Amy Lu's View

I’m pretty happy with my last blog post (https://amyluedtke.wordpress.com/2023/12/31/movin-right-along/). It wasn’t terribly literary or insightful, but it did capture a charming little domestic Chamy anecdote about me being impatient with Chad’s preparation of a breakfast waffle. 

Too bad it was all a lie. 

Well, not a lie, exactly–I didn’t intentionally invent any content or attempt to deceive anyone–but key elements of my story weren’t true. 

I learned that I had spread falsehoods about an hour after I published my post. In an attempt to be respectful of any boundary concerns Chad may have had, I advised him to take a look at my post since he figured prominently in it. I didn’t think our waffle-related conversations were sensitive or private, but I like to give him a heads up when I blog about him. 

I knew it was possible I had taken some artistic license with my post–okay, I wasn’t 100 percent certain that I was stressed about a waffle. Maybe I told Chad to “Get a move on that” because I didn’t think he was making his eggs in a timely manner. Whatever. Breakfast, Stressed Amy–all the key elements were there. 

So when Chad told me that the incident I recounted had NOT happened over breakfast, had not even happened in our home, I thought he was kidding. Then I was shocked. I wanted to deny it, but after Chad described what really happened and I considered it just a bit, I had to admit he was right. 

The real story: I told Chad to “Get a move on that” when we were at the Heights Theater to see the Barbie movie this summer. I had asked Chad if he wanted popcorn, and he said “yes,” I replied “Then you better get a move on that.” 

If anything, what actually happened was more ridiculous–and therefore funnier–than what I thought. The theater wasn’t at all crowded, the concessions counter was right by us (it’s a small theater with a small lobby) and there wasn’t a line, so there really wasn’t a lot of moving for Chad to do. He didn’t have to make the popcorn, just buy it. 

My literary lie is hardly scandal worthy (I don’t think Oprah is going to be upset with me) but it is disconcerting to me. How many other things–big and small–do I remember incorrectly? I’ve never thought that I’d make a good eye witness in court, but I didn’t think I was way off about my own daily life. 

Just how much of an unreliable narrator am I? I feel like I might be gaslighting myself.

My lesson learned from this could be humility and openness–I should be careful not to be too certain that I’m right.

Or maybe it’s just that I should stop asking Chad to read my blog.

(Breaking news…Chad did just read this post while he walked by the Chromebook– and he said I got the story wrong AGAIN!! There was a concession line but he was already in it, so therefore he couldn’t move on it. I officially give up on accurately retelling this, or possibly any, story. I’m no longer positive that I’ve ever seen a frozen waffle, or that Chad even exists).