Silver

Twenty five years ago today I married the love of my life.

It was a beautiful autumn day.  High white clouds accented the bright, shining, clear blue sky.  The leaves were in full color on the trees, vivid yellows and reds contrasting with the green of New Jersey pines.  The fallen leaves swirled on the ground, decorating the streets and sidewalks.  The air was cool, just enough to make it comfortable in the bright sun but not enough to need more than a gown or a tuxedo to keep warm.  It was a perfect October day.

Of course my most vivid memory is of my first sight of my wife-to-be standing in the back of the church.  I have never seen a more beautiful sight or a more beautiful woman.  She took my breath away.

It was a simple, traditional ceremony with a few family and friends that was the best wedding I have ever been to.  I might have been nervous but I don’t think I was.  I don’t honestly remember because I was too happy.  The wedding was serious, of course, but I spent the rest of the day and night smiling so much my face hurt.

I consider myself the luckiest man in the world married to the most wonderful woman in the world.  If you’ve read here from the beginning you know that my wife has literally saved my life.  Well, from the moment I first saw her she has made my life worth living.  I can be as selfish and self-centered as the next man, but all I really want is to be able to make her happy.

She wouldn’t agree, but I know I haven’t given her enough.  Certainly I’ve never given her everything I want to or everything she deserves.  I never would have made it through my life, let alone the last seven years, without her.  I hope that we have many more years together, my wife happy throughout them all.  I also hope that I can do everything in my ability to make her life better, more enjoyable and happier than it is today.

It doesn’t really matter what my wife has done for me, I owe her everything I can give simply because I love her.  My wife has given me love and happiness and support.  Because I love her I want her to have everything and I want to be better so that I can be a part of making that possible.  She’s also given me that desire, fulfilling it won’t even come close to repaying her.

Happy anniversary, sweetheart.