Happy Anniversary….

Al and I have always had an interest in the “Wild West“.  We enjoy watching Westerns, and Al is a huge John Wayne fan.  Al grew up watching TV shows such as; The Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers, Bat Masterson, The Rifleman, The Cisco Kid………note the common thread!  I reluctantly admit to reading romance novels, ones set in the 1800’s…….ya know, cowboys, Indians, horses, mystery, and love.   Al and I will occasionally listen to these period romance novels in audio form on long travel days with the Rig.

So when it came time to plan our wedding, our thoughts drifted to the perceived romance of times long past, BUT with a contemporary twist.  You see, Al and I like horses but we’re not horse people.  Guided trail rides are the only way we ride horses, and we ride like typical city slickers.  Therefore, a truly western style wedding was out of the question, as well as our venue was in a prestigious Chicago suburb, not conducive for a “western” wedding.

We hired a horse and carriage, complete with driver.  Prayed for good weather, not an easy feat in the midwest for an outdoor wedding.  We kept the guest list to a hundred.  Hired three violinists for the ceremony and a band for the reception.  Al wore tails while I went for something resembling turn of the century, complete with parasol.

As luck would have it, the weather was most agreeable…..in the 70’s, partly cloudy, with a light pleasant breeze.  We could not have asked for a better day or more perfect setting.

Al and I did ALL the planning, organizing, scheduling, arranging, and paying.  A “wedding planner” was a relatively new concept in the 80’s, and since Al and I had been living together (yes, living in sin – not as easily accepted back then as it is now) we paid for everything.  Somehow it seemed inappropriate to ask parents for any assistance.  However, our parents were rather generous and gracious with wedding gifts and had a fabulous time being parents of the bride and groom.

It was a great day.  A day we’ll always remember, but it was just one day.  Marriage is so much more than walking down an isle.  It’s not an isle, it’s more like a roller coaster.  There are fun moments, boring moments, moments of sheer terror, and moments that you think you just can’t take it anymore, but then there’s those special moments, moments that you wouldn’t trade for anything.  Moments that make the ups and downs all worth it.

Here’s to many more years of a fun ride.  Happy Anniversary, hon, love ya!