#spideog

Some of you know her as Robin, Uma Robin, and/or Spideog. She’s my #1 Songbird and My Babe, Almond Amour, and Cocoa Cutie. 12 years ago, on this evening June 14th 2013, I met this amazing, talented, super-smart, and funny woman who dances in the kitchen (when she’s not cooking world class meals). Little did I know that night—I thought I was just going to see another concert. Here’s how it went:

My friend and former bandmate (sometimes boss) Peter Tork (of The Monkees) was rolling a solo tour, an evening of music and stories about his life and career, live on stage at the Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. Also present were my friends Andrew Sandoval (who coordinated Peter’s tour) and my landlord-friend Mauro Pannitto, who drove me to this gig. It was a great event, and, after the show, a line of people lined up to get Peter’s autograph and take photos. I planned on waiting that out and then say hello to Peter, then call it a night. However, God had other plans.

I wandered off to the rest room and returned to a lively room still packed with people. I spotted Mauro in the line and headed that way, only to interrupt him as he was chatting up this cute and striking woman who vaguely reminded me of Lena Horne. Mauro made introductions, and that’s how I met The Babe Who Changed My Life: Robin Mackey.

Robin and I kept in touch and connected over music, and as the weeks passed, the more I learned about her, the more fascinating she became to me. We met later, ostensibly about music business, and she played me recordings of her original music. Her music bowled me over—I was not just impressed but I was also inspired. Her Irish-ness in music and background intrigued me. Like a dream she kept turning up in her red Mini-Cooper wearing hats from another world or an old movie, sweeping me up in new adventures. Then I learned she was an ESL instructor at City College, she’s a world traveler, and she is deeply invested in spiritual matters. The more I was around her, the more I wanted to clean up my act and focus on her.

A few months later we were “an item,” and she is now my fiancé, soulmate, and partner in all things creative, Godly, and loving. We’re also bandmates and have recorded together. Here’s our cover of a Peter Tork song, complete with the back story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hsj7WlUSRtQ&list=RDHsj7WlUSRtQ&start_radio=1

We’ve grown through years of pains and gains, losses and lessons, and all kinds of peeling back of layers that would drive some people apart. I’m grateful to God for my soul connection to this lovely and loving woman, one I feel complete intimacy and vulnerability with. God keeps giving me fresh eyes, to see here every day like it’s the first time and I can go nuts over her all over again. Wow! What’s next?!? Here’s to another 12-plus years of growing in love.