20 years ago...
Jul. 2nd, 2003 09:08 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
jayTwo nervous people walked through the heat and humidity in St. Petersburg, Florida and pledged to each other, in the presence of family and friends. I couldn't eat the lunch afterwards (mushrooms) and we were late to the reception after the best man left the church with my car keys... but it was still a happy day.
Two decades... seems bizarre, somehow. I lovepatgreene, now more than ever... it hasn't been happy-ever-after, it's been real-life ;-). There have been great joys, moments of terror, working together, periods when divorce seemed likely, periods of NRE/ORE, sickness, health, prosperity, poverty... rather than floating along serenely, at times we've slogged through like two punch-drunk boxers. Other times, bouncy and giggly and silly.
During those twenty years, we've raised three boys that I love more than I can express; gotten collectively 3 graduate degrees, including two doctorates; lived in Atlanta, northern California, and Washington, DC; bought a house; gotten a pilot's license; passed a Bar exam; gathered awards; avoided bankruptcy; kept each other sane and safe and intact.
There have been moments when I've been so angry that I wanted to leave, and friends coached me to do so. Other times when I've been so googly-eyed that I couldn't imagine living without Pat in my life. Perseverance, a degree of patience, pure stubborn bloody-mindedness and some willingness to self-sacrifice has helped.
I'd still marrypatgreene today. And even if she decided to leave me tomorrow, I'd still consider our relationship to be, and have been, a resounding success. And we're still growing and changing! Happy anniversary, beloved!
Two decades... seems bizarre, somehow. I love
patgreene, now more than ever... it hasn't been happy-ever-after, it's been real-life ;-). There have been great joys, moments of terror, working together, periods when divorce seemed likely, periods of NRE/ORE, sickness, health, prosperity, poverty... rather than floating along serenely, at times we've slogged through like two punch-drunk boxers. Other times, bouncy and giggly and silly. During those twenty years, we've raised three boys that I love more than I can express; gotten collectively 3 graduate degrees, including two doctorates; lived in Atlanta, northern California, and Washington, DC; bought a house; gotten a pilot's license; passed a Bar exam; gathered awards; avoided bankruptcy; kept each other sane and safe and intact.
There have been moments when I've been so angry that I wanted to leave, and friends coached me to do so. Other times when I've been so googly-eyed that I couldn't imagine living without Pat in my life. Perseverance, a degree of patience, pure stubborn bloody-mindedness and some willingness to self-sacrifice has helped.
I'd still marry
patgreene today. And even if she decided to leave me tomorrow, I'd still consider our relationship to be, and have been, a resounding success. And we're still growing and changing! Happy anniversary, beloved!
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2003-07-02 09:43 am (UTC)Happy anniversary, you two!
no subject
Date: 2003-07-02 09:55 am (UTC)We're still using our matchbook placecards, 20 years later... there's a white "Pat and Jay, July 2, 1983" matchbook out on the patio next to the BBQ grill... so I guess she and I can still cause sparks, at times ;-).
no subject
Date: 2003-07-02 10:26 am (UTC)*laugh*
Regarding Monday, we need to make something of a clarification/request. Turns out that Akien has Monday 7/7 off work. And Allegra is IN DAYCARE ALL DAY. So we are gleefully looking forward to a day home alone together, without kid(s).
We request that Pat and kids don't show up till 6pm or later. After which time we are HAPPY to host them. If they need to be out of the house sooner than that, might I suggest a trip to the library, beach or park? I can suggest a couple over in this neck of the woods, if that's desired (e.g., it might be easier to come over to this side of the bay by mid-afternoon, to avoid traffic).
no subject
Date: 2003-07-02 10:07 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-07-02 06:29 pm (UTC)I couldn't eat the lunch afterwards (mushrooms)
Little did you know that this would forshadow a similar event, 20 years later... (grin). Hope you're better!
no subject
Date: 2003-07-02 10:23 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-07-02 10:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-07-02 10:27 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-07-02 10:53 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-07-02 11:11 am (UTC)--Shadopanther
no subject
Date: 2003-07-02 11:32 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-07-02 12:08 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-07-02 12:52 pm (UTC)Congratulations! Happy anniversary to you both.
no subject
Date: 2003-07-02 01:59 pm (UTC)Congratulations to you and
no subject
Date: 2003-07-02 02:42 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-07-02 03:30 pm (UTC)pjt
no subject
Date: 2003-07-02 03:35 pm (UTC)Light without and light within.
And in all your twilights and dawns,
May the glow never fade...
Congratulations...~S~
no subject
Date: 2003-07-04 08:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2003-07-02 03:53 pm (UTC)Happy anniversary! Here's to another twenty!
no subject
Date: 2003-07-02 04:31 pm (UTC)May you both enjoy long happy lives with one another, with each year better than the last.
no subject
Date: 2003-07-20 12:27 pm (UTC)Anyway, here's a belated happy anniversary, and wishes for many more.