As The Years Fly By . . .

Friday was our 33^rd wedding anniversary! Hubby and I welcomed TLC home that night for a holiday weekend visit. Her Hubby had gone bird hunting with Prince Henry. She is always the perfect gift for all of our celebrations.

There are so many songs on my iPod that make me think of my Sweet Man and our life together. But this song, by one of my most all-time favorite singers ever, Martina McBride, feels as though it was written about the two of us, specifically. Please enjoy this American poetry:

All The Things We’ve Never Done

By Craig Bickhardt and Jeff Pennig

They drank their anniversary glass

A silent moment passed

Then they kissed

She knows there’s something on his mind

He’ll tell her in due time

What it is

He says, “I’ve never built

Your mansion on a hill

Or warmed you in the Spanish sun

I simply blink my eye

And think as years fly by

Of all the things we’ve never done”

She smiles and takes his hand in hers

And says, “It just occurred

To me now

The thought that brings you such regret

What hasn’t happened yet

It makes me proud... “

“You never walked away

When I needed you to stay

Or made me feel I’m not the one

There’ve been no broken vows

And the reason we’re here now

Is all the things we’ve never done”

“We’ve never grown apart

You never broke my heart

With secrets that you’ve kept me from

We’ve never been untrue

And I’m still here with you

Through all the things we’ve never done.”

From the first time I heard this song until this exact moment, I cannot listen to the words without getting teary. (I’ve now discovered I can’t type the words without putting my head on my desk and crying.)

My Husband was my fate. I knew it almost from the moment we met. After I got a B.B.A. in 1976, I landed a job working for his best friend in 1977. Matlock introduced us. (And, in a “full circle” kind of way, he officiated TLC’s wedding 31 ½ years later.) Hubby had four sons—from the ages of 2 to 12—and they became my instant family the day we married at a tiny Episcopal Church in a small Texas town. My step-sons are good men, good brothers to TLC and wonderful fathers.

September 2, 1978

Our Reception was held at our first home.

All of the photos were taken by friends.

We didn't have an "official" photographer.

Me and one of my most cherished friends from college, Lizzie.

Hubby made sure we had the chance to have (click on the link!) our own child and I had complete faith God would bless him with a daughter. Ten years later, he supported me every single second during (click on the link!) my breast cancer.

I went completely deaf in my left ear almost three years ago. Suddenly and unexpectedly. I still grieve—too often. I’m profoundly grateful I didn’t lose my right ear; however, I’m not going to lie—I struggle. I get angry. I feel guilty. Hubby patiently sympathizes with me when I feel sorry for myself. His unconditional love gives me strength I’m fairly certain I don’t deserve.

In 33 years, I’ve dented and torn up countless cars/trucks/SUVs. We hadn’t been married a year when I backed my Blazer into his Monte Carlo. Yep, I did. In our driveway. I don’t cook very often (but have I ever mentioned what a FABULOUS Cook/Chef/Dutch Oven and BBQ King he is?). I make him watch too many chick flicks. I don’t like to fish—or go camping. I don’t play golf. I complain when we have to stop at Lowe’s, but constantly ask him, after being in Target for an hour, “Just twenty more minutes, okay?” I get cranky and whiny too often. For the 34 years I’ve been honored to share his life, he’s made me laugh harder than anyone else on Earth. He puts up with my quirks and shenanigans. He calms my fears and encourages me to search for my happiness and peace. He’s smart, handsome (oh, those Sean Connery eyes), wise, kind, funny (VERY), sweet. Beyond dependable. Yet full of silly.

Most of all, he’s “NEVER walked away when I needed" him to stay.

Happy Anniversary, JTC… I can’t wait to celebrate our 50^th (yes, you’ll be 84—and still the Best Person I’ll Have Ever Known.)

All my love, always…