This is the beginning of Love Month for us. I know, it is cheesy, but I am cheesy!
The Kissing Bandit has been part of Love Month since 2002, when Randall and I fell in love. Last year the Bandit was not able to hold air. We blew him up for 6 years...yes, the same balloon for 6 years! I took it to random florists, Walgreen's, etc and begged for helium. It is too fragile to hold air anymore. This picture was taken during his last year with us in 2007. In order to get it aired up that year I had to buy a balloon at the flower shop...so I tied it to its arm. You do what you have to do!
Here is the history of the Kissing Bandit:
Randall came to my cousin Hollye's backdoor V-Day of 2002 with this balloon in front of his face and body. It scared the pee-waddling out of me, at first glance. Claire Allyn was only 1 year at this time and it was taller than she was. It walked on the floor as the air hit it. She was scared to death, as you can imagine. We took it across the street to Aunt Babs & Uncle Joe's house to keep Claire from being afraid in her own home. It was great comic relief after a depressing week. Our grandmother had died earlier that week and it was still very heavy on our hearts. Randall then gave me my favorite perfume (Safari, of course) and I gave him a new Bible and red throw with his name on one corner and mine on the other. We were so sappy then.
Randall's birth mom liked me alot in our early years and bought this balloon at Walgreen's and had him give it to me. It was great fun. I took it back to Conway with me and left it in the living room of my apt. My air/heat unit was not working real well and I had the apt manager come look at it. When he came in he jumped and yelled. The Bandit moved out of the corner when the door opened and startled the poor man. He was so embarrassed and I almost peed my pants from laughing.
Randall and I had only been married a week when we celebrated out 2nd V-Day. I had the Bandit blown up at Walgreen's. When he got home from work I was standing at the door with it in front of me. It was a total surprise to him. After that the Bandit stayed a surprise. I would air it up and hide it in the closet, trunk of the car, shower, etc. He was part of our family, really. I now have him in a box, folded up. He is too fragile to hold air. I plan to one day find another one like him online. I have seen them online but they are so expensive. I may wait for the 10 year anniversary and surprise Randall with a new Kissing Bandit. It is sure to make him smile.
I will share more fun highlights from Love Month in the coming days and weeks. Be prepared to gag, Julie.
Abby
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