal best, beating her prior record of seven shows in one trip! Oh, well! Teach me to marry a Broadway baby!