When You Think Romance is Dead - It May Surprise You

Forty-six years ago today hubby and I tied the knot -- and they said it wouldn't last!  For $100 we bought the wedding package from the Elvis Chapel in Las Vegas.  It included a chauffeur-driven limo to the courthouse to get our license, the cost of the license, the trip back to the Chapel, the chaplain, flowers, music, a witness, a cassette tape of the ceremony and pictures.  I'd say it was a good investment, wouldn't you?

Another Milestone

As a joke over the past year, I invited people to my surprise birthday party.  I knew it would never happen so I felt safe making a joke about it.  As this new decade approached, people asked me what I was doing for my birthday.  Neither my husband nor I have ever made a big deal about birthdays and I often forget them until I looked at the calendar.   When my hubby asked me what I would like to do this year as it was a 'big' one, I asked him to cook dinner for me.  He makes the best halibut cheeks and my mouth watered just thinking about them.  

When my daughter said that she and the kids were coming for a visit on my birthday weekend I was ecstatic.  That was the best present.  They were here for four glorious days.  

What does for better, for worse mean?

November 24, 1997, was our 25th wedding anniversary.  Anyone who has been married that long usually has questions and reflections about their relationship.  





Over the years, there were moments when I wondered if we would make it another year.  Although our relationship was strong, the circumstances we endured over the course of those years were horrendous.  Our lives were battered, often bruised, and broken more times than I can count.  Yet, we survived.  Yes, we grew stronger.  But as some people have said, "I'd take weakness over all the struggles you had to endure to make you stronger."

When you start your life together as a couple, you concentrate on a bright future.  You talk about all the hopes and dreams you have together and individually.  When trials come, you work through them -- together.  Rarely does anyone anticipate that almost every year would bring a major trauma into your lives.  But, in our case, that is what happened. 

From Heartthrob to Heartbreak - Use Your Words

I had been concentrating on my career since my last breakup and swore I was done with finding a long-lasting relationship.  This was working out better than I anticipated and dating again was not on my mind.  But when I came out of the photo booth after getting a new passport photo taken -- there he was - standing in broad daylight.  I heard the birds chirp and the violins start to play.  Is there such a thing as love at first sight?  Could he be my long-awaited heartthrob?

We chatted a bit and I felt the feeling was mutual.  He was getting his passport picture taken as well.

How Do You Ask Your Fiance if He was Unfaithful the Night Before the Wedding?

One.  Two.  Three....Seven   The sound of the clocks brought me back to reality.  Nine...eleven
Was it really that late?  Twelve.

I stood on the bridge at midnight as the clocks were striking the hour;  lost in my thoughts, vaguely aware it was starting to rain.  Isn't it written somewhere that if it rains on your wedding day, it is good luck?  I needed more than good luck.  I needed some guidance. 

"Sorry, I don't really want to tell you this, but I will never forgive myself if I don't.  I saw Jake with another woman a couple days ago and it was obvious they were more than friends."

An Anniversary Toast to My Beloved of 41 Years

This month we celebrated our wedding anniversary and this is the toast I gave to my husband of 41 years --

THE PERFECT DAY

We met early in the morning, you and I. Even before breakfast, we knew we were going to be together the rest of the day.

Throughout the morning, there were many moments of turmoil, doubt, and uncertainty. But we knew we belonged together and.... together we would overcome.

By mid afternoon, we received two priceless gifts, our children, a son and a daughter. They came into our lives as the blessing we always had hoped for and believed we would have. The afternoon also proved to be tumultuous but our love for each other and for God kept us strong and focused and … together.

We are now entering the evening of that day and we have received five more incredible gifts. A son-in-law, a daughter-in-law and three grandsons.  No matter how many mountains we had to climb, or hurdles to jump, the blessings of the perfect day are many and I raise my glass to you, my love, and our seven beautiful children.

I thank God for each of you and for the perfect day.

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