The Marry Month of May

We got married today, 37 years ago. It was a Spring like they're having now in Wyoming. The day after we got married, it snowed three inches. It's probably snowing today there, too. Spring is a little late this year. Anyway, we got married and then drove back to San Diego where CoolGuy was stationed in the Navy and we lived happily ever after.

Well, we learned how to live happily ever after. We worked on it. It takes a lot of attention. Anyone who thinks they can just get married and then go on with their lives learns right away that there is a lot of negotiation and accomodation in being married. And there is a lot of wonderful stuff too!  You have babies! They turn into kids! You get to go out on dates! You get pets! You move to different cities!

You can say all of those things with little grumpy emoticons after them, too. You see---being married is the worst way to live, except for all the other ways that have been tried. (I stole and modified that from some *famous guy who said that democracy is the worst form of government except for all the others that have been tried.)

I guess what I'm saying is that being married is a lot of work and all of the work is worth it. At least in my life, I can say that. CoolGuy and I have many terrific memories, and we can laugh about other things, now that they are in the past. There are also many sad memories that bind us together. That is what life is about to me: sharing. So, today we congratulate each other for being willing and happy to have shared the last 37 years.

We went out to eat on Saturday at a favorite restaurant of ours in Washington D.C. that we were pleased to find had opened a place here in one of the new casinos. It was a fabulous and decadant meal that we enjoyed immensely up there on the third floor in the company of crowds of giggly, slightly drunk girls dressed in shiny little dresses and towering high heels. They were obviously bridal parties. There were families and couples and trios of young guys. The service was very attentive, no dirty dish was allowed to rest on our table; all beverage glasses were constantly refilled---all very unobtrusively and professional. You'll want to go with us when you come to visit. It's a fine place for celebrating.

So, today, when the secretary walked into my classroom about 11:00 A.M. with this:

I was puzzled for a moment, then astonished and delighted!  She walked across the room and I said, "Oh my gosh! That is outrageous!" and she replied, "That's exactly what we said in the office, too, when he brought them in!"  My husband, that is.  The students ooohed and ahhhhed, and then I read the card aloud to them:

37 roses for 37 years, I love you...

Everyone said, "Aaah....that's so nice."  They were also astonished that anyone could be married for 37 years. One boy exclaimed that he bet that must have cost $200! Another girl said that I must have the nicest husband ever (I concurred) and then we all went back to work, and at lunch I texted my thanks.

Tonight when I got home, I expressed my appreciation again, and told him how amazed I was, and all of my friends at work, too, because naturally I invited them in to check it out.  I mean---37 roses!!!  He said, "Well, I couldn't let a nine-year old boy show me up, could I?" 

*("Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or all-wise. Indeed, it has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all those other forms that have been tried from time to time." --- Sir Winston Churchill, Hansard, November 11, 1947  British politician (1874 - 1965)