Seventeen

We married seventeen years ago on the first full day of spring.  He is the visionary and the problem solver.  I am the organizer and the implementer.  Together we are the yin and yang that makes up our life vision.  We have enjoyed many adventures and have the promise of many more to come.  To my love, best friend and old fool, our journey continues.  sláinte

#scintilla13 ~ Chance Meeting?

Was it a chance meeting, or just a matter of timing?  Twenty years ago this May a couple of weeks after I returned from studying abroad, I headed out to visit a close friend of mine who had moved to Kansas.  I flew into Kansas City where we were spending the night and then leaving the following morning on a road trip to New Orleans.  Coincidentally, on the evening that I flew in a couple of friends of hers from school were going to be in town at the same time.  They had just finished a road trip of their own and were headed back to campus to begin their grueling clinical rotations in Veterinary School.

This was the night that I met B.  We went to dinner on the Plaza in Kansas City and the conversation was relaxed, with  maybe a few shy stolen glances on both of our parts, as we realized how effortlessly we clicked.  As the evening progressed it turned into a night full of conversation that lasted until dawn, when we parted ways.  Sleep did not seem as necessary in those days, as after breakfast we headed out just as planned.  My friend and I spent the next three days traveling, adventuring, and enjoying; but decided to return early to spend my last couple of days touring her new home, and maybe spending a little more time with my new friend.  I ended up extending my plane ticket for an extra two days, during that time the buds of plans began to bloom in our conversation.  When I returned home a daily letter writing campaign started between the two of us...yes, this was before email was commonplace.  By mid August, B had used his only rotation off to drive out to visit me and meet my family, I had transferred colleges for my final year, and moved across country.

This week, despite the snow that is lingering well past its welcome, we will see the first day of Spring, which is also our wedding anniversary.  On this cold spring day we will welcome our fifteenth return of the day.  To think, had the timing been off at all, we may not have met that night.  The demands of school may have prevented us from even being introduced once we returned.  This chance meeting, or luck of good timing has produced my best friend, life partner and an amazing dad to our two beautiful children. Our adventure really has just begun, and it has been such a ride so far, I can't wait to see where we go next.

This post is part of the Scintilla Project, Day Six prompt:  Write about a chance meeting that has stayed with you ever since.

A Little Bit Of Star Dust

Nineteen years ago, I was swept off my feet and began an amazing journey. Fourteen years ago today I was fortunate enough to marry that man who continues to sweep me off of my feet daily. 

 "The true harvest of my daily life is somewhat as intangible and indescribable as the tints of morning or evening. It is a little star dust caught, a segment of the rainbow which I have clutched." 

Henry David Thoreau~Walden 

To my little bit of star dust, happy Anniversary, old fool.

Leaving Las Vegas

As we sat eating a wonderful dinner on our peaceful wrap around porch on this warm evening, just jostled by a light wind that gave a breath to the heat,  I began to think about milestones.  Those most important markers that make you reflect.

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 Ten years ago today, we packed up our life and ventured across country with our then six-week old baby girl.

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We signed the papers that sealed the deal for our business and hit the road, Sidney was an amazing traveler for our marathon drive.

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Since then we have carved out a special life, and in the absence of local family, have been so fortunate to have found the most amazing group of people to share it with.

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So here is raising a toast to making a leap, and taking roads less traveled.

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Sláinte

Almost Half My Life

I mentioned last week that my dad had gotten all of the still photos from when we were growing up digitized to preserve them.  Yesterday afternoon, since it poured buckets all day,  I sat down to peruse more of them.  It was fun to see pictures of the whole family and what we looked like 'back when.'  I think I've got some great photos of my cousins which may appear on fb shortly :).

But mostly, I was struck by the thought that B has been a part of my life for almost half of my life.  Not only do I get to see my whole family younger and remember with a tear those who have now started to pass.  But I realize how much and for how long B has been part of that family.  After all we have been together for 18 years, my brother Billy was just 16 when we met!

I certainly don't feel like that much time has passed or that we are getting older, but the pictures do seem to tell a different story, don't they?  I guess as I look back at the young pictures of ourselves riding off into the sunset, I can see we have seized every moment.   I am so glad that as we grow into different phases, there are plenty more sunsets for us to chase in this life adventure of ours. 

Happy 13th Anniversary B!