“Fairies wear boots and you gotta believe me.”

- John Michael Osbourne

Years ago, my sister said my favorite brother-in-law had a magic underwear drawer. He could leave dirty underwear in the bathroom and clean ones would magically appear in the dresser drawer.

Being a bachelor, I thought it was funny. After all, I washed my own clothes and occasionally folded them while watching television. Sometimes they even made their way from the sofa in the den into the closet, but not often. And I have never, repeat never ironed a shirt or anything else.

But all that changed when I met Kathy. Since getting married, the Underwear Fairy has moved into our house. She makes routine deposits not only in the underwear drawer, but also the sock drawer. The Ironing Fairy puts in an appearance on occasion, but only when absolutely necessary. The iron girl is glad the weather has warmed up and I quit wearing long leave shirts.

The fact I got a couple of fairies is only fair, since Kathy has seen a host of them. As a nearly-confirmed bachelor, I had little opportunity to show my romantic side. When Kathy and I started dating two and a half years ago, suddenly I had an outlet.

I would buy flowers, got to her house while she was at work and leave them in the kitchen. When she questioned me, I said it must be the Flower Fairy.

When I moved to Baldwin County and she was still stuck in northeast Mississippi, the Candy Bar Fairy would visit her. I would buy a six-pack of candy bars and hide them around the house. Then over the next week or so, I would call or text and give her hints.

Since we’ve moved, the surprise aspect of the hidden candy bars has been lost to some degree. I still hide them, but Kathy has a penchant for rearranging furniture as she tries to get the house “just right” and find a place for all the “stuff” (I use another term) we moved down with us. A couple of weeks ago, I got rapid fire texts as she reported finding one Snickers after another after another.

Things have settled down the past week. Either she is getting tired or I’m getting better at hiding them.

The Flower Fairy still makes the occasional visit to the house. Maybe we need to start looking for a new fairy. I wouldn’t mind another visit from the Steak Fairy. He, and any fairy that brings meat has to be a he, visited last week bringing ribeyes. Maybe he can bring a new stainless grill when he comes next time.

I’m not holding my breath.

William Moore is the Senior Editor at Gulf Coast Newspapers. He can be reached at wmoore@gulfcoastnewspapers