Eighteen years ago, we started this adventure. And now, a short list (by the numbers) of what those eighteen years have held:
major plumbing disaster = 1
siblings (+ in-laws) = 25
moves where we unpacked the kitchen (that’s the kind that counts as a move) = 11
states we planned to live in and did = 1
states we never planned to live in, but did = 2
states we planned to live in and didn’t = 2
bowls of popcorn we’ve shared = 2
bowls of popcorn I ate all by myself = 1,855 (just kidding. I think.)
kids, total = 4
kids, hilarious = 4
kids, brilliant = 4
kids, helpful = 3.5 (fluctuating)
furry pets = 0, fishy ones = 2, current fishy pets = 1
cars we’ve owned = 8 (Accord, CJ-7, Passport, Accord the Second, Miata, minivan, Mini Cooper, Pilot)
trees we’ve planted = 31
real live Christmas trees bought = 3
candles that smell vaguely like real live Christmas trees bought = 14
trampolines owned = 0
wrists/femurs broken = 0
paying jobs held = 12 (me: 4, him: 8.)
bottles of wine received as gift: 1
bottles of wine opened = 0
shirts I’ve bought him that he liked = 0
nonpaying jobs held = (*wipes a tear*) don’t ask
movies watched = 2.808 (3/week times 52 weeks times 18 years, a conservative estimate)
television shows we ever planned a schedule around before TiVo/DVR= o
times we used TiVo/DVR = 0
good gifts I bought that surprised him = 4 (the golf clubs, the drill, the Calvin and Hobbes anthology, and the Complete Far Side)
good gifts that he bought that surprised me = many, many
percent of kids who learned to read care of PBS = 75 (props to Sesame Street and SuperWhy)
trips to Hawaii together, work-based = 2
trips to Hawaii together, non-work = 1
rides in hot air balloons = 1
things that belong in the “about a million” category: goodnight kisses, lawns mowed, walks holding hands, plans to visit Charleston, SC, discussions about the difference between “working freelance” and “working for free”, thanking God for our kids in our prayers, windows washed, laughs at Bill Murray, flipping channels to find nothing on, pounds lost and refound, meals together, rolled eyes, next move planned, the word “sorry” said, hopes hoped and dreams dreamed.
Happy anniversary, Love. It all adds up, and the adventures just keep coming.
(6) Comments for this blog
Happy, happy anniversary you two! (I can’t believe it’s been 18 years. And one of the few receptions from that time in my live that I vividly remember attending. You two were – and are- so, so happy.)
Happy, happy anniversary you two! (I can’t believe it’s been 18 years. And one of the few receptions from that time in my live that I vividly remember attending. You two were – and are- so, so happy.)
Happy anniversary. Each one needs celebrating!!
Happy anniversary. Each one needs celebrating!!
Normally math makes me all squidgy inside, but this kind brings smiles and heart melts and happy dance feelings. Happy Anniversary – you’ve crafted a beautiful life, a beautiful family. So very worthy of celebrating!
Normally math makes me all squidgy inside, but this kind brings smiles and heart melts and happy dance feelings. Happy Anniversary – you’ve crafted a beautiful life, a beautiful family. So very worthy of celebrating!