I had my first year wedding anniversary on Saturday.

I can’t believe it’s been a year that I’ve been married. I also can’t believe that Robert and I have been together for almost three years. It seems like a few months.

Something occurred to me yesterday while I was still basking in the glow of the newly married: I no longer consider myself a freak.

There was a time, not so long ago, where I felt my having Cerebral Palsy branded me with a mark others could see; a mark that said: Dangerous Waters, Careful All Who Tred Here.

Sometimes I felt as it were a large neon sign that flashed above my head in seductive reds and yellows; maybe a bright flash of blue or gold. Always drawing attention to the fact that something about me just wasn’t right.

While I still have issue with my self-esteem (who doesn’t nowadays) it’s been a long time since I’ve felt marked by my disability.

I also realized yesterday that most of this has to do with my husband. He was the first significant other who saw just me, only me. Not “Jamieson who has Cerebral Palsy” or “Jamieson with the Gimpy Legs” or “Jamieson with the Lazy Eye”.

I am not freakish. But instead freakishly beautiful.

Robert sees only Jamieson. He sees only me.

And finally, I am able to see myself.