Today, March 19, is our 25th wedding anniversary. We have been talking about this day for a long time, plans for a big trip to Europe, maybe a large ticket item purchase in commemoration of the big event. Then reality set in and we decided that this year probably wasn’t the year for a huge expenditure. We are good with that, knowing that instead we will put those funds towards throwing Kirsten and James a wedding of their own later this year. But if I’m honest, part of me really wishes we were in the midst of trip to Turkey and Greece. Maybe next year.
So, what did we decide to do to mark this auspicious day? Well currently we are in a lovely historical hotel in downtown Walla Walla, Washington. Odd choice? Maybe, but for us it has been just perfect. We drove here a few days ago and have enjoyed just hanging out, tasting lots and lots of good wine and buying probably a few too many bottles to take home! We have lingered over meals, lounged in the evenings with books and just enjoyed being together in a small town that runs at a little slower pace than we are used to. I actually think I could live here, the slower pace is kind of nice, lots of cute old homes and let’s not forget hundreds of wineries to choose from. Hmmmmmm, maybe???
Today we head back over the mountains to Seattle. We will stay downtown in another gorgeous hotel, only this time one that is sleek and modern with views overlooking the city around us. I LOVE staying downtown Seattle. For me there is always a certain nostalgia about staying downtown. When we first met and were dating (and then married) we lived in Seattle and I worked downtown in one of those glass and steel buildings. Even though it has been many years since we lived there, I still feel as though I belong there. So maybe one day we will move back there too. I just can’t decide today, slower pace or faster pace? I like the idea of both---depending on the day.
Today we celebrate 25 years of marriage. I really cannot believe it. I don’t feel like we are old enough to be celebrating 25 years of marriage! But then I realize that we have a 22 year old married son, a soon to be married 20 year old daughter and another 16 year old daughter and I guess it makes sense. Still though, we seem so MUCH younger than our parents must have been when they celebrated their 25th anniversaries. I have faint remembrances of my parents’ 25th anniversary celebration. My parents were both 46 at the time, a year older than me and 2 years YOUNGER than Dean. WEIRD! I always thought they had to be older, then I did the math. I tried to find the picture of my family from that day so I could post it here, but I couldn’t, but I can picture it in my mind. All 6 of us perched on the fireplace mantle in my Aunt and Uncle’s living room, my Dad with a big smile, my mother with a pained one. Mom and Candy and I dressed in our Sunday best dresses, Dad in a suit coat, Jeff and Doug in their Sunday best. I remember Mom and Dad getting several gifts made out of silver. After all, your 25th anniversary is traditionally the year to give and receive items of silver. We celebrated with my Mom’s siblings and their families and her parents. That family is always great for a celebration!
Today is our 25th wedding anniversary. We could have had a party, but we would have had to organize it ourselves and I just wasn’t up to that. I LOVE to celebrate with other people, but the thought of cleaning my house and making food and inviting a large group over just wasn’t going to happen right now. No, instead we decided that what we wanted most was time alone, together. After 25 years we still really enjoy spending time alone together. Exploring new things, talking, not talking, any of it is good. When we get back home tomorrow night, we will plan a dinner out with our kids to officially mark this day as a family. Then, we will get back to the normal routine of our lives. Seems strange that today should come and go so quietly, but it is all good. We are together. We may not be the perfect storybook marriage, but we still make each other laugh every day, and we enjoy being together and that is all that really matters. Happy 25th Anniversary to us!
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