16 and counting

Rio Grande Canyon Gorge, near Taos New Mexico and we are hanging on for dear life! You never know where we might have found ourselves over the last 16 years of marriage, but yesterday we hit a milestone anniversary. It is often hard to believe so much time has passed and I'm sure for many of those that doubted we would make it in the beginning, (like both of our mothers) they cannot believe we have not only survived but thrived!

We spent this anniversary pretty low key with a dinner out and exchanged a couple of simple gifts and great cards, since we are in the midst of remodeling the kitchen and replacing all of the appliances in there. I laugh when I think about how I said I never would accept a dishwasher for a gift, but now I'm pretty pumped about getting a new one!!! Steve has always been so good at finding just the right card too...sometimes I can't get through reading them and have to wait for later because they fill me up with so much emotion. These days, with the wedding plans and all going on, I seem to be a ball of mush anyway.

Sixteen years ago, dear Steve went from bachelor hood to becoming a husband and a stepfather to three children ages 3,4 and 8. We had just bought a new house, so we were trying to get moved in, his family had come into town for the wedding and everything was crazy. His best friend from high school lived in Arizona with his wife and children, so we had made plans to go out there for our honeymoon, with plans to also spend a few days in Las Vegas. While we were there, we found out Diana Ross was playing in a small theater and tickets were $50 each, which seemed outrageous at the time. Steve decided since she was one of my all time favorites that we should go. It was amazing to sit in what seemed like an almost private concert listening to her that night. My sister in law and brother kept the children, which they loved every minute of. It was nice to get back home and get busy with the business of making this new combination into a family. It has almost always worked with us, though. Steve helped to make that easy. He has never been pushy or demanding of the children. He loved them and supported my love for them.

I hate to think of regrets when it is my anniversary, but if I had any it would be that there is just not enough time left in our lives to be together and do all of the things that we could do together if we had met when we were 20.

But we are lucky to have had this even for one day. I love you Steve!