Anniversary

Today I celebrate 31 years of marriage - October 11, 1980. Our wedding was at noon, but the sky was as dark as night and the deluge of rain would not let up.

There is a picture in our wedding album . . . I am poised under a large umbrella that my father holds just as I am about to dash to the car. This was not the graceful stroll on my father's arm that I had envisioned. I made it to the car dry, my father was not so lucky.

My mother, just before she was escorted to her seat by my brothers, brushed my cheek with a kiss and told me she loved me. My sister, maid of honor, proceeded me down the aisle. I was surrounded by my family, by their love. As I began to walk with my dad, I looked forward, to my future, watching my soon-to- be husband take his place on the altar.

An hour later, we were "Mr. and Mrs." We were so young. We thought we knew what lay ahead.

Of course, we didn't. But along the way, we learned and experienced what lay ahead. Together. Like any marriage, there has been happiness and sadness, profound joy and profound loss. But mostly, a whole lot of routine, day-to-day living. And I am grateful for every day. (Although there are certainly many days and many conversations that I could have done without!)

Doing it together. That is the way we handle the work of being married, of raising three children, of experiencing the routine moments of marriage. Doing it together.

For us, it works. Happy anniversary, honey.