84 – Shannon
My wedding vows to Shannon:
Nine years ago, in a George Mason University practice room, you pretended to need help with your Circle of Fourths exercise as an excuse to approach me in the adjacent room. I know, I know, you really did need help with it, but you had already changed your schedule and made a special trip to school with the hopes of finding me there.
I’m so glad you did.
Our relationship kicked off with a flurry of AOL Instant Messenger & Facebook messages and quickly grew to a weekend-long series of marathon phonecalls. Our feeble cellphone batteries strained and marveled at our legendary conversational stamina.
Everything I learned about you was intoxicating and exciting. You were a fellow musician. You enjoyed videogames. You were intimidatingly smart, witty, beautiful and, above all else, you knew who Michael Brecker was.
I was hooked.
So hooked, in fact, that I confessed to you during our first night of phonecalls, “I think I’m falling in love with you. I feel like we’re going to be married someday.” You replied, “Me too.” and I could hear the smile in your voice.
What I couldn’t have known at that time was just how much I would change and grow by your side. In obvious ways such as maturing and becoming an adult, and in far more subtle ways such as learning to lean on you for support in every aspect of my daily life.
In our nine short years together we’ve shared adventures everywhere from the sandy beaches of Half Moon Key to the mist covered “Cliffs of Insanity” in Ireland; from the dusty wastelands of Texas to the snow capped peaks of Colorado; from the rolling hills of Mulgore to the lush forests of Nagrand; from a practice room in George Mason University to the practice room we built together in our home.
Side by side, we’ve overcome so much adversity. invasive surgeries (plural), stolen saxophones (plural), hit and run car accidents (plural), and much time apart due to school, touring, cruiseship gigs, and basic combat training. Despite the hardships we’ve faced, we’ve overcome them all with love and emerged stronger each time. If there’s anything I’ve learned from these experiences, it’s that we can’t be pulled apart.
Our relationship to each other is much like the relationship of two passerby objects in space. The chance that these relatively tiny objects will cross paths in the first place is infinitesimally small, yet once they do, their paths are forever changed. At first, their trajectories are altered only subtly, but over time their gravitational force ensures that they pass each other again. And again. And again. Until their original destinations are long forgotten and they are pulled into perfect orbit-destined to dance among the stars forever.
“Yours is the light by which my spirit’s born – you are my sun, my moon, and all my stars.”
I love you, Shannon Elise Fearon, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.
Very touching. Keep her in your thoughts day and night, she will help get you through this.
Thank you so much, Brian. I will.
Dustin,
I don’t know you, but I love your comics and regularly check for your latest installment.
I’m so sorry to hear about your loss. This comic is a wonderful tribute.
Stay Strong,
Alex
Thanks for reaching out to me, Alex. I really appreciate it. I’m glad you enjoyed the tribute.
Sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing with us.
-Josh
Thank you. Sharing her and her memory is the only thing that feels right.
I’m sorry Dusty, keep on swingin’ man!
Thank you, Teo. I’m finally feeling like myself again and ready to get back at it! Thanks for the encouragement!
I never saw this one until now, just the one after. Damn, man.
Just know I check this page near daily even though you never update it. And the reason is because it absolutely brightens my day when you do, even for 5 1/2 seconds. I’m not saying this to be a cornball, I’m just saying this because getbacktoworkandamusemedamnit!
No, but really, I don’t know what to say. I’m actually starting to cry though so I’m just going to stop typing.
Thank you so much… Your comment and kindness was very touching.
Dustin, we were in the 2 o’clock together all those years ago… I remember Shannon quite well. Such a fun, outgoing, sweet, and talented person. Even back then, I could see how much you two meant to each other.
I just found out about this today–not sure how I missed this, even after all this time…I am still in shock! My friend, I am so, so sorry for your loss. You, Shannon, and your families are in my thoughts. Stay strong!
Thank you, Dan. I really appreciate that. She was all those things at all times. I miss her like crazy. I hope you are well!