Friday, December 17, 2010

Thirty-six Years Together

Thirty six years ago I left work at the end of my shift at the hospital emergency room and got into the car with the love of my life. We drove to the court house to get our marriage licence. I was dressed all in white (this was back when nurses actually wore uniforms ...... cap included), literally head to toe. He wore a pair of jeans and a non-descript shirt along with the jacket that he wore when he worked as an EMT. We were quite the pair, just needed the ever present stethoscope dangling from our necks.

We had a small ceremony planned for later that week and we were simply taking care of one more detail. We presented all that was necessary and the clerk asked if we wanted to get married then or just get the licence. He looked at me and said, "Do you want to get married?" I said, "Yes, let's get married." And we did. Just like that. I don't even remember who our witnesses were. After our "ceremony" we picked my two children up from daycare and went home. No muss, no fuss. We did have a small reception on the day we had planned to get married. No honeymoon, no gifts or any of the stuff that usually comes with a wedding.

I am quite certain that most every one thought it would end as quickly as it began, but here we are thirty-six years later. Wonder if anyone is still waiting?


Today we celebrate thirty-six years together. We are planning a trip to WalMart to pick up my prescription and then we will eat out. I say planning, because a pipe burst and he who plumbs is at the local hardware store getting parts. We might not go anywhere. We might just stay home and eat whatever I can put together and enjoy the warm fire and our freshly bathed trio of dogs. Doesn't matter so much where we are as long as we are together.

16 comments:

luksky said...

Congrats on being married 36 years....to the same man!!!

mamahasspoken said...

Congrads!
Curious though, are the freshly bathed dogs due to the water pipe breaking?

ellen abbott said...

That's exactly right. congratulations.

@ly said...

Happy Anniversary! I agree with you wholeheartedly...it never matters where you are....just together...so sweet and so true and that my friend is how you made it work for so many years. Cheers to many more for you!

Kathy G said...

What a sweet story! Congratulations on your 36 years.

Teresa said...

AWESOME! congratulations on your anniversary. 36 years is quite the accomplishment. (i didn't know you were a nurse!)

everyone thought ron and i would end quickly, too - but we're still going strong as well.

Mike said...

Happy anniversary to she who blogs and he who works while she blogs! haha!

Brian Miller said...

yay! happy anniversary! what a cool story!

colenic said...

Thanks for sharing your story and happy anniversary...hope you are snuggled up by the fire enjoying each other's company!

Karen said...

Awesome... and Happy Anniversary!

Whitney Lee said...

Happy Anniversary! 36 years? That's awesome.

You're right, it doesn't matter where you are, only that ya'll are together. The beginning (or the ceremony) doesn't really matter, either, despite all of the money and care we so often put into it. It's all the moments after that matter.

joanne said...

Happy 36!! That is quite an accomplishment these days...we just had our 37th and that really was a lot of work! hehe...enjoy.

Sunny said...

Congratulations! You have a very special love story :)
☼ Sunny

Joy and Phil said...

Congratulations on 36 years! Who knew?! You do not look old enough to be married that long to anyone!

Also, how is the book coming?

MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Joy and Phil

Pat said...

Happy Anniversay to He Who Proposed and She Who Said Yes!

labbie1 said...

There is an anniversary dinner coming your way...