16 years

16 years...

married to my best friend.

We sat at the counter at one of our favorite (maybe just mine...but he loves it because I do) restaurants.

I ordered the Market Street salad + asparagus...he ordered the early bird special (gulf shrimp).

We talked.

It is comfortable--but so dear at the same time.

We think so much alike on the things that are most important to us...

yet so different on a few non-essentials---

which keeps life interesting...

and keeps me learning...

and growing...

and I love him more for it.

We finished the date with an impromptu tour through the city of our old "firsts"

(click to enlarge)

the house I lived in when we met--

the apartment he lived in when we met--

the apartment I lived in when we were dating--

the house he lived in when we were dating--

our first apartment married...

and then the place where we were married.

We talked about our favorite memories together...

and some memories we want to make in the future.

I felt loved, happy, and grateful.

family reunion

We gathered for her...

from OH, NY, CO, IA, AZ, TX & UT

June 24th-27th

She is our Aunt Dot (great-aunt for me)

It was a celebration of her 90th birthday!

She flew in from Ohio...after golfing nine holes.

I want to be just like her in so many ways.

She mentioned during one of our conversations during the reunion--

that we are all a bit more agile and fit than her regular companions.

I asked her the secret of her youth, agility and longevity...

Her secret:  no stress.

She was a child's psychologist for a school district.

She has spent her life doing the things she enjoys (including her work).

She has always been able to provide for herself.

She doesn't let little things bother her.

She spends a portion of every day helping others.

She is very witty.

She is a beautiful letter writer.

...and she had no kids of her own = no stress :)

She has most anything she needs or wants

so I was happy that we could compile a book of pictures and memories to surprise her!

She loved it.

We love you Aunt Dot.

Her only request:  keep gathering.

I know we will.