41 Comments
User's avatar
Steven Crisp's avatar

I don't know what it is about your writing style and your story-telling, but I really do love it. It just flows in and out of me, like breath itself. Thank you for blessings/

Rob Tourtelot's avatar

Thank you, Steven, this comment made my day. I appreciate you!

Alex Michael's avatar

Well said!

Wendy Varley's avatar

Wonderful flashbacks through the years, Rob. Happy anniversary to you and Emma.

Rob Tourtelot's avatar

Thank you, Wendy, and for sharing. I really appreciate it.

Rick Lewis's avatar

Happy anniversary Rob. Loved the bookends of the last story, the man on the stairs with the book that was making everything stop and then Emma in the cafe with the book that got your relationship started.

Rob Tourtelot's avatar

Thanks so much, my friend.

Debra Fried's avatar

How I love this! I felt exactly as you did whenever I exited Save The Robots, and yet went back time and again. I guess the messy fun outweighed the 6AM shame - actually, I'm glad it did. Your memories capture a certain time in New York so well, and the speak to your love of Emma beautifully. Thank you.

Rob Tourtelot's avatar

That’s great you spent some time at Robots, too. It was an incredible place. Maybe it was 6am that it ended, come to think of it. But it was hard to feel any other way upon leaving, wasn’t it? So happy to hear from you, and that this landed, thank you, Debra!

Nora Thompson's avatar

A beautiful emotional piece to read on my sunny morning in Ottawa. Thank you for your words.

Rob Tourtelot's avatar

Thank you, Nora—what a beautiful comment. I really appreciate your reading, and letting me know you enjoyed it.

Margaret Bennett's avatar

Happy Anniversary.

Rob Tourtelot's avatar

Thank you, Margaret!

James Bailey's avatar

Congratulations Emma and Rob. Lots of beauty in this one. Your marriage, your family, your memories, your writing. I could go on. 😊

Rob Tourtelot's avatar

Thank you, my friend. I appreciate you!

Brigitte Kratz's avatar

What a beautiful arc of love and life we‘re catching glimpses of, back to the very first *two* things…Congratulations to both of you & your children!

Rob Tourtelot's avatar

Thank you, Brigitte! What a lovely thing to say.

Rona Maynard's avatar

Happy anniversary, Rob and Emma! I wish you wave upon wave of moments as beautiful as these.

Rob Tourtelot's avatar

Thanks so much, Rona! I’m always so happy to hear from you.

Howard Beye's avatar

Those are lovely vignettes!

Rob Tourtelot's avatar

Thank you so much, Howard!

John Nathan's avatar

Gave me chills❤️

Rob Tourtelot's avatar

Lovely to hear, man. Thank you.

Cathy Joseph's avatar

I loved this, Rob! In part, I have seen how much Avenues A & B have changed over time - along with so many other places in the Village. But mainly, your revisiting resonates deeply with me. When in areas where I once lived, I feel a need to revisit my specific neighborhoods and their associated memories, and to see how they have or have not changed. It's a touchpoint with my past that calls to me. Traveling with you and your wife, and following the memories you revisited has been deeply touching. Thank you for sharing it!

Rob Tourtelot's avatar

I’m so happy to hear this, Cathy, and very glad you found it touching. I’m glad you revisit your old neighborhoods and memories, too. Thank you for this lovely response—it means a lot to me.

Elizabeth Beggins's avatar

The reverse chronology is perfect, Rob, and of course the stories, too. You found the f-ing key!! Gosh!

Rob Tourtelot's avatar

Thanks so much! Very glad you enjoyed these, and I really appreciate your sharing it.

ClaireG's avatar

This made me smile—Happy Anniversary! I do have to laugh that when I asked my current husband what his first recollection of me back in 2003 he replied “you were bending over in your low waisted jeans and crop top—oh the lovely styles of the early aughts -and saw your thong. I died laughing as he recounted this lovely memory. Lord I wish it had been me reading a book (I was a complete bookworm). Thankfully he assured me, that though there has not been a thong on this behind in fifteen years, he loves me even more in my granny undies.

Rob Tourtelot's avatar

Thank you, Claire! Fantastic memory from your husband. And I'm glad he loves you even more today. Sometimes I wish we all had more photos of those pre-smartphone days, and other times I'm like, eh, probably for the best!

ClaireG's avatar

I wish I had a few pictures from back then….but you are smack on right—it is probably good there were not! Have a beautiful day!

Sarah Crowder's avatar

This was beautiful. Happy anniversary.

Rob Tourtelot's avatar

Thank you, Sarah! So glad you enjoyed this one.

Alex Michael's avatar

So lovely, man. The reverse chronological structure was an awesome treatment for this piece. Wishing you guys the happiest of anniversaries.

"Emma and I are stuck in a cringey loop of trying to convince these two die-hard skeptics that we once had lives here, before them." This cracked me up, haha. Also shoutout to P.G. Wodehouse

Rob Tourtelot's avatar

Thanks, man—glad you enjoyed the structure, particularly. And yes, Wodehouse!