Love Story

Bill just read in the local paper that the record high temperature for this day occurred in 1974.  It was 93 degrees.

Here, I've been telling everyone for years it was 95.  Guess I didn't check my facts. 

The truth will set you free, so I'm free to spread the word for the next 37 years that it was actually 93 degrees the day we got married.

I'm hoping I'll remember that long.  For now, I do remember how HOT it was at St. Joseph's Catholic Church when Fr. (now Msgr.) O'Donovan pronounced us man and wife.  It was beastly, to say the least.

And, that extra Hi-C punch our friend Chris Moon had to run to the store to get for the rest of the reception tasted mighty good.  Those were the days when cake, some nuts and mints and punch and coffee did it for wedding receptions.

Anyway, today's the day we celebrate our marital bliss.  It hasn't ALL been marital bliss.  We have our moments like everyone else.  

There's been stomping off, there's been salad flung across the kitchen,  there's even been get out of the car and walk out in the middle of Colorado, there's been the silent treatment----yes, all those "memorable" moments.

Those times are what makes the good times better.  I savor all the good times, like our spontaneous ride around the Selle Valley in the new old motorhome the night before last. Bill pulled the motorhome out of the storage shed and said he was going to take it down the road.

"Can I come along?" I asked.  He nodded.  I cleaned all the grass bits from the weed eater off from my clothes, invited Kiwi and Kea and climbed aboard.  Bill drove down Selle Road, turned on Colburn-Culver, then Jacobson, then East Shingle Mill.

The new old motorhome performed beautifully after a winter of rest. 

Within 25 minutes or so, we were back at the Lovestead, feeling a little giddy about our evening trip through the farm country.  During the drive, I talked of times ahead when maybe Bill, the dogs and I could take off somewhere and stay longer.

He's talking about retirement, so that possibility of hitting the road every now and then does exist in our near future.  

With his retirement will come new challenges in our 37-year marriage.  We've all heard the horror stories of too much togetherness when both parties retire, but I think we'll do just fine cuz we've have both tangible and intangible space to go do our own thing.

And, that's been a common denominator for why we've lasted this long.  We give each other space, and we do our own things.  We respect each other's "own things," but we also share a lot of common interests.  

Our marriage would never make a tantalizing screenplay cuz there's not a lot juicy stuff to be told----just steadiness, unwritten and unspoken understanding, mutual support, respect, teamwork when the need arises, and plenty of that space, which in its odd way brings closeness to a couple.

Our marriage has brought us a lot of tangibles---two wonderful children and a beloved daughter-in-law, a beautiful home we own free and clear, a menagerie of crazy pets, and even that new-old motorhome. 

We also have our weekly givens:  have a good day, what's new down at the church, where do you want to go for dinner (Friday nights), iz the Schwan's man coming tonight, etc. 

All in all, it all works, and that has translated into the celebration of this day.  So, that's my love story and I'm stickin' to it----maybe another 37 years.  

Let's see, I'll still be 100 June 15, 2048, and Bill will have just turned 98.  Do ya think it's possible?  Better yet, do ya think we'll still know each other?

Happy Anniversary to Bill and to all others who celebrate on this day. 

One other note----no heat records today!  We'll be lucky to break 70!