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The bald-headed wonder is off the market
Published Sunday, September 7, 2008
By the time you read this, it’ll be official. Sorry ladies, the bald-headed wonder is officially off the market, effective approximately 2:20 p.m. Saturday.
That’s not exactly true. I was really off the market more than a year ago when I fell in love with my soul mate.
Love is indeed a funny thing. It’s a bit like one’s lineage. You can’t change your upbringing and you can’t change whom you fall for.
If you had asked me a few years ago, I’d have said that I really didn’t expect to fall for someone and seek to share my life with her.
But we’re not in charge of our lives and God had a different plan for mine.
For those of you who don’t know, Julie Finley, who works for this newspaper as managing editor, and I were married on Saturday.
Our courtship — and I expect our marriage — will be a bit different.
Both of us have worked at newspapers for years so both of us know how strange working at a newspaper can be for a single person.
Throw in a relationship and things can get interesting sometimes.
Fortunately, we both work for a newspaper owner who knows a thing or two about newspapers and about love.
When we explained our intentions early on in our courtship, he was happy for us and has continued to be supportive ever since.
Lots of people have asked me how we work together and also have a relationship outside the office.
To avoid problems in our building, we put measures in place to avoid questions of impropriety — pay issues are handled by a third party, all of our department heads were aware of the relationship from the beginning, etc.
Those are probably things most folks who are dating don’t have to worry about. But that’s OK. Those are likely minor bumps on the road of life.
Other interesting things that come up include having to calmly sit by why someone calls your fiancé a racist. Or spending the few days before the wedding trying to figure out how to cover a hurricane with no power for three days.
It’s all part of what makes life — and our relationship — interesting.
So how does this affect the newspaper and its readers?
We don’t think it changes much at all.
Both of us very much love Natchez and love our jobs.
We’ve each got a job to do and we’re each capable of juggling our jobs and our lives, keeping the two separate when necessary and knowing how to prioritize by the moment when necessary.
Although the two of us share editorial board responsibility with Web editor Ben Hillyer, we work as a team of three equal voices.
As most people do, we disagree sometimes on issues. When we disagree about an issue, one person doesn’t have to bow to another’s opinions.
If we fundamentally disagree on an issue, we simply won’t take a stand on it. That’s a policy that’s at play in many of the country’s newspapers, and it’s a long-standing policy here, too.
We’re looking forward to many years of growing as a couple and staying here in the Miss-Lou.
And, if any of you ever feels that we’re being unfair with something that we’ve written or said, please let us know. This is our job. We can handle it if you disagree with one of us or both of us.
We love one another very much, but we can also be professional enough to take constructive criticism well, too.
Thanks for your readership.
Kevin Cooper is publisher of The Natchez Democrat. He can be reached at 601-445-3539 or kevin.cooper@natchezdemocrat.com
Comments
Posted by EnKiKur (anonymous) on September 7, 2008 at 12:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
That is all well and good Kevin, and congratulations on your wedding. However, you will have to be especially vigilant in this relationship for I have already noticed that against Democrat policy earlier this year Julie allowed you to announce your candidacy for mayor of Natchez before you had actually qualified. Perhaps it was a simple mistake but to some it could have seemed a case of favoritism allowing you to get your name out well in advance of all others.
Be sure you let her drive that red sports car you said is likely in your near future!
Posted by ebony (anonymous) on September 7, 2008 at 12:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations on your new life together. Wishing you both a lifetime of blessings,happiness, and love.
Posted by noneya (anonymous) on September 7, 2008 at 1:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congradulations, Kevin. Hope that warm, fuzzy feeling last for many years to come.
Posted by Riffian1964 (anonymous) on September 7, 2008 at 1:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations and best wishes to you and Julie. We are sure you will handle whatever comes "down the trace" with grace and intelligence. Just don't forget to laugh!
Posted by itsmemame (anonymous) on September 7, 2008 at 7:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations and best wishes to both of you. May you have a long and happy life together.
Now, maybe the "team of three" who make the decisions will become aware of the fact that it is not necessary, but, rather too redundant, to have the same top stories listed three times on the home page of the web edition. Is that one headline for each of you? I would prefer to see the previous day's headlines repeated than to see the same one in three different spots on the same page.
Posted by redusmfan (anonymous) on September 7, 2008 at 8:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations. It is a very different view once you say I do....I know, I have been married 3 times.
The Red USM Fan
Posted by colescreek (anonymous) on September 7, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations, Kevin and Julie!! May your time together be blessed with happiness and love!
Posted by Yeahuhuh (anonymous) on September 7, 2008 at 9:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations Kevin and Julie. I am the poster child for commitment and hope for the best for you two. Working in the communications field you to have a great opportunity to work on all your problems -- if you ever have any -- more effectively than most folks. It's all about communication.
Now that you have each other to live for, and all the goodness that can mean, how about doing away with those AWFUL Michael Reagan hate editorials in the print version.
Anyone who will say about anyone's children that "he would like to stick grenades in their rear ends and make them explode" will make a sadder, angrier world for everyone, and you two certainly have too much to live for to buy into that. He,he!
Here's wishing you the best!!!!
Posted by gemccull (Gary McCullars) on September 7, 2008 at 10:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"the bald-headed wonder is officially off the market"
Now, talk about egotistical! hee! hee!
Posted by linenbreeze (anonymous) on September 7, 2008 at 11:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations!
I usually admire your writing but the title of your topic is a little too much this time. "Bald headed wonder" really are you serious are joking? As the saying goes bald is beautiful but there's another saying "beauty is in the eyes of the beholder".
I'm not saying you are an unattractive man it's just the title sounds a little self centered.
Again I do offer my congratulations to the both of you.
Posted by momof4 (anonymous) on September 7, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congrats! I hope you have a wonderful life together with happiness around every corner!
btw... I am married to a"bald-headed wonder" are you an evil twin or an imposter? lol
Posted by ArmyWife1969 (anonymous) on September 7, 2008 at 1:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Oh, Kevin... I couldn't be happier for you and Julie. Having worked with you for several years, many years ago, I didn't think the woman existed that could catch your eye, much less, turn your head. I'm thrilled to know I was wrong. I'm sure Julie is an extraordinary woman.
I don't claim to be an expert on marriage, but I've been married to the same beautiful, wonderfully sexy bald (in the military, he shaves it down to the scalp) man for almost 13 years now, so in a way, maybe that does make me an expert. Here's what I know for sure: (1) Always kiss each other goodnight and NEVER go to bed angry at one another. (2) When arguing, hold hands; it deters violence (3) Never name call or hit below the belt (4) If it happened five minutes ago, it's in the past and you can't bring it up (5) Probably the most important rule... If all else fails -- get naked! :)
Again, I'm so happy for you both and truly wish you a lifetime of wonderful memories together and lots and lots of babies!
Posted by Kaintuck (anonymous) on September 7, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Kevin and Julie,
Congratulations on a wonderful life together! You mentioned God, and as long as both of you keep Him in your hearts, you will do just fine. Besides love and trust, a good marriage requires considerable "give and take", and those that put God first in the equation, are far more likely to succeed! Pride is perhaps the single greatest threat to marriage.
"Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."
Proverbs 16:18
Posted by straightshooter1 (anonymous) on September 7, 2008 at 8:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations Kevin and Julie! I hope and pray for only the very best for you two.
Posted by NatchezEnema (anonymous) on September 7, 2008 at 9:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Good Luck!
Posted by sammohon (anonymous) on September 7, 2008 at 9:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Gary...you misunderstood I think, Kevin just thinks it's a wonder he's bald...LOL...I just love that...I may be white haired, but at least I still have it all! Seriously, Kevin and Julie, my congratulations, regards and best wishes for the future.
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on September 7, 2008 at 10:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, Kevin, I just looked at the engagement announcement and you two certainly make a handsome couple. Both of you look a little different in the engagement photo and the others on here of yall. I would have never recognized either of you on the street. That was witty tho, announcing that you're a goner, lol.
Congratulations and best wishes to both you and Julie.
Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand it's own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudes and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out. If you love someone you will be loyal to him (her) no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him (her), always expect the best of him (her), and always stand your ground in defending him (her)....There are three things that remain--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love. (I Corinthians 13:4-7, 13)
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on September 8, 2008 at 1:07 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Best wishes Kevin and Julie! Bless yall's sweet hearts...what a precious couple!
I know this question rankles you, but when are yall gonna have some mini-Coopers? Instead of spoons in their mouths, the babes will be born with pencils in their hands. Just kidding! Congratulations!
Posted by fire39212 (anonymous) on September 8, 2008 at 2:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Did Julie make his put this artical in the paper? This is kinda funny...
Congrats....
Posted by ntzmom (anonymous) on September 8, 2008 at 3:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congrats Julie and Kevin!
I hope you two have an amazing life together!
Posted by NatchezBell (anonymous) on September 8, 2008 at 7:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Kinda feels like Lois Lane & Superman...
Smile, Have a wonderful life together and have a few Super Kids... :o)
Posted by aak1972 (anonymous) on September 8, 2008 at 9:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I wonder who cares!!!
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on September 8, 2008 at 10:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
lol @ kpage...mini-coopers. That right there was funny, I don't care who you are.
Posted by 2of4 (anonymous) on September 8, 2008 at 12:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)
congratulations Julie and Kevin. I am counting on the powers that be to leave ya'll in Natchez forever. I am a fan of both of you and I think it is great that ya'll are in high positions with your company and they did not try to push one of you out of your job. If more companies realized the strength, loyalty, and hard work they could get from a married couple you might see more. Kudos to the owners of the newspaper, and I thank them that we have ya'll.
Posted by humorme (anonymous) on September 8, 2008 at 2:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congrats! Public school for your kids?
Posted by southernbelle (anonymous) on September 8, 2008 at 4:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm so happy for ya'll ! Congratulations . Obviously you both know how to agree to disagree so there you go ! I think it can only make life more interesting .
Posted by GopherBaroque (anonymous) on September 8, 2008 at 6:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Incredible!
Posted by happyreader (anonymous) on September 8, 2008 at 8:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations Kevin and Julie! May God bless your marriage.
And to those exhorting Kevin to watch out for pride, arrogance, etc... come on, folks. Ever heard of a joke?
Posted by BOBCAT1974 (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 12:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Kevin and Julie! Congratulation on you're marriage!My own anniversary was on September 7th,we cellebrated 35 years.And they said it would'nt last!I would'nt change anything.You see i'm the lucky one!
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 1:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have a sympathy card in the mail to Julie. So sorry. :-)
Posted by kpage (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 7:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hardcorps! I'm gonna stripe up your legs for that! You can't have your cookie or your G.I. Joe Action Play Set until you apologize!
Posted by momof1 (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 8:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations & Good luck to both of you!
Posted by NoWireHangers (anonymous) on September 9, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Kevin & Julie:
Congratulations on your wedding and best wishes to you both.
I am very happy for you and know you will have many years of happiness and joy.
Posted by Peace007 (anonymous) on September 10, 2008 at 10:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I forgot to ask previously, when will the wedding pictures be online? Are yall on your honeymoon or still working at the paper?
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations, Kevin and Julie!
I wish you two the best in life.
I'm getting married in April, 2009. Whoohoo!
Posted by iluvntz2 (anonymous) on September 11, 2008 at 11:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congrats and best wishes Kevin and Julie. I think you guys make an incredible couple and I wish you years of happiness. May every day together be better than yesterday.
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