Rob and Chris took off their coats. Not that it was particularly hot, but the Prince Charlie jacket doesn’t allow much flexibility of movement when working utensils at a table.
I tugged on mine, but the buttons on my vest held me back. I had the youth size, you see, a word I like to use more than “children’s”, where the vest is an illusion created by sewing two panels to the jacket. I would have been naked had I had taken off my coat as the vest is a modern cuirass, offering a form of psychological protection, and I was left with the option of all or nothing.
I made a comment about it in passing, and Rob started to unbutton his vest, then adamantly told Chris to take his off. I had to convince them that I was joking before they stopped.
This has come to define Rob to me. A guy who’s willing to embarrass himself so that others will feel more comfortable. It reminded me of Adam Sandler in Billy Madison, pretending that he peed his pants by splashing water on his crotch so Ernie didn’t feel so bad about doing it himself. Sometimes Rob goes out of his way to help you and ends up embarrassing you even more, but his intentions make it easy to forgive him. His heart is in the right place, and that’s more than you can say for most people nowadays.
It’s the same way with his intelligence. He wraps his thoughts in humour, perhaps as a way of hiding his perspicuity to put others at ease1. Unfortunately, some people can’t see beneath this veneer and misinterpret it as typical male obnoxiousness. It didn’t fool Pat though, who described him as diverse, a person with something insightful to say about any subject. It was only after Pat used that word that I realized Rob is a cosmopolitan who feels at home anywhere doing anything.
Rob is also one of the few people who can tease me and get away with it, because he’s just as self-deprecating. I’ll make fun of his size, and he’ll make fun of mine. And while he’s a man’s man, he has no problem admitting that he has he visits craft stores for his daughter, that he watches cooking shows with his wife, and that he loves his brothers.
That’s the great thing about Rob. He’s filled with confidence and he has no problem speaking his mind, instead of pussy-footing around sensitive subjects2. He’s the genuine article. What you see is what you get, and if you have a problem with him, it’s your fault, not his.
That’s Rob.
Jeff man I’m completely touched by you words i especially liked the mans man part lol i red that over about 5 times with a big shit eating grin on my face i consider u a true brother and as such I’m always willing to go to hell and back 4 family so a lil embarrassing is nothing if it makes ur life all the better wish i coulda seen u at the bbq but short notice il see u soon enough man tnx 4 the kind words ;)
rob
P.S you and pat have amazing taste lol
Words aren’t enough man. Mine aren’t worth much. Pat’s, though, are worth gold. If you have his compliments, then you know it means something.
And yes, we have excellent taste in people. :)
Jeff,
Rob sent me this to read and I have to say it is a perfect description of Rob; exactly the guy I married. :) I couldn’t have put it better myself…though I might have added a few more “personal” details…LOL I know Rob was very touched by what you said, and I must say it’s nice to have someone else see what I see, as opposed to just, what did you call it, “male obnoxiousness!” I may have to steal a quote or two next time I refer to my husband to someone else! :)
And you know, I never got to say, thanks for the dance at Aaron’s wedding! Although neither of us knew what we were doing, it was still fun. :)
You can tell a lot about someone from who they date or marry, and even though I haven’t gotten to know you very well yet, you get instant respect points for marrying Rob. :)
And thank YOU for the dance. I’m sure it wouldn’t have been as fun if we did know what we were doing. :)
Well, I guarantee you I’m more than just “the girl who cooks at superbowl parties!” LOL ;)
uuum ya u also bring us a bevrage ur half food server half bartender
Hahahaha…don’t forget half babysitter.
man she wathes ally and me thats full time bro ;)