Who’s the Mucho Man?
“Macho, macho man!
I’ve got to be a macho man!”
Macho Man lyrics, the Village People
I have to write and publish this post fast before my husband comes home.
You’ll need to read it quickly too, just in case he comes home and unpublishes it.
You see he’s strangely shy and doesn’t want me to splash his photo, vital statistics and safely guarded secrets all over the internet.
But, if I’m fast enough, by the time he gets home it will be all over bar the shouting.
As lovely, loyal and regular readers of Get In the Hot Spot know, the Mucho Man is my husband.
Now it’s time to create a special blog post about him so that any time I mention the Mucho Man I don’t have to explain who he is and why he’s called the Mucho Man. I can just link here.
So here’s a quick overview on the who, what and why of the Mucho Man.
Who’s the Mucho Man?
He’s my husband, Mr. Rich Candy. Yes, that’s his real name.
Which man is the Mucho Man?
He’s on the right in the photo up top which was taken during our honeymoon in Vanuatu.
The other man is called Cliffy. He was our taxi driver on the outer Vanuatuan island of Esprito Santo.
We stopped off at this deserted beach and when I suggested taking a photo of them, mainly because Cliffy was hilarious and we wanted to have a lasting memory of him, he took Rich by the hand for the photo. So romantic.
Still, you’ve probably visited many countries like India, anywhere in Africa and the Pacific Islands where seeing two men holding hands is a common sight and most likely not an open display of homosexuality.
I told you Cliffy was funny, but the Mucho Man is going to sulk for days because I’ve shared this photo. It’s just not very macho.
Why’s he called the Mucho Man?
Rich called our web design business Mucho because he wanted a name with a spanish feel to it after our 18 months in Central America. More importantly I think, because he’s funny and wanted to become the Mucho Man.
Is he really Mucho… I mean Macho?
If you’re reading this and you don’t know the song Macho Man by the Village People check it out in the YouTube video.
I can happily confirm that the Mucho Man is definitely not macho – not like the guys in the Village People video anyway.
The Mucho Man’s biggest muscle is definitely his brain.
Where did you meet the Mucho Man and when?
We met in Egypt, in the Sinai by the Red Sea way back in 1991. I was 23 and he was 29.
We were in this little village called Dahab and his friend asked my friend to play backgammon with him so me and Rich played together while we waited.
After about 300 games of backgammon over the course of a week (there’s not much else to do by night in Dahab) we started getting used to each other.
When did you get married?
We got married 14 years later in 2006 with our three children in tow.
We eloped to Vanuatu for the wedding to avoid the stresses of a big family wedding. We have friends and family in Europe, New Zealand and just about everywhere in between so organizing all them was just going to be too hard.
Plus it was the excuse for a brilliant holiday and at last I was able to officially get what’s possibly the best surname in the world and rightfully call myself Annabel Candy.
The Mucho Man didn’t want to marry me. It wasn’t me in particular, I don’t think.
He just didn’t feel the need to get married to anyone, ever. But I managed to convince him you should try everything once and anyway, if he wasn’t going to marry me who would with the three kids?
We’ve only been married five years we’ve been together 20 years. It’s astounding. Almost half my life.
Is he English like you?
Yes, but he was born and raised in Kenya. Or Keeeeeeeeeenya as posh white Kenyans call it. The whole Candy family now has both British and New Zealand passports.
What does the Mucho Man do?
Rich takes care of all the techie stuff in our web design business and on my blogs. He’s clever like that and I don’t have the patience.
He’s much more than a techie though. He project manages the jobs, works with the clients and graphic designers, organizes all our accounting and he’s super handy round the house too. Unless there’s a rugby match on telly.
You forgot to share his vital statistics
Six foot two with eyes of blue. It’s true.
Hurry up and spill the secrets then!
Sorry I can’t. He’s just come home so I have to publish this post right now.
It’s probably for the best though.
I think I might get away with what’s been written here so far but spilling the secrets would be taking it a step too far. Publishing that picture of him holding hands with the taxi driver is pushing it.
The Mucho Man might go all macho on me if I write anything more.
Who’s your Mucho Man? Who do you love, depend on and appreciate more than anyone else?
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This is a beautiful post, Annabel. And I adore the photograph. While many will get all freaked out, the reality of it is that it is an outward sign of friendship and it is a testament to the great guy Mucho Man is that Cliffy would think him worthy of holding his hand.
Many more years of wedded bliss!
Hi Sara, oh that’s so funny, thank you:) It’s true. Cliffy must have really like him!
A dedication to the man behind the woman – well written and makes you appreciate the admiration and commitment humans display in a world that is spilling over with atrocities and war. The simplicity of giving love and being loved is ever powerful. Two great minds and two very loving people who I am proud to call my friends. Mucho amor x
Hi Lisa, aw, that’s beautiful. Gracias:)
WOW that’s quite a love story Annabel, thanks for sharing your love with your friends.
I really like the multiple passports; bon voyage to the Candy clan.
Warm regards
Catherine
Merci Catherine. We could try to get Aussie passports too but it seems a bit OTT- hopefully two is enough:)
This is a lovely story Annabel. My story with my Mr Mucho has similarities with yours – like you we went away on our own to get married with our son who was three at the time (on a cruise as Mr D had been seriously ill). We have been together 14 yrs, married for 4. Mine is also 6, 2 with blue eyes. I know it sounds cliche but he is my rock. And together we encourage each other to shoot for lifes adventures on the basis of you are a long time dead!!!!!
Thanks so much for sharing this stuff. It is always really nice to get to know the people behind the articles.
Hi Ali, thanks for telling us about your Mucho Man;) Hope he is all better now. You’ll go far with that life philosophy. We need to remind yourself about that every day:)
So nice to get to know your other half. He’s very handsome! You were definitely ahead of your time having 3 kids prior to tying the knot. You’ve got spunk Mrs. Candy!
b
Hi Barbara, thanks! My mum wasn’t very happy about doing things in the wrong order:)
I so love to read and hear about love stories like yours. I’m certainly not enchanted by complaining wives! Fortunately I’ve got a “mucho man” of my own, and I often call him my prince on my blog, even though he is American and there are no American princes.
I met him in Amsterdam (I am Dutch), we married in Kenya in a ten minute ceremony in which it was explained to him that if he ever wanted a second wife under civil law he’d have to divorce me first, unless he wanted a second tribal wife, and that would work under tribal law and then he could keep me.
The District Commissioner never said anything to me about sec0nd husbands, but standing there at my wedding listening to instructions about getting rid of me before we’d even said “I do,” was interesting.
So, my prince now often introduces me saying “my first wife,” which causes funny looks. I’ve been his first wife a long time — longer than you ;) and so far no tribal bride has joined us.
Hi Miss F,
Trust me I complain sometimes. But that’s so easy to do and as with everything it’s much better to focus on the good and there is lots of that:)
Lol, oh that’s a very funny story and many congratulations on your long marriage. It’s an amazing thing!
Duke, is my man. Don’t make fun of his name, please. He hated his “real” name and at age 5, got sick of the teasing, so he took his middle name and said, “I’m Duke now” to his parents. Duke was his mother’s maiden name, and it is better than his real name, which I won’t tell. Annabel, seems like you running off to get married in Vanuatu is like us running off to get married in Kauai. We do have a lot in common, although Duke is 100% American and had never traveled out of the US, except Canada until we met in 1985 and married in 1986. (BTW, I am so excited, GM asked me to write on their blog about tips for parents of college age kids. I’d love it if you would comment on the GM blog so they know I have some important people reading my blog.)
Hi Sonia,
I love the name Duke, it sounds like Miss Footloose’s Prince moniker for her hubby but it’s real:) Kauai sounds sooooo romantic. Well done on the guest post!
Very light and entertaining article. I like the part when you said that in India and some parts in Africa, two men holding hands is a common sight. It is very interesting to realize that different parts of the world have different cultures. I am an expatriate in Dubai where masculinity matters most, men don’t hold hands but they kiss each other on the cheek and it is a common cultural practice that has nothing to do with their sexuality.
My Mucho Man is actually my Luscious Lady – Mary Beth (my wife).
So glad you have a Mucho Man who comes home to you!
Alex
Hi Alex, lol, I love that you have her in your profile pic. Actually the Mucho Man never leaves home. We both work from home together so we have to do dates outside the house!
Hahaha… Very funny post Annabel. So enjoyed reading it. When I saw that top photo of your husband, even before reading any of your words I thought, he’s NOT gonna like that!
What a great place to meet – Dahab… Sand, backgammon and the deep blue sea! … And you’re right. Candy is a great surname!!
Thanks for some laughs this afternoon. :)
Hi Leonie, poor man. He can’t make me take it down now so he is quietly sulking. I’m sure he’ll get over it though:) The funniest thing is I forgot the taxi driver’s name but Rich didn’t. Dear Cliffy – how could anyone forget him?!
Oh dear, I’m having another look now. It still makes me laugh all these years later!
Well what a cover up. Obviously Rich had an affair with Cliffy after a secret indulgence on gaymatchmaker.com.au – it’s OK you can just say how it is ;)
Alas, there’s nobody Mucho Maiden in my life to talk about… perhaps down to my evident cynicism!
Hi Matt, hmmm, well he does spend a lot of time on the internet:) I’m sure there are maidens galore who’d love to grab you. Any one?!
Hi Annabel,
I’ve got an International Man of Mystery, immortalised in my blog post of the same name. Which he says he’s never met. I always call him my husband, but we’re still not married. 15 years and four children after we first met…
My little daughter would love a wedding, and that’s the most compelling reason I can think of. He just groans at the thought. I wish someone else would organise and pay for a wedding. I’d be there!
> The Mucho Man’s biggest muscle is definitely his brain.
That’s a great muscle to flex.
Hi JD, lol, I think it’s more important than big biceps;)
I met my guy when I was 16 and he was 17. My high school sweetheart. He was dating my friend while I was dating his. We double dated often. My friend didn’t want to “go steady” with him but kept dating him and she would send me to him to ask questions for her. I thought he seemed very intriguing because he seemed smart and mature. He had my attention. One night I went to the drive in restaurant where my friend worked. I had wet hair after a shower. “He” happen to be there eating. He asked if I wanted to go to a movie because all his friends were busy. I thought I was a “last resort” and not really a date. But it ended up being a date and by the end I thought “I could marry this guy”. It took almost 5 years to get married and next summer will be our 30th anniversary. (3 kids too now ages 22, 20, 15) They say that young love isn’t suppose to work out but sometimes it does.
I liked hearing about your guy story in your funny entertaining way……..thanks for sharing.
Mmmm secrets about Rich… I have beat him at poker a million times, he’s witty and sarcy…just my humour and he loves his wife and family! There’s really nothing to pick on is there? hahaha Although I do think he should show his admiration for you everyday by kissing the ground you walk on…altho, he may do this already for all I know haha
How nice to get a glimpse of Mucho Man! I’m happy you have a wonderful partner and beautiful family.
Thanks for sharing your Mucho Man with us. He does sound “mucho hombre en todos sentidos” if you remember what that means from your C.A. days. What a great help to have a live-in techie. Loved your story and how you got together and – eventually – married. As for your question, there is and hasn’t been a Mucho Man in my life ever (despite two marriages), but I do have two “Mucho” sons.
Nyc post Annabel.Like the mucho man I was born and raised in Kenya or is it Keeeeeenya?I still live there today.When do you come to visit?
Go Rich! ;)
Nicely written, Annabel. :)
Dear Annabelle
I just love the gorgeous, light, fun and ‘in the moment’ way with which you write. You took us on a fun journey! Thank you. I get many professional emails posts and also ‘newstarter’ blogs to assess. Rarely getting to the very end with enthusiasm, and yet yours I often find myself not only reading to the very end; I am left wanting more. You open hearts and minds girl. Keep up the good work. Cheers and Merry Christmas to you, Mucho Man and your three munchkins! Jules (a nearby Noosarian :)
Hi Jules,
That’s the best comment ever:) Thank you so much. And you live close to me too…. maybe we will bump into each other one day – that would be fun.