With a dusting of flour on the back of my left hand, I sink into the couch—much too late—to write a blog. Dave’s nearby, still in his collared button-down shirt, folding the clothes I’d left there hours ago.
You see, we’ve just been out on the town: Taco Bell chalupas for dinner followed by a performance of Hairspray. A play—or is it a musical? Either way, it was unbelievably wonderful for a small community theater.
Just one minute into our 40-minute drive home, I turned to Dave and said it felt like we’d gone on vacation. The vibrant costumes, powerhouse vocals, and sharp, well-rehearsed dancing had me completely lit up. I even found myself searching “Perry Player Theatre” to see if they offered memberships. (They used to—sadly, no longer.)
Neither Dave nor I had any clue what to expect going in, which made the whole thing even more delightful. And wow—was it funny. The actor playing the mother (a man!) had us howling, especially when her husband groped her on stage in this perfectly awkward, endearing way.
But beneath the laughs, it was the story that really stuck with me—its message of acceptance and inclusion, written in a time when that was far from mainstream. Revolutionary, even.
I didn’t expect to be moved. But I was—by the joy, the talent, and the reminder that stories like this still matter.
Love, Jaclynn
Going On 40 