Thursday, June 29, 2017

48

Today is our 48th anniversary. It is not the anniversary of our wedding, it's the anniversary of our wedding. Let me explain. We had a legal, recognized by the state, wedding a couple years ago somewhere in the beginning of June. We don't commemorate that day, it's simply the day that the law got involved in our relationship. We commemorate a the day, where 48 years ago, we got together as a couple, recognized ourselves as a couple and committed to live our lives together as a couple. There was no church service, no gathering of friends, no pile of gifts, no first dance. We were fine with that, we'd found each other and that was, and should be, enough.

We typically mark this day by each trying to be the first to say "Happy Anniversary" - Joe won this year by sneak attacking me at 3:00 AM. We usually have hot dogs and potato salad as our anniversary meal, but this year our day falls on the same day as the last day of school so we will be going out for pizza with two kids who are growing far to quickly. Tomorrow we'll have the dogs and salad.

Nope. No card.

Nope. No gifts.

It's simply a quiet day of being together, much like every other day.

I got a lecture last year about how 'unromantic' that we were. I was told all the things that we should do. Dinner out, fancy dress, elaborate gifts, smooching over champagne ... um, no. That doesn't sound romantic to me, it sounds showy, it sounds contrived. Living in the shadows of other people's limelight has made us very comfortable with quiet moments of harmony.This is what gave us strength during the bad times, this is what got us through and this is what will keep us going.

So, hot dogs and potato salad, an anniversary menu that I anticipate every year. And, it's enough, well more than enough.

16 comments:

Flemisa said...

So thrilled for you to reach so many years. Such an achievement because of the effort you put into it each day. Maybe for your 50th you can have a special dessert.
Enjoy the girls and your pizza. Wishing you many more days together.

Unknown said...

and happy anniversary, however you celebrate it.

clairesmum

Namaste said...

Happy Anniversary, Dave and Joe! Wishing you many more years of happiness!

lexica said...

Congratulations! That sounds like a wonderful way to spend your anniversary. Doing something that makes you both feel happy and loved? Hard to imagine anything better. May you have many more days celebrating with hot dogs and potato salad.

ABEhrhardt said...

Happy anniversary to a wonderful and long-married couple. May there be many, many more.

Unknown said...

Enjoy your hot dogs both of you. Happy, happy anniversary

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary! Your plans sound delightful, and most importantly, they sound personal. What could be better?

Tarawynn said...

Happy Anniversary, and many many more!!

SammE said...

Happy anniversary you two! We just celebrated thirty-three years of being legally married, but it's really thirty-seven years of being together. That always is mentioned. I love your hotdog and potato salad tradition. :) My kind of people! :) Hey! We once had hotdogs for Thanksgiving Four kids full time teaching, it was lovely for me to not have to cook! Many many more happy years are wished for you and Joe.

Andrea Shettle, MSW said...

Happy anniversary!

wheeliecrone said...

You two should celebrate (or not) your anniversary any way you choose. Just like any other married couple.

Congratulations on achieving 48 years of together. Happy Anniversary!

Shannon said...

Happy anniversary. Many ways to celebrate and you are choosing what's right for you.

Liz said...

Mazel tov!!!

Cynthia said...

Have a wonderful anniversary!

Jay said...

You and Joe sound much like my husband and I. We always remember December 30th as the day we got together. We were actually legally married in July (the 2nd I think) but we never remember that one. We also play the game of "who will be the first to remember our legal anniversary". It's usually whoever is home that day and gets the mail with the anniversary card from my mother in law lol. Happy Anniversary :)

Purpletta said...

Dave & Joe,
Happy anniversary! And to many, many more!
What you have together is remarkable and beautiful. I pray many more of us are able to find such true love. Congratulations to you both on your anniversary and on your commitment to the truly important part of your relationship & not to the pomp and circumstance.
All the best to you!
~Purpletta