By Juan C. Ayllon Having rushed in the first time at the ripe age of 35 and divorced a year and a half later, my prospects for love and marriage weren't looking too bright as I approached 50. All that changed in 2010, when I asked Belle, a feisty mother of three, out for coffee. We'd met at church, and when we began dating, her oldest, Ryan, was away at college and her two Irish twins, Connor and Colleen, were juniors in high school. Roughly six months into our relationship, I scored big points with them when I set up my hi-fi system in their family room; I spent most evenings there, so why not? Up till then, they didn't know how great music and movies could sound at home. Fast forward to today. All three are married, Ryan's son Conley celebrated his first birthday last Friday, and Colleen just gave birth to her daughter, Savanna, a seven pounds and 13 ounces hairy-headed bundle of awesomeness. That's quite a change for a man who's been single and had a lot of alone time n his adult life. I mean, sure I went out, and I enjoyed a variety of interests -- including DJing, covering boxing online, hosting house parties, and taking in jazz and movies in high fidelity -- but I also spent a lot of time in solitude. I recall early in our marriage when Colleen was going shopping with Belle, she'd ask if I wanted to come along, and when I declined, she say, "Well, aren't you going to be lonely?" The truth was, I am a bit of an introvert and, although I enjoy company, I also like my space. And my stuff. When Belle and I were engaged and preparing to combine two households into one, we stored some of our excessive goods in her garage and sorted them into two groups: things that we'd keep and those we'd sell in a garage sale. One afternoon, while fetching an item in the packed confines, Colleen stepped astride my two futuristic, white resin chairs which resembled oversized, stubby hollow point bullets that I absolutely loved when, to my horror, they both collapsed in quick succession. Pop! Pop! I felt ill. But, honest to God, after six months (or was it a year?), I didn't miss them! However, I really grew to love Colleen. With the arrival of Conley, who's spent a lot of time at our home, I have had to make some adaptations: electrical outlet covers, baby gates, the ugly tube protector cage on my preamp, a custom shelf behind the media stand to make my Lampizator DAC and VPI turntable less accessible to tiny hands, and a pair of Soundocity outriggers on my Usher speakers so they're less susceptible to tip over risk (I shudder when I recall a video of a toddler rocking tall towers like mine). Then, there's listening to "Baby Shark" blaring for the 20th time this week or missing listening sessions because the baby's napping. But, to see Conley's smile, to hold him in my arms and hear his hearty laugh, it's worth it. And then to witness the flush of joy and contentment on Belle's face, to sing "Happy birthday" to Conley with Belle last Friday on the Zoom app while he's at the in-laws, and, now, to marvel at the tiny, dark haired beauty in Colleen's arms today via FaceTime (with COVID-19 precautions, we weren't allowed at the hospital) brings a feeling of warmth and fullness running through my chest. Now, I haven't changed a diaper and don't foresee that anytime soon -- baby steps! However, I look forward building memories with my grandchildren and, in time, perhaps turning them onto a little Miles Davis and audio -- maybe even a little Kurt Elling -- as time goes on (note: Conley's already shown an affinity for my speakers). After all, there's always hope for us late bloomers!
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Juan C. AyllonA writer, artist, educator and owner of Prairie Audio Man Cave, he lives with his wife, Isabel (AKA Belle), and their Goldendoodle, Liam, enjoys listening to high fidelity music and all things hi-fi at their home in the greater Chicagoland area.. Archives
March 2024
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