Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 88742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88742 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 355(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
“So, your daddy caught me in his studio, using all of his stuff, and he was nice to me about the whole thing. He even asked me out on a date, and we really liked each other.”
“Wow,” Harlow nods. The rest of the kids follow suit. It’s cute watching all of them. “You know,” Harlow continues, “it’s almost like you have your own reality show now!”
“What do you mean, baby?”
“Well, the YouTube channel is like a reality show. It’s not a competition or anything, but it’s kind of the same thing.”
“Huh?” Tammy says. It looks like the kids have illuminated something for us. I never really thought about it that way either.
“That’s a really smart observation, baby!”
Harlow smiles, happy with the compliment. I can tell Bryson is getting a little antsy. He squirms in his seat for a bit before raising his hand. The table looks at him.
“Yes, Bryson?” I ask.
“Um, you and Mommy are in love.” He says this definitively, with a huge smile on his face. I know he wants the same compliment Harlow got, and he’s little, so I give it to him.
“Yes, buddy! You’re paying attention.” After that, the kids all start talking, wanting to get their own little observations in about their mother and me. This is what to expect when dealing with seven kids. They all have their own individual personalities, but moments like this show how much of a family we are. We are distinctly Barrister.
Eventually, the kids start to ignore us in favor of debating among themselves who has the best statement. I use the distraction to turn to Tammy, offering her my hand under the table. She takes it.
I look deep into her eyes. There’s no plan in my mind as to what to say. I just want to look at my wife.
“What is it?” I’ve been staring at her for a few moments, so I can see why she’s confused.
“I don’t know. I just had this overwhelming urge to set my gaze upon your beautiful face, so that’s what I’m doing.”
“Set your gaze upon my face?”
“Your beautiful face.”
“You are such a filmmaker,” Tammy jokes.
“You’re one too now, running that entire channel. Did I ever tell you how proud I am that you’re my wife? How happy I am? Because I’m so fucking happy.”
“You tell me almost every day, Brick.”
I shake my head because I should be telling her every day. My love for Tammy hasn’t diminished in the slightest since we’ve been together. In fact, I’ve only grown to love her more. Each and every day spent with her is more perfect than the last.
“Well, I love you, Tammy Barrister. I love you and all of the kids you have given me. I love every quirk and every flaw – everything about you.” She looks shocked at my sweet words. I enjoy raining down praise, but usually, it’s done in a different time and place.
“What has brought on all of this? You’re being a little sappier than usual.”
I shrug because I don’t know.
“I’m just feeling the love for my family, I guess. Maybe it was the trip down memory lane.”
“Yeah, it all feels so long ago, but not at the same time. So much has changed since then.”
“Isn’t it funny how it’s all come full-circle?”
“Yeah,” Tammy smiles. “It is. And I love you too, Brick. Without you, my life would never have been this full.”
I give my wife a quick kiss. Before I met Tammy, I never really saw myself settling down. The idea of having a family wasn’t something that I was against, but the concept didn’t feel like something I actively needed in my life either.
Even though Tammy and I got together over a decade ago, I still remember every feeling I had for her back then. I loved her so fiercely and so quickly, I knew I wanted to be with her forever. The plan was to do whatever it took to convince such an amazing woman to want to marry me.
And I did it. We’re married, with the most amazing kids in the world who eat way too much cheese. I was always chasing a better life through work – wanting more awards, more recognition, and more accolades – because that was how I measured my success. But if all of that went away tomorrow – the Oscar nomination, the studio, the films – I would be more than happy simply to have my family with me.
“Brick?” Tammy says.
“Yes?”