Sunday, July 26, 2009

Sentimental Sunday - Anniversary Edition

Today is my 22nd wedding anniversary! 22 years! Where did the time ago? Especially considering the fact that even though Geoff and I have been married for 22 years, we've been together for 29. (I'm only 29 years old. How can this even be possible? LOL!)



This is a digital photo of a photo. We don't have a scanner that we know how to use. LOL!


Actually I'm 45 years old and if you do the math, that means that Geoff and I started dating when we were 16 years old! That's right. We were HS sweethearts. And the road to matrimony was a long and hazardous one. We began dating the summer between Junior and Senior year, and even though we were deeply in love with each other, we decided to go to different colleges to pursue our educations. We knew we loved each other and wanted to be together, but we were realistic enough to know that we needed to follow our own paths and hope that we could make it work. And we did. For four years we were 8 hours away from each other. We did see each other summers and school vacations - except for the summer he spent in TX after Freshman year (THAT was tough) and the spring break he went to FL. We did manage to visit each other occasionally. And our phone bills were through the roof. (No cell phones, email, or IMing in 1982-86). And we wrote each other LOTS of letters. How I wish I still had some of them.


After graduation I planned to go to graduate school at Northeastern and Geoff was going to find a job. Right before graduation that all changed when he decided to take a year off and bar tend in Lake Placid, NY (near where he went to college). He asked me to join him. I deferred my admission to Northeastern and while he spent the summer backpacking around Europe I was spending the summer living/working on Cape Cod with a girlfriend, just waiting for this new adventure to begin.

Well, he came back from Europe with a different plan. His Dad didn't like the "year off to bar tend" idea and so Geoff came back from Europe with a sweet claddagh ring from Ireland and a proposal. He was moving to AZ to open a branch of his family's manufacturing business and he wanted me to "come with him and be (his) wife". I started to giggle (much to Geoff's chagrin. Even to this day it bothers him that I "laughed") and said yes.

Well, as I said the road to matrimony was full of obstacles. We actually planned and cancelled one wedding before finally getting married in 1987. Like all marriages, we've had our share of difficulty. We weathered some very difficult times during our childbearing years. The road to parenthood was full of hazards, too. And the early years of child rearing were no picnic either.

But through it all we knew we loved each other deeply and were even more deeply committed to each other. And there were plenty of good times, too. We have an amazing life together. My life would not be as full and comfortable and satisfying if I weren't married to Geoff. He is a kind, gentle, devoted and patient soul. (He needs to be to be married to me!). He is a wonderful husband. I thank my lucky stars that we were able to make it on that long, hazardous road to matrimony. I'm a lucky girl. I found my soul-mate at 16. Who says young love can't last? We're proof that it can.

Happy 22nd Anniversary, Geoff! Here's to the next 22. Everyday I'm thankful that you asked me to be your wife. And I'm looking forward to the next chapter of our fabulous life together. I love you. Forever.


13 comments:

Sandy said...

Happy Anniversary! I didn't forget, couldn't forget, just didn't get the card into the mail! How well I remember that day. You look so happy in that photo. Love and best wishes for another 50 years together!

mommakin said...

Happy Anniversary, Pam! What a gorgeous happy couple, both then and now...

As someone who didn't settle down until my early 30's, I am always a little in awe of people who marry (and stay married to!) their HS sweethearts. That says quite a lot of good things about both of you, I think.

Tom and I didn't have a formal proposal, but I DID giggle when he pretty much asked me to 'go steady'. We were in our 30's, for Pete's sake!

Many, many happy returns, Pam!

Esther said...

What a wonderful story. Happy anniversary to you both!

Bethany said...

Happy Anniversary- what a wonderful story :)

nan said...

Happy Anniversary to you and Geoff! What a wonderful post that was.

Unknown said...

I love the way you weave a story Pam! What a beautiful post and a love story to boot. Most marriages are full of ups and downs and yours has certainly weathered this well. I got a little lump in my throat reading this, knowing what what a wonderful woman you are, and how he must be one great man to have you in his life!
Happy Anniversary Pam and Geoff!

Decor To Adore said...

Bravo! Happy Sunday! I am making way through all of the comments I received when I was featured on SITS. It really is a great SITSahood.
Thank you so much for visiting me and have a blessed day!

MrsM said...

Happy anniversary! I was 16 when Hubby and I started dating, and I always love to hear good stories about people who started out like we did and stayed together forever. We're looking forward to our 10 year anniversary in a couple of years, and people like you and your reassure us that we can go the distance =)

Midlife Roadtripper said...

You both look so happy. Congrats on 22 years. Have a great anniversary.

CW5H2O said...

That's the best story Pam, thanks for sharing it, and congratulations on your 22nd wedding anniversary! :)

FranticMommy said...

Happy Anniversary Pam and Geoff! You know what's funny. You and I are pretty close in age (I am 43) and Hubs & I have been married 21 years, BUT I am on the OPPOSITE end of spectrum with our kids being 3.5 and 6.(No, I'm not kidding). BUT reading this part "The road to parenthood was full of hazards, too. And the early years of child rearing were no picnic either" made me feel MUCH better. So it DOES get better! Thanks Pam. :)

Anonymous said...

I think I want to cry and smile all at the same time. What a wonderful story, the way that you tell it is captivating. I wish you many, many endless years of happiness together.

Colleen

Gamma Sharon said...

Sorry this is late... but what a wonderful history! Thanks for sharing your rocky road to matrimony. Beautiful pictures of then and now!
HAPPY HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!... late :(
Oh so happy for the two of you!
Sharon

 

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