Today marks the one thing I’ve done longer than anything else in my life. Twenty-nine years ago I cemented the best decision I ever made and married my wife, Kathy. Although I don’t think either of us is surprised we’re still together, I still wonder at times how she’s managed to put up with me that long.
While you can’t quantify what almost three decades with someone means, here’s a minute glimpse of what’s transpired in that time:
- 3 wonderful daughters — 24, 21 and just shy of 19 (who became well-adjusted adults despite their father)
- 3 Labrador Retrievers (including the current three-year-old)
- 1 Golden Retriever (the current canine queen of the house)
- 3 towns
- 3 rental apartments or houses
- 2 homes we’ve owned with the bank
- 9 vehicles (not counting kids’ cars)
- 5 Presidents
- 7 jobs
- Numerous foibles survived and disagreements surmounted
- Innumerable tears and tribulations
- Infinitely more moments of joy
- 2 lives still savoring better or worse, richer or poorer, sickness or health, as long as we both shall live
In other words, one happily ever after.
All that I am
All that I ever was
Is here in your perfect eyes
Snow Patrol, “Chasing Cars,”Eyes Open
Congratulations. Staying together seems to be more of an accomplishment every year. And of course, there is the ever increasing number of those who only get together to have children now and then so that the state supports them all the time for generations.
Tolerant wife and I (despite being tagged as rabid liberals by some) have been together for a bit over 40 years.
Thune seemed to complain and campaign implying Democrats had no family values or defective values. I’m not at all sure the wingnuts have a monopoly on family values even though they talk as if they are sole users and appliers of such virtues.
Stay healthy and maybe you and dear wife can have a relationship that exceeds the length of the 40 year war.