blessed beyond my belief

Today is our 37th anniversary. Our marriage was one NOT embraced by my parents, me being 18 and in college...but I met my soon to be spouse in May of 73 - we bloomed a friendship then- and married him in October. We were engaged in August of that year on his birthday. Sadly, our marriage was sort of an elopement, but the town registrar leaked out the news to my parents and all and that was a dicy point.(small town drama!) We were married by a Methodist minister in our town that DID insist and give us the prenup test when we talked to him at that time, and he said he never had seen two people so well suited for one another. I saved those tests, and they are true statements!Still to this day...I think a lot of couples today overthink everything and are not willing to make the sacrafices, that's just me. I just wish everyone else had seen that we were so well suited to one another... Our anniversary is a bittersweet day, I love my husband but hated for the strife it made in our lives...it took my Dad till right before his first grandson arrived 6 yrs. later to make peace, and my Mom took the brunt of it (she supported our decision to much hurt to her, and I will always love her for that so much- she really had a great relationship with my spouse and that was awesome!).
Anyway, my dear man works away most of the time, me here managing and he away doing the same...but our time together is totally precious and the clock ticks with anticipation before he arrives, and meter running when he gets home...but we enjoy every single minute...Some say we have the best of both worlds- it's like a honeymoon everytime he comes home...I beg to object, it's very hard but it's what we have done (even with the kids being little which was very hard- he travelled while I was pregnant and after the sons arrived...but was ALWAYS there for their births...) and what we will do till he retires...That wonderful man sent me 37 of my favorite roses today, and a card that would make you blush to read...I'm a romantic, and he always has been also, and shows it now more than ever! We are more blessed than we know. Isn't it wonderful to find your best friend, marry them (despite the calendar pages and whatall) and spend your time as happily as you can-despite the ups and downs. Granted, and I know this is life as a whole- you don't have EVERY day being the beer and skittles- but boy howdy- you just have to learn how to make a give and take and respect one another, and NO one is perfect, despite our romantic interludes at first- it HAS taken work, and a good portion of intestinal fortitude and forgivedness, and understanding. I think that is the keyword, understanding. He is my heartbeat and I love him still after these many years and so much to deal with. For sure it's been one interesting trip, and hoping for more adventures to come!

Happy Anniversary! Your story is wonderful; you are extremely fortunate to have married your best friend.

Happy Anniversary Judy! You definitely got a winner

yes indeed he is the best friend of my life and my true soulmate. I thank you so much for the great wishes. Here's a little more TMI- going thru what we all go thru (and sometimes he felt like my head was spinning around and I would croak in a satanic voice and spew, I thought it was good he was away while the menopause devil was chasing me- but he was here for the brunt of it and my surgery to correct issues there- and would just try to boost me up when it got to be a point of surgical correction and the aftereffects. He really took a lot of time to research it and understand what I was going thru, and has been very helpful, insightful, and understanding there also.
We all go thru passages in life,when we get older it is a rocky journey of dealing with and reinventing yourself to your needs at the time, the sad stuff and the bad stuff - and still dealing with and being hopeful and planning for the future.... and I know we are blessed to have have learned to embrace the theory that life is a journey, not a destination. Here's to one awesome trip and more miles to come! All that wander are not LOST! I think it should be that All that WONDER are not lost! Thanks y'all!

Happy anniversary, Judy!

37 years is quite an accomplishment.

I just did the math, and figured out that you got married in 1973. That is the same year I married my first husband... but we were only married for 10 years.

So congratulations on your marital success you have accomplished something many strive for but never achieve...

I love your comments at the end

I thank you , and I know my post was a bit of braggidocio- too much hubris on the day but I do know we are blessed-and I hope there are many more out there with the love of their souls- truly also hoping your life was better after your marriage ended, and hope not for a sad passing- and sorry if such, truly all passings are really sad- the ones of nature and the ones of man... there are no guarantees with all the best intention. Every day and every speed bump in the road is something to ponder, deal with and triumph over despite the outcomes... but I am no poster child for marriage for sure cause we have had our dilemnas and issues...they were earthshaking at the time but overcomable...! I still have some real hard issues to deal with but I am working on that and it does give me a new view and delight! Yep, married 73, just 1 yr. out of HS- and believe me it HAS taken work to keep it alive. I always am sad for others (I have many friends that have divorced recently, and I am always gobstruck at their path and plight and the pain, and so happy and supportive for their overcoming such a great sea change in their lives, and going on to become themselves finally...and I celebrate their rebirth, because as you probably know- women of our era were to be spousemates at the cost of themselves in a lot of subtle and not so subtle ways...) I am so glad the generations of my daughter in law are different- I am always amazed she keeps her own identity while blending her life with my son and cheer her on with that, she is a blessing to him, he loves her so - and a delight to us!!. So glad I have feedback from both our sons from knowing what a strong woman can do to shape them and seeing how they are better men for it (cause I had to be strong while my husband was away but Dad still was THE MAN to them). They tell me this now, and understand now, they are adults and have come to understand the way of life, I HOPE! Life that doesn't change is stagnant and compromised!
glad you liked my comments at the end...that is truly how I feel. I want to wear that on my heart everyday! And thank you so much again!

Congratulations judy! 37 years is an awesome accomplishment!

Marriage is a beautiful thing, if you've got the right partner.

yes, even if you have to P family off,and that was just youthful enthusiam- it was right and I thank God every day for that man of mine. when you know you KNOW,his Mom understood and mine did also, but the fathers...that took a lot of getting used to! The right partner is a helpmeet, not just a mate- cause it takes 2 to suss it thru. Every day we have is a gift from God, I like your signature on your posts, J. We've talked before in the past on here, and I really like your posts- and W. and I are still trying to see some of the world- his last post was Okinawa, and boy howdy that was one wonderful place. We still try for the Gulf and the Smokies when he is home, on of the blessings in living in Al.. It takes a lot of work to keep a long marriage, even with these parameters, but it works for us and I know we are so blessed!

Long as you're happy, that's all that matters. Prayers and blessings!

thank you so much. And YES we are so happy! Retirement (oh when!) will be a challenge, I hope we can keep our wits about us and meld better then!

Judy, although a bit late, I still want to congratulate you and wish you continued joy and love and understanding. Learning to value each other with your differences and virtues is key to a great marriage. I pray you can continue to share the great adventure of life with love and respect for one another.
Blessings!

Songbird,
That was beautifully put. What sweet wishes!

Thank you Songbird. What a nice post, beautifully put and so treasured. You have the gift of words! I appreciate your posting and the prayer you sent with that. I really belive in the power of prayer, and it keeps the knots in our hearts and souls from clenching us up, truly! Thank you and Thanks Jabber too! I appreciate all your sweet wishes! I surely hope you don't think I had too much hubris to post this but I had to! I know we are blessed and I give thanks every day. It's always like the A ticket to Disney World but so worth it! And who doesn't like Disney World! Carpe Diem!

I'm late in saying congratulations, but I just signed on today. I love to read about marriage encounters (and your initial part sounds very much like my own story).

A belated Congratulations on 37 years!

Liking that so much, Glenda...it's all good, isn't it (even the ups and downs and the sideways bits!). Glad we share a similar story, that's a good thing I like about posting here, you learn that there are others that share the same story, and that really helps to bolster your spirit...we have become so distanced from friends and neighbors, and I am blessed to have a bounty of both that I share different things with when I know their acceptability of certain things...and I am always in wonder of the power of women and the understanding and props they give to their friends and acquaintances...seriously! It's not just a southern thing, I really think all women are woven into the story of life, and that is something not dismissed lightly. That is why when a baby is born, or a marriage made, I always speil out my "welcome to the circle of life" diatribe (sometimes on deaf ears, the young ones don't seem to understand..) . It's what I have come to know and embrace,and it is pretty powerful. and even if you have lost or divorced your spouse, or never had children- this is powerful. Women make a difference in the path of life. We are linked to the spirit of our world and lives...and women carry the burdens and come to know their path in this miasma called life. And thank you for your congrats, I don't profess to be the be all and end all, I just give thanks for every blessing that comes our way -sometimes that is a stretch but it is so grounding to give words to your blessings...(and that man of mine, my heart, I worry so for him and love him so...)

JudyM you say retirement will be a challenge, and I assume you mean because it will bring on a time when the two of you are together 24/7, something you have not experienced.

I'm guessing that, because my sister, who has been married to her husband for 35 years has indicated to me that she is going to work as long as she can (she is something like 5 years younger than her hubbie) so as to put off as long as possible the time when they will both be retired from work...

Steve and I have been successfully working together from our home offices for over 10 years now, so I can tell you it CAN be done and it CAN be wonderful. Don't worry, you will undoubtedly work it out.

Anne

WB and I are together 24/7; and I love it!

I agree, Jabber. I wouldn't have it any other way. But I know some couples are nervous about that much "togetherness." Probably because they have not been together that much since the time they were dating -- and that was many moons ago - and a lot has changed since then. So it is scary a lot of couples.