Fortieth Anniversary
Most of us love to celebrate important milestones. I remember the party for my parents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary and my father’s 100th birthday celebration. Sadly, I don’t remember my own 80th birthday party to be held in March, 2020 because it never happened. I had to cancel four days before the party. The next day the NBA postponed its season, and shortly after that the entire state of California went into lockdown due to COVID-19.
Last week Daveen reminded me that March 22nd would be our fortieth wedding anniversary. (She also remembers the birth date of everyone on the planet.)
Daveen was, of course, correct – it’s been forty years! If you follow my blog you will have read about many of our adventures together (and you can find all of my blogs at peopletoolsbook.com). While this year we weren’t able to commemorate the occasion with a public gathering, we still enjoyed our own private celebration.
I’m delighted that Daveen and I been together for most of our lives. Like many young couples, we liked the thought of growing older together. Not that we are old – that standard is a moving target – but we are getting closer.
Growing older together. Is the reality of this as romantic as it seemed the day we were married? Absolutely. I love our many shared experiences and being able to communicate in shorthand. While others might not know what I’m referring to when I mention our return from Iceland, Daveen knows exactly what that means. (Helpful hint: don’t pack your prescription drugs in a single bottle, like I did, when crossing an international border. We met a few Customs officers who love to confiscate unlabeled pills. Especially painkillers.)
Sharing lives, both the joys and the sorrows, with the same partner for more than forty years is comforting. By now we have worked out most of the “bugs,” and neither of us is going anywhere.
At 11:30 pm on March 22, 1981, I carried Daveen over the threshold of our room at the Pierpont Inn after a full wedding day. I was so happy I didn’t notice that the flowers I’d ordered to surprise her had never been delivered to our room (they were still in the hotel office). As you might imagine, even without the flowers, it was a wonderful night.
Happy birthdays and anniversaries to all!
Alan
P.S. The Pierpont Inn refunded $50.00 to me for the flowers.
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