Whenever MrNan is out of town I always have trouble sleeping. Last night was no exception.

I'm so lucky to have a wonderful husband to share my Clay love with. Those who know him can back me up. He exists - he's cool - and he loves Clay's voice.

I wasn't an AI watcher. I turned in the last 2 nights to catch Kelly's win. I watched AI2 at the beginning because I was bored. And I adored Clay from the second he came out and said "Ahm the next American Idol". I thought he was beautiful even then. He had exquisite cheekbones and I've always been a sucker for good bone structure. He sang - I fell.

Of course, this was pre-TIVO (who needed it before Clay?). I couldn't replay him for MrNan. So we watched those stupid auditions and Hollywood episodes just for a glance.

Then he appeared and he sang and I loved him as much as before. And MrNan heard him and went "wow" - and I screamed at my TV when he wasn't picked and we waited. And then he was back. And he sang and we listened and our jaws dropped. And we knew he'd be the people's choice.

But we didn't vote. I mean, come on. Who did that kind of stuff? This was a tv show - not something we'd be invested in. So we watched each week and we were amazed each week at just how good Clay was. But vote? Hah!

And then it was BeeGees night. And I was at a meeting in Los Angeles. MrNan was watching by himself - and he called me to tell me what happened after Grease. He was so pissed I could hear the hissing from the smoke coming out of his ears. "That's it - we're voting" I said. And MrNan, bless his heart, did and then I watched, and dialed from my cell phone in my hotel room that night. And every week thereafter. Finals night, we went all 3 hours - we moved from the living room to the bedroom to continue until midnight. Two phones each. Total of 21 calls through. We looked at each other, lying in bed, a phone in each hand . . . and laughed and laughed. How did we get to this place? What was this kid doing to us?

Then the anomoly and my plans went out the window to go see the tour. Yes, I'm one of those cut off my nose to spite my face. I wasn't going to spend money to see Clay after what they did to him. I'll show them. And MrNan was fine with whatever I wanted.

But I missed this strange young man - this wonderful combination of adult musicality and youthful joy. This mad mix of strength and gentleness. This beautiful man who had no idea how lovely he was to look at. So I found the boards and knew I wasn't alone. And went from lurking at TWoP to the CH where I found others who felt like I did, but who were so much funnier, smarter, and more talented than I am. And I grabbed whatever I could find to see AI tour in Worcester. And Mr Nan and I were out of our seats clapping, laughing and screaming like kids.

And there was no looking back.

MrNan belongs to CNN and gets his updates. He asks every day - what's new on the CH. He flies on red-eyes just to get to a concert. And he knows exactly why I adore Clay Aiken. And why I adore the people I've met in this fandom.

MrNan went back to playing the guitar because of Clay. He's always loved music - hell, he played in a rock and roll band in college and he managed record stores in Atlanta and San Francisco. He once told me that Clay had the sexiness of Elvis, the quiet strength of Ghandi and the charisma of JFK. He so gets him and he so understands what we women feel when we hear him sing.

I sometimes say that MrNan was a woman in a previous life. And I mean that as the highest compliment. He loves the new people that have entered our life because of Clay. He adores being around funny, vibrant, interesting women. He's only upset that I get to spend a few days at WolfTrap with Corabeth and he can't make that trip.

This blog entry is a tribute to two wonderful men. One who's voice brings me great happiness and who brought special friendships into my life. And one who's love and support, good humor and good looks make me one of the luckiest ladies in the world.

In honor of MrNan - here's today's Quote of the Day: From success you get a lot of things, but not that great inside thing that love brings you. Sam Goldwyn

ETA: "p.s. If you ever figure out how to take us off of "Clay Time" onto our OWN time, lemme know, huh?" Surely there's someone who knows the answer to this one for TeeeVeee and me? Not that I mind "Clay Time" - just wish I really were on Clay . . . uh, time.