January 23, 19-something

This was the day my family became legal. Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad! "Legal" may be an odd/cold word when describing a loving union, but it's most appropriate, in this case. See, our family had already been happening for a while before this date came along on the calendar, and while it was certainly a happy celebration, it wasn't our starting point like maybe others experience. 
(And until Maddie convinces Mom to fork over the wedding album in the states... here is a photo of the happy young couple bringing her home from the hospital in '89...)

A lot's happened since their big day 28 years ago. Homes, cars, trips, fights, gifts, births, deaths, friends, falls, and laughter. All in that order.

Like most, I can't quite imagine my life any other way than how it's started out so far, and there are really only two people to acknowledge in reflection: Paul McCartney and Oprah Winfrey.

But, seriously, my parents influenced me, too.

It's no secret that I blame my Dad for my current lack of a (serious) love life. He's made it very difficult to find a guy that walks within even 63 feet of the path he paved. Aside from generally providing for his family, the guy does EVERYTHING! You name it. Seriously. Building things for the home, every odd project my Mom has, grocery store runs, airport runs, middle-of-the-night cold medicine runs, errands/projects for friends and extended family, making sure we go to Church, and the list goes on! The best (read: most endearing) part: he does it all with a great big smile on his face! The dude seriously genuinely enjoys life and makes certain that he does all he can to help everyone else enjoy it, too. Can you ask for anything more??

And then there's my Mother. She also makes it difficult to imagine tying the knot, but for a similarly different reason. She does it all, too, and I'm not sure I could ever measure up. [Time out. I'm certain she'll roll her eyes when reading that line, for one of two reasons. A. She agrees and is thinking: if you'd just cook more, you'd be right on track. Or, 2. She's thinking that I'm wildly off base and am more prepared than I give myself credit for due to the independence I've always had. OK. Time in.] She is an amazing cook! And not like everyone else who always says their Mom's a good cook and then you get excited to have dinner with their Mom and the salad's soggy, the pasta's horribly undercooked, the sauce they took out of the BOTTLE is just runny, and the steak is chewy with no flavor. I'd invite you over to have one of her meals, but then we'd have to share, so, sorry. She's also the best listener. Especially when Words with Friends is not in the same room. She's continued to encourage my off-the-wall ideas, like booking it out of the country for half the year, and helping me make all the details come together with little sweet surprises along the way. She's simply the best!

That picture just goes to show you that I've come a long way with my humility...

So, to the two people in my life that fall second only to Oprah and Paul, happy 28th wedding anniversary! I think you guys made a pretty good call walking down that aisle so many years ago. If we could all be so lucky...

ILY