I attended a three day Classical Conversations Practicum recently. My husband joined me for the Saturday session. We were running late when we got there, so I told my husband that I would take the children to their classes if he would please go ahead and go get us a good seat. I was a little shocked to see him take off running, but thought it was sweet. Having realized the two previous days that the seating in the outer sections made it extremely hard to hear and see the visuals, I just wanted to get a seat in one of the middle sections, but I failed to explain myself to my overzealous husband.
By the time I got to the auditorium the meeting was already in session. I scanned the crowd for my husband. Then I saw him–right on the front row! I was not about to walk all the way to the front row after the meeting had started. Jason was sitting front and center and right smack in front of the lady talking. There was no way I was going to sit there. A friend caught my eye and waved me to sit with her. Jason turned around and saw me as I made my way to a different seat. I didn’t expect him to move, at least not right then, but he got up and joined me. “That was completely pointless,” he whispered, meaning his effort to get the best seat.
“I didn’t mean the front row!” I countered, but I could tell he was miffed. “Don’t be mad!” I gave him my best smile. He didn’t respond.
“That was embarrassing!” he whispered finally. What would you think I would do in such a moment? Well, laugh hysterically, of course, being as discreet as possible, you can be sure! What could he do but laugh with me?
I would have marched myself right down to the front and sat with him. I understand why you hesitated to do that, but I wouldn’t have cared. that’s just me 🙂
I give him kudos for even sitting in the front row! I’ve always avoided them and will continue to do so!!!
I agree with Mari — I would have sat with my hubby, no matter where he was. It’s just easier…. 🙂
At times it can be tough to determine the difference between intent and what was said. The joys of marriage is “learning” this particular trick (of course whenever I think I figured out something, alas I have not!). I would think the same as your husband but knowing my dear wife I would pass at that. What I’ve learned is that instead of finding a seat and sitting in it, to just “locate” one and wait for her to join me. I always like to be pretty early to stuff so it’s a rarity when this scenario comes up. As always thanks for sharing your journey with us!
You guys are so funny!
The front row–the bane of my existence especially in church. When my kids were little they always wanted to sit dead front directly in front of the lecturn. Which of course meant you couldn’t look bored as someone prosed on and on and on about the topic of the day. And your kids needed to act perfect or the whole church was likely to notice as they were looking toward the lecturn. I was one thing to do it when I was in school (I was one of THOSE kids, loved sitting near the front and participating (NO DON’T THROW THOSE ROTTEN TOMATOES!). Of course my husband never went to church except on holidays if I held his feet to the fire (metaphorically of course, more like I told him no coffee cake for breakfast unless he came with us!) In your situation I probably would have just grabbed a seat near the back in the center so I could still see and would have caught up with he later or at the break.