Yes, 40 years of marriage. There are no words. Possibly surreal applies. How, we ask ourselves, did we get here from there.
We had a small weddimg. All the trimmings just scaled down to fit us. My sister stood up with me. Ron's best friend, and brother-in-law at the time, was his best man. The other two were our ushers. Steve and Doug.
And the happily married couple. OMG!!! Where did those two people go? Kind of feeling a little older, too.
We were, still are, opposites. Ron 6 years older than me, he was still married when we met, had a daughter, been to Vietnam. His parents divorced. His father abused him. He had 2 older sisters and 3 step brothers. I, on the other hand was a pampered, spoiled youngest child. I was sick quite often in my younger years. My parents were attentive and protective and over compensating. Loving, reliable. I have one older sister.
This has kept things interesting and somewhat precarious at times. A fine balance. Never can you envision 40 years in the future. I encourage you new couples not to try. We had no clue the joys and turmoil of 40 years nor what it would take together to prevail.
But here we are. We have a new challenge. Ron is having surgery on Tuesday. He has a blocked artery. Two days or so of hospitalization. After 40 years still need to be strong and positive. No question we will get through this. Shoot, a major surgery is less intimidating than two children!
Could write forever but won't do that to you. We are proud of our life together, children, two grandchildren and look forward to our future. Practicality aside. Unlikely match aside. Cards stacked against us aside. Love, tolerance, compromise and fairness endure. And we still haven't managed to put all these together at once but typically find one that works.
Hope you and yours are headed for many years together!
