A love note from the Editor
Irwin and I fall under the legal designation of “common law.” We have lived together for about eight years.
Years ago, we traveled to Vancouver and visited my great cousin, Shia Moser, who was then about 93. When Shia had me alone, he asked, “What should I call Irwin? Shall I call him your partner, your lover, or your boyfriend?” I thought a second and replied, “Call him Irwin.” I use this approach whenever I introduce him. “This is Irwin,” I say. People usually don’t ask, “Is he your husband or boyfriend?”
How I refer to Irwin when he is not around depends on who I’m speaking to. If it’s the repairman, I say “husband.” If I am being playful, I say “lover.” I am against the word “boyfriend” for people my age. I had a lot of those when I was much younger. Irwin surpasses them all! Irwin used to call me his girlfriend or “blonde” but I hated that! Now he calls me his wife. Speaking of “wife,” on the latest TV episode of Grey’s Anatomy, Sandra Oh told her fiancé she would never be a wife, adding that they would have to hire one! Maybe those words, “husband and wife” should also be up for re-definition.
