Forty

Forty years ago this day I stood in church, my two brothers beside me, and took Melanie’s hand, the girl I had met in Sunday School her first weekend in my hometown. Then I kissed her (and tried to be noisy about it).

We did our own wedding arrangements. That means we were the last ones out after cleaning up the reception decorations and leftovers. Which means we hadn’t had time to eat all day. So, driving to our house, we stopped at an A&W drive-in.

We’ll try to do that again today after church. Still great root beer! And still some great memories of the ride with you since then.

Melanie, I love you. I cherish you.

I’m grateful that we’ve shared a love for Jesus Christ as our Savior from the beginning. I am even more grateful that Jesus kept us on track together and in spiritual agreement as he surprised us with the changes and growth of our faith.

I have enjoyed meeting your family, especially your dad.

I’m happy we have been able to take turns supporting each other in trying out career dreams around the country, both when the dreams worked and when they didn’t.

Thanks for all the Hawaiian shirts you made me, including the ones you made where we would both have shirts that looked alike, so people would know we were together.

With no children to stop us, we’ve been able to get up at 3:00 o’clock in the morning and go out for breakfast just because. But you are such a great cook that even breakfast at home is delicious.

You’re always ready to go to the beach. And we even enjoy the ride to beach together.

You keep our house pretty and let me keep my office… like I want.  🙂

You sing around the house.

You have blue eyes.

We had tears in our eyes as we said our vows and I have tears in my eyes now, for the same reason. I love you.

XXX OOO ^^^  (That last one is our secret symbol for love pinches.)

Happy Anniversary, darling  😀