They Call Me Mrs Tibbs

The Mrs.
Last week, my husband referred to me as "The Mrs." This is the first time he ever referred to me in this way. As soon as he did it, however, he knew it was a mistake. His buddy, on seeing my stare, simply said, "If looks could kill." Yeah, I was a bit pissed.

I sort of thought I was in a 1950's Black and White Situation Comedy. San apron.

Miss
After my freshman year in college, I came back to work a summer job. With all summer jobs, I seemed to have a lot of free time. I went to a movie with some friends, and while I cannot remember the movie, I can remember purchasing the tickets. You see, the girl who sold me the ticket called me "Miss." That was the first time someone called me that. I was 19 and felt 29. Er, not really what I wanted to feel at the time.

Lady
Another summer-time memory.

I was finished with school, working an "entry level job." It was the summer, and I was laying out at a public pool.

The sun was hot, I had my shades on and tanning lotion. Not sun screen (which now is all that I wear). I was laying out, my book under the reclined patio furniture, and I was just half-thinking and half-listening to my surroundings.

In such a state, it is amazing what you can hear. You can eavesdrop on conversations from across the pool at times is there are not too many people in the pool playing loud games, that is. And sometimes, when there is chatter, it is actually easier to listen to conversations.

Well, there were two teenage boys sitting and talking about the girls and women they were watching. One would ask about one by describing her suit and or location, and the other would rate the woman. Sort of a beauty pageant without the talent competition and sashes with locations written on them.

I don't remember my rating (okay, an 8, but there were several 9s near me), but I do remember one saying something about "that lady." I am in my mid-twenties and have already been labeled a lady. Woman sounds so much younger than lady, though that categorization no longer bothers me.

Mrs.
When I was in school, I thought I would have never wanted to be called Mrs. So-and so. For the title of this blog entry, I chose to use Mrs. Tibbs (I have never seen In the Heat of the Night, but I have always liked Sidney Poitier).

But you know, I felt a bit like a grown-up when called Mrs. Tibbs. I felt like I was not a kid anymore, but I did not feel old. You can be married and be sexy. You can be married and be young. Words have a certain aura about them, and I have never really been bothered by Mrs. Miss and lady, when I first heard them, were a shock. And I would have never guessed that.