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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, September 11, 2005

Yes, read all about it — but he's an OK guy

By Francesca DeMattos
Special to The Advertiser

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Editor's note: Mike DeMattos' wife, Francesca, "commandeered the word processor, seeking revenge for years of shared secrets," reports our regular Family Album columnist. Here, she exacts her revenge.

I still remember that early summer evening when he got the call. My husband was asked to write a column for The Honolulu Advertiser. I encouraged him to accept the offer, and he did. I thought it would be a great outlet in which he could continue his passion for the written word.

My husband is an avid reader and writer. Our home library resembles a small college bookstore, with rows and rows of books, periodicals and reference materials. I even have to sign books out so he knows where they are at all times. If I happen to put one back in the wrong section, watch out!

Anyway, getting back to that summer evening: We celebrated his new journey and saw it as an opportunity for him to talk about his experiences as a family therapist and father. Little did I realize that soon my life would be revealed to so many Sunday Advertiser readers.

The first time he wrote about me, I was a little embarrassed but I shook it off. Even though people found things out about my life that I wouldn't normally share, I still supported my husband's writing endeavors.

Now, Mike is fast approaching his 100th article and I thought I would return the favor. I'm sure he won't mind. He is out hitting a little white ball around while I'm home working hard, cleaning the house and preparing dinner. In fact, before I sat at the computer, I decided to put a load of laundry in. Of course, I had to collect the pile of dirty clothes just 2 feet from the laundry basket.

My husband can shoot free throws like Jordan, but he just can't seem to get the clothes into the hamper.

OK, so he can't throw his socks in the hoop, but when my washing machine broke, he surprised me with a brand-new Whirlpool.

What a great guy, always thinking of his wife.

Mike has taught me many things that I would never consider doing, like roof repairs, tying fishing lines, fixing blown tail lights, replacing toilets and even building shelves. Did you know that building the jigs for shelves is sometimes more fun than building the actual project? Oh, no! I'm starting to sound just like Mike.

Actually, when things fall apart around the house, Mike will figure out how to fix it. Instead of calling someone in to do it, he'll fix it and I'll learn along the way. It gives him satisfaction, taking care of things for his family, and it makes me happy knowing that we're saving some money along the way.

I continue to learn things about the man I married: like his ability to weasel out of housework because he has to help our daughter on a school project, to swing a golf club in the house without hitting the ceiling light fixture, and even to get me to buy him a new bottle of scotch because it is "rarely available" in Hawai'i.

Besides these amazing abilities, the thing that I admire most about Mike is that he is a loving husband and a great father to our daughter. He is always there for us and our family. And after all, family matters!

So now I find myself switching roles with my husband and, I must admit, it's not so bad having others read about our lives — it's even kind of fun. In a strange way it keeps us connected with our family and friends.

I think others read about our adventures and are able to relate and make connections within their own families. It is through these connections that we become members of a larger family.

The written word of my husband continues to touch and connect us all.