Tuesday, October 13, 2009

An Anniversary Celebration

I met him in February, it was just before his 28th birthday. I had just turned 19. He was tall and handsome, he had an easy laugh and his eyes were alive with compassion. It was a blind date that could have turned out either way for both of us. My pal Pat had kept insisting that I met her beau's shipmate. When I finally gave in it turned out to be an adventure neither one of us would ever regret.

He was in MineLant at the time. Their motto was "Iron Men on Wooden Ships". That was not only a catchy motto, it was what the kids today would term "hot". He already had ten years in the Navy. I was still trying to find out who I was and what I wanted to be. If that sounds a bit "hippyish", remember, it was 1968. You do the math.

The ship went to sea soon after we met and there was much exchanging of letters and dreams between us. On his return Stateside, we discovered that the attraction was still as strong. He proposed, I accepted. I can hardly believe that it was 41 years ago tomorrow. It seems like yesterday, but then I can hardly keep up with time the way it flies by. No marriage is perfect, I've heard it said. But ours has come pretty darned close. So, to Mac...my beloved...I love you every bit as much as I did the night we married...no, that's wrong. I love you so much more for so many reasons it would take 41 more years to tell you exactly what they are.

44 comments:

Maggie May said...

Aw...... thats really romantic. Lovely post. Congratulations on those 41 years of near perfection!
Nuts in May

Jeanne said...

Beautiful! Many more years together Sandi!

Nessa said...

Wow, Happy Anniversary! Such romance.

Unknown said...

Not many couples can attest to 41 years of almost perfection, I know you know how lucky you both are but I'm sure you also worked at it.

Happy anniversary to you and Mac!

Anonymous said...

There is NOTHING like a good love story! Congrats to your love.

Sally said...

I hope you'll always be as happy as you now!! Happy Anniversary!!

CatHerder said...

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! It is SO NICE to hear other people happy about their marriages...i think these days theyre few and far between..i was engaged at 18, married at 20 and I will be 46 in a few weeks...and the only regret is that we waited the two years because his family was out of work and wanted us to wait....so glad you are having a happy anniversary!!!!

Kathy's Klothesline said...

Such a sweet tribute to the love you share.

Mary Isabella and Kiley too! said...

Your words, your love is so beautiful. I know how it feels to be that in love. That your heart burst with love for the one you hold so dear to you. Many more years is my wish for you both filled with love, laughter and happiness beyond all measure....love...mary

Susan said...

Congratulations. A blind date. So romantic. A blind date that went on for 41 years and more.

larkswing said...

Awesome - 41 years!Such a sweet story. Congratulations!!

Lynne said...

That's a lovely post Sandi. Congratulations, I wish you all the best for years to come. That's certainly some testament to your love, 41 years!

Unknown said...

Oh Sandi...what a wonderful post! Congratulations on 41 years of togetherness!! I think I'll come back...to read it again!

Mickle in NZ said...

Many congratulations. It's so nice to read a happy story. I hope you celebrated in style.

Huggles and care, Michelle (Zebbycat is very busy snoring just now)

Shadow said...

thank you for this heart-warming and story full of love. happy anniversary to you both!!!!!!

Zuzana said...

Oh, so lovely! Sandi, I remember when you wrote about your 40 year anniversary; that was my first visit to your blog.;)It was just as an incredible post as this is.;)
Congratulations and wishing you many more happy years together!;)
xoxo

Strawberry Jam Anne said...

How lovely that you have kept the romance alive Sandi. Many congratulations to you both. A x

imbeingheldhostage said...

OH! Happy Anniversary! What a romantic post :-)

Merisi said...

Heartfelt congratulations, Sandi and Mac!

It truly warms my heart to think of you two and I wish you both many many more years of happiness together.

Hugs,
Merisi

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Sandi: Wonderful story of the blooming of love, congrats on the 41 years of love.

Bruce said...

Dear Sandi:
Thank you for the nice comment on my blog about Bill. I think he'll be in the hospital for about 3 weeks so the comments I will be forwarding to him will be a great comfort.
Sincerely,
Bruce the cat & Sharon:)

jabblog said...

Congratulations to you both! It's a heartwarming story.

menopausaloldbag (MOB) said...

I hope you celebrated well, what a time to be together and to stay happy. Marriage is wonderful when it works so well. My anniversarry is tomorrow - 5 years - but ten great one's with my wonderful fiance then husband!

A lovely post!

Mockingbird Hill said...

How lucky you both are...not only to have spent so many years together, but to be even more in love now than when you met!

*sigh*

Wishes for many more happy years together...

Cassie

Lee said...

Sandi, I'm so glad that you and Mac found each other those 41 years ago. Your joy is all a marriage hopes to be and it's obvious that you two got it right in the communication, work, and choices that make a marriage good. Happy Anniversary!

Love,
Lee

Donna said...

Happy Late Anniversary Sweetie!! Where HAS the time Gone???
ZIP, and now it's 2009!!!hughugs

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary! :)

Cheffie-Mom said...

Awww! Happy Anniversary!! Hugs and blessings!!

Mima said...

Happy Anniversary, how wonderful to have been together for so long, the bond between you must be just brilliant. Sorry not to have been around for a while but often think about you!

Akelamalu said...

Oh many, many congratulations to you and Mac. Some marriages are made in heaven! :)

NitWit1 said...

Congratulations !!! You sre a year ahead of me....

Anonymous said...

Very beautiful tribute. So lovely to still be going strong after all those years.

CJ xx

i beati said...

the right guy , right girl= magic love Sandy

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Happy Anniversary, Sandi and Mac!!

SandyCarlson said...

Happy anniversary! That is a great story.

Jeni said...

Oh Sandi, I know I've told you this before but I have to say it again anyway. You sure do know how to turn a phrase!
Loved this tribute to your special someone -Mac. How fantastic it is to read your words and know how much and how deeply your love goes for him and judging by the conversations you make us privy to, I'm pretty sure it comes back to you too, from him, in spades.
Have a very Happy Anniversary and many, many more to come too!
Peace!

Anonymous said...

Sandi...I have been all over your blog looking for your email address, with no luck, but never mind, I got to catch up with posts that have somehow escaped me.

This one in particular touches me...41 years...not quite caught JP and I up yet but good going. If one is to believe the 'statistics' so often thrown at us, the institution of matrimony is a dying art, but I don't believe it. We just don't bang on about it...just plod on, one foot in front of the other. XXX

Love Bears All Things said...

A belated Happy Anniversary to you two. I know what you mean about time passing. Wish we could slow it down some.
Mama Bear

Hilary said...

How beautiful to be able to say and mean that after 40+ years. You are truly blessed and I'm happy for the two of you. Happy Anniversary. :)

Beth P. said...

Great sweetness...grazi

Susie Q said...

Happy Anniversary to two special, special people...Sandi and her Mac. Bless them both! You are such perfect examples of how awesome love can be. You are amazing!
Love,
Sue

Jodie Adams said...

So sweet! You are both lucky to have such a wonderful story and life to share. Happy belated Anniversary! Hugs!

Cheffie-Mom said...

Stopping by to say hello!! Blessings and hugs!!

myonlyphoto said...

Sandi, you are truly blessed. Congratulations, and love strong! Anna :)