I’ve been married for 26 years today. We’ve been together almost 30 years. it was all born of a falling-in-love of unmatched ferocity and passion. We ran at each other at full speed and have been sorting out the collision ever since. I never dreamed I could know so much and so little. Life has taken me apart and put me back together so many times over the years that now I know the pieces just don’t matter.
When we got together, I had literally nothing, and she was hardly any better off. There was a carrot and a heel of home-made bread in my refrigerator. She climbed the academic ladder to full professor, and we bought a house in the country. I became an artist of every description except accomplished. She quit to follow me to New Mexico. The house and salary were gone, and we had almost nothing again.
We’ve seen more landscape go by the car windows than most people ever know. We’ve walked together in London and San Francisco, Paris and Berlin, Vienna and Des Moines, on mountaintops in Colorado and dusty cobblestone streets of old Mexico.
I wish I could say I never screamed or touched her in anger. I wish I could say I never made her sob her heart out. I wish I could say I’ve laid a carpet of rose petals in front of her bare feet every step of the way.
It was nine below zero last night when I came home after midnight, my boots squeaking on the snow. She’d left me a note not to wake her when I came back, that she was just fine. I built up the fire and wrapped up a bracelet I’d bought earlier that day. When I climbed into bed in the darkness, her body was like hot piñon coals…
Related posts:
At least not in the way you mean it. Of course I draw on...
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
Congratulations!
And, from this alone, you seem like an accomplished romantic writer to me.
WoW. Based on what I just read I had to call my wife and tell her I love her and to thank her for our time together. What a romatic guy you are.
You could have made good money in school writing love letters for other guys.
But I was young and stupid then, and I feel even more ridiculous today!
Good for you, though. That’s what we need.
Congratulations. We’ll celebrate our 23rd in April, been together almost 30 years though in one form or another. Isn’t it weird to grow up with someone and go through all those changes?
Thank goodness for forgiving partners in life….
No need to feel ridiculous at all! None.
A figure of speech, reflecting how scary and fluid things are when the clamps come off. All is well.
Congratulations on finding her and putting in the work to stay together. My wife and I have been together for 32 years and married for 28 of those. I know how much work it can be, but it’s all worth it!
When my wife (jokingly) asks her if I’m going to run off with some sweet blonde, I always reply that it would be too much trouble!
Anyway, Good For You!
John Lay (Taoseno in Exile in Austin)
Congratulations !!
What a perfect picture for this special day!
You never fail to touch my heart with your writing.I am left in awe and wonder whenever I read you. Thank You
Blessings, love and light,
Patsy
Yes John…Congratulations says it all…These days it is a miracle to stay married that long, and yes, we do learn every day don’t we! Wish our kids could experience that, but with all the “instant happiness” being sought in the world today, that seems so doubtful for generation X or whatever they are……We all wish we were smarter along the way, but we are so lucky when the women we love tolerate us anyway….Sly Stone said…be “Thankful and Thoughtful…” I know you are….(as I too strive to be)….. Great job and thanks for the inspiration in your “letters from home” Steve : )
Congratulations to you both! My partner and I have been together for almost 18 years so I, too, know what goes into maintaining and nurturing and, sometimes, enduring a long term relationship. The rewards, as you point out, are many though. A genuine shared journey….
so beautiful.