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Monday, July 25, 2011

If I Lose Everything in the Fire

You're going to have to excuse me and my inner fangirl today. I really try not to idolize other couples or relationships, especially celebrity couples. We all know that, statistically, famous people who marry each other don't seem to have a great track for staying the course. But there are a few "high-profile" relationships that I really do admire or think about.

If you don't know me, you don't know my long-standing love for Green Day. That's a totally different post but suffice it to say, I think they're poets and I think they speak for a disaffected generation that desperately wants to be affected. Aaaaand they're probably the most amazing live act I've ever seen. Oh, and I should probably also mention that Kyle and I basically fell in love listening to Green Day. One of the first presents he ever gave me was American Idiot. The only summer we spent apart, I had his copy of International Superhits on repeat. "Poprocks and Coke" was the recessional music at our wedding. My last two birthdays, Kyle has taken me to see them live. Green Day has pretty much been the soundtrack to our love story.



Billie Joe Armstrong met Adrienne Nesser during GD's first tour when she asked him where she could get a copy of Green Day's album. After an on-again, off-again long-distance relationship, they got married in the spur of the moment on July 2, 1994 in his backyard.  The Armstrongs just celebrated their 17th wedding anniversary (a lifetime for a marriage in the entertainment industry). They have two sons.


In an interview about their early years, Adrienne said, "It was a whirlwind. I was pregnant, and his band was everywhere. It was completely overwhelming. We were just trying to navigate it all — it was a bumpy ride for sure. It took years for us to find our footing. ... But sometimes I think it was all those trials that made us stronger and brought us to where we are today."

I think I'm most inspired by Billie and Adie because they have been so open about their struggles to stay committed to each other in spite of some unbelievably difficult things. They've been honest about the mistakes they've made and the continuing fight it is to keep their relationship healthy. I also really admire their commitment to their family and to making the world a better place. Adie, who has a degree in sociology, has worked as an activist, an earth-friendly fashion designer, and an advocate of green living. The whole Armstrong family volunteers together for Habitat for Humanity, among other organizations.


Billie Joe and Adrienne - green-day photo

"Adrienne is the only woman I'll ever love." - Billie Joe Armstrong


One of my favorite songs written for Adrienne...


What about you? Anyone have a famous/literary couple they've always kind of liked?


love, elizabeth


PS: Omg, you guys...Two. Posts. Till. Giveaway. Clue #4: Sassy and sun-friendly...

7 comments:

  1. A Sun Hat?? :) I do not know. haha!

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  2. What a cool post! I like Green Day and have a lot of respect for them as artists.

    Honestly, John and Yoko are huge for me. They were meant to be. Even when she sent him away to go be with other people, he couldn't even enjoy that because he really just wanted to be with her. I think their story shows that love is not always perfect or ideal.

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  3. love this post...

    I wrote a post a while back about how much a admire Country artists for being so down to earth and not letting fame tear their families apart. They commit to one woman, love that women, write songs about that woman... It's so sweet to see.

    ps. i'm SOOO excited for the giveaway!! hurry up 2 more posts!!! :)

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  4. Love this. I never knew that about him. I think I oogle all the Jane Austen love stories. Classic.

    Can't wait for the giveaway!!

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  5. Queen is the soundtrack to my love story. Mainly because it was the first cd we could agree on on our first roadtrip together.

    You'll see more evidence of this on October 15th.

    As for couples I love and adore...I have to say that I will love forever that Kate and Leo are best friends and will always always ALWAYS hope and pray for the day they get together for real.

    *sigh*

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  6. I love green day! They definitely
    reflect my high school years. I've seen them live too, and they're pretty amazing. I wasn't aware of Billy Joel's personal life, so it's nice to see their marriage is doing well.

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  7. I love Green Day. I had no idea that he had been married that long. That's pretty amazing!

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