Wedding Anniversaries | Writing My Life

Forty-six years of marriage is a rather non-descript anniversary. Other than the comment – “WoW! You’ve been married that long? That’s really something in this day and age!” – there is not much to set it apart. I researched the appropriate gift for such an occasion and found there is no traditional present, but the “modern” suggestion is an original poem. As romantic as that is, I could hardly imagine my very “left-brained” husband coming up with a verse he hadn’t plagiarized. (In his defense, he is excellent in picking out cards that share the perfect tributes.)

Months ago I came up with my version of what couples could give each other for having stuck together for 46 years – a trip to Ireland. That didn’t seem any more random that “an original poem”, so I went with it. While G.E., the homebody (I almost wrote “homeboy”), wasn’t exactly thrilled about this idea, I whispered in his ear one night, “Don’t you remember that day we married, you kissed me and then said, ‘Sweetheart, when we’ve been married 46 years, I’ll whisk you off to Ireland.’?” He didn’t remember, but I reassured him the promise was made.

“Why Ireland?” you ask.

And I answer, “Why NOT Ireland?”

So off we went to the Emerald Isle on March 25 for nine days, including two for flying and flying and flying. Now, I’ll not bore you with dozens of photos and minute-by-minute details of our most wonderful holiday, but I will regale you over the next few posts with a few favorites of a MOST fascinating island of endearing people that are now part of my heart!

First: PRE-TRIP favorites –

Miracles: 1) Getting G.E. to be my traveling companion. He was heroic! 2) Recovering from a nasty cold and 3) packing 9 days of everything into 2 carry-ons!
Best investment: Skechers GOwalk – only shoes you’ll need!

Sum Total of My Luggage!

“These shoes are made for walkin’!”

How can a type A personality and a type Z stick together for 44 years? Such a good question, but G.E. is a BIG “A”, and yours truly is far beyond type B, C, D, etc. And yet, here we are – an old couple who have been together for four-plus decades; that’s two-thirds of our lives! Surprising?

My friend and colleague, who is also a scientist, says, “Not so.” Opposites do attract and for good reason. According to studies she has perused, humans are often drawn to those who say “poTAYto” when their personal preference is “poTAHto”. (You have to be pretty old to understand that reference.)

It seems that this is Mother Nature’s way of producing “normal” offspring; otherwise, the youngsters would all be busy cleaning, organizing, calculating, and so forth. Or they would be in a constant state of spilling “stuff”, stumbling over “things”, and searching for lost items, people, and places.

There are some who may doubt our sons are “normal,” but the boys do have some of both of us mixed in with a lot of “them”. Which is a great thing. I’d like to say they inherited the best of their dad and mom, but that’s wishful thinking. Instead, they’ve combined everything together to be A.MAZ.ING people that we love so darn much.

But, I have to say, the best decision this crazy lady made o-so-long-ago was to marry her crush! He was adorable then and even cuter now. In between have been trials and tears, laughter and LOTS OF LOVE!!!!

Before this starts sounding like a Hallmark card, I’m wishing for NOTHING more than many many days of continued adventure.

I love you, my Gar! (not GAHR).