A Blogger and the woman who loves him…
Today is an anniversary of one of the best days of my life. Ten years ago, I stood beside my fiance next to the Kankakee River in Wilmington, Illinois, USA. It was a beautiful sunny day (after days of downpours) and despite a mother goose’s protests, I was married to my beautiful soulmate, Jen.
Ten years. It’s a long time to keep at anything. It hasn’t always been easy, but we’ve found a way to make it all work. And even when we do fight nowadays, it’s never something we cannot resolve. In a word, our relationship has become fairly “effortless.”
Early on, things were hard. Moving several times, getting priorities straight, worrying about money, picking out curtains. All of these things were challenging. Some of them may have made lesser couples give up. But we worked hard, and it formed the basis for the love and commitment we have today.
After getting married, Jen and I collected a few things. We snagged anniversary mementos from our families. 10 year marriage anniversary plates, a 25 year vase, a 40 year plaque, a 50 year plaque. These things signified a long term commitment between people we loved, and the kind of marriage we wanted to have. These artifacts hold a prominent place in our curio cabinet as a testament to the power of a good marriage.
Jen, I love you, and I don’t know what I would ever do without you in this world. You are my best friend, my lover, my goofy pal, my confidant, my foundation. Thank you for being there, through the dark and light times, through all the tears and the laughter we’ve shared. I cannot imagine these 10 years without you by my side. I so look forward to the next 50+ years.
You gave me my daughters, and made me realize how much I love being a Dad. Without you that may have never happened. Thank you for that gift, it’s something I can probably never repay.
Ten years, and I couldn’t be happier. Here’s wishing every one of you that reads this has as much success and love in this space as I’ve had. If everyone did, the world would be a much better place.
June 3, 2005 @ 4:27 pm
OH MY GOD that was SO sweet!
Congratulations on 10 great years together, especially for finding such a wonderful person to share your life! Here’s to many more!
June 5, 2005 @ 7:29 am
John, Hey big congrats to you both. Now that you’re almost through the newlywed phase, here’s wishing ever-increasing happiness through the next many decades. Cheers!
June 5, 2005 @ 8:13 am
We probalby shouldn’t mention the little bit of alchoholic courage that was appllied that day.
June 5, 2005 @ 12:09 pm
It wasn’t courage. It was to keep me from choking the crap out of a lot of people (one of them, my future wife) who were all freaking out about stuff
-Grey
June 5, 2005 @ 12:48 pm
Well, let me state this for you John.
Between you and Daly, I believe the fiancee and I have 2 good examples of what a marrage should look like (from our generation.) (I believe that) neither of us are expecting perfection, but a bit of hard work and discussions that will result in a happy family and a good example of our own for others.
Congrats to the both of you… it looks good from this angle
June 6, 2005 @ 3:00 pm
Congrats sir. Best wishes for the future to you both.
June 6, 2005 @ 4:50 pm
Gaak! That is so sweet I think I developed a cavity.
Seriously amigo, congratulations on 10 years, and here is to the next 10 (and the 10 after that).
-Devin.
June 8, 2005 @ 9:48 am
Shawn, thanks man. I dunno if I’ve ever been called a “good example” before
And Devin, I know, I may have developed diabetes simply writing that one. But, I meant every word, and that’s what matters!
Thanks to all for the great comments and congratulatory statements. It means a lot.
-grey