Fifty-two years and counting.
I’m often asked what it is like to be with someone for more than half a century. The question makes me smile, for I couldn’t imagine any other way. Janis’s & my goal, from the start, was to grow old together. We weren’t in a hurry to get old, but at our current pace, we may yet manage to accomplish that lofty goal.
I still vividly remember the excitement of the long-anticipated day we exchanged our vows in front of friends and family. We were young but intent on starting a life together. ‘For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, forsaking all others, until death us do part.’
Through the years, there have definitely been ups and downs, days when we struggled and days when we laughed. There’s been some sickness and plenty of good health. While our love for each other is constant, there are occasional days when we don’t like each other. Thinking back to our wedding vows, it has been pretty much what we bargained for and promised each other so long ago. It has certainly been a wonderful and magical shared adventure.
Janis and I had much to learn to live together, be parents, (and eventually grandparents), build houses, businesses and a thousand other adventures. While seldom in total agreement at the start of any venture, we learned to talk things through, agree and then totally support each other as we worked towards our ambitious goals. There have never been ‘I told you so’s’ when things went awry, which they did on occasion. Those were times we supported each other, picked ourselves up and started over. The hard times were more than balanced by the great times and the constant love we have enjoyed together.
After fifty-two years and counting, love is still an awesome thing. It is felt with a smile, a hug or a gentle kiss as we pass in the hall. We still like to cuddle on the couch and spend quiet time together. That’s the ‘to love and cherish’ part - our most favourite.
