Twenty Years

Today is our Twentieth Wedding Anniversary. I've been sitting here in front of that first sentence, trying to decide what to say next, and finding it difficult. Me, the wordsmith, the talker...can't find the words. So I'll pour out a little of what's in my heart, share some photos, and a card. There's no challenge involved, so some of you may want to bail now.

We'd both been married before. I'd been widowed, and he'd been divorced. Neither of us were beginners at life or marriage. Each of us had raised/were raising children. He had five, I had three. Blended family, though only the youngest was at home full time. A few of the others were in and out in between college, graduate school, med school...well, you get the idea. The kids got along well, which was a blessing. Some were married, and by the time we got married, there were four grandchildren already. We'd wanted to just go to the courthouse, and have a really quiet wedding, but things got out of control when we realized it would already be a big wedding if only the kids showed up. We managed to keep it fairly small, with a brunch reception that followed. All of our kids stood up in the wedding, plus a future (now ex...) daughter-in-law, and a friend. My dad even gave me away. We were married at the DeKoven Chapel, a non-air conditioned, small chapel in July. What the heck were we thinking????? Thank goodness the ceremony was at 10:00 in the morning. It was one of those sultry summer days better spent in the water or in air conditioned rooms. But we all made it through and neither of us, nor the bridal party, nor any of the guests fainted from the heat.

Fast forward twenty years. And I mean really fast!!!!! They've flown by. John and I are still a good match. Somehow, we've managed to grow together as a couple. He retired from UWP where he taught American History to undergrads for many years. Now, anyone married to a workaholic knows that workaholics never really retire...he continues to write, do book reviews, guest lecture....me, I make cards and play with the grandkids!! We've been empty nesters for the last 15 years, and have enjoyed watching our kids mature, and we continue to watch the ever growing gaggle of grandchildren with much love and pride. Our count will be up to 19 by my birthday in September. And yes, I can give you their complete name, date of birth, and either list them by family or in chronological order. Each one is a blessing, and I am truly thankful. I'm pretty sure we're still a good match.

So does anyone remember linking up to Darnell's blog in January when she and the "Mister" celebrated their 42nd anniversary? We got to post our wedding pix. At that time, since I knew I wanted to post this anniversary, I posted a photo of Paul and I. He's the one who died some 23 years ago now. Today is different. I've got a few photos of my wedding to John. Bear with me here, I only get to have one 20th wedding anniversary.....

A quick note here... none of the photos are very good...and my scanner's not hooked up...


The first one is rather amusing. You need to know that on a good day, I can stretch alllll the way up to 5'1". Before I got into my dress, but after I had my crinoline on, I sat on the couch while the girls were getting my gown out. Jeanne snapped this photo. Notice my feet don't touch the floor.

This is my dad and me walking down the aisle...

The newlyweds. Life has changed, and so have we. I'm no longer a size 4. My hair is no longer dark, dark brown, and there are a pair of trifocals sitting on my face. John's lost weight (doo-doo head), and his comb over has been a thing of the past for quite some time, thanks to son Tom!

Cutting cake. And like silly kids, we did save the top and had it on our 1st anniversary. Wasn't so good after a year....and what a goofy veil...what was I thinking....?

And here's a bye-bye photo. With granddaughter Alyssa who loved having her photo taken...even with a booboo on her chin. And just so you know, she's 21 now.

Did you notice the collar bones??  They've seemed to have disappeared some where....probably on the bottom of one of my paper scraps boxes...

And last, I seriously do promise, the last photo is of the card he's getting. He wanted blue.

And now an end to this. Wonderful life. We are blessed and happy. Thanks for listening.