A Good Decision

No, we are not in St. Louis again. Too bad! However, I just wanted to post a picture of the two of us together as today is our 36th anniversary! Really? How could 36 years have gone by so quickly? It seems crazy to me!

What wasn't crazy, though, was our decision to spend those years together. I've been grateful over and over and over again that we get to spend our lives together. That was a good decision!

Date Night Fright

So here's a funny horrible story.

Last night Mike & I went out to dinner to celebrate our anniversary. We had a very lovely time visiting and eating tasty food. Our waiter even talked us into a triple chocolate dessert, even though we were really too full for that. We ordered one to share. Romantic, huh?

A friend of our's happened by our table. She stopped and chatted and, knowing it was our anniversary, asked how many years we'd been married. It was a pleasant little visit. She went back to her own table shortly after our chocolate whatever dessert arrived. I know, I know this does not seem like a horrible story.  Just wait for it, though.

When we were all sweetened up on chocolate, our waiter returned with our check. He said he'd overheard it was our anniversary so he'd "taken care of" the cost of our chocolatey dessert. That was sweet, don't you think? I'm sure he didn't actually have it taken out of his paycheck or anything. I know the waiters get to do stuff like that sometimes. It is meant to build up grateful and faithful clientele. This still doesn't seem like a horrible story, does it? Well, horrible things usually happen when you least expect them.

Our waiter then said something about the anniversary he thought we were celebrating.

He thought it was our 55th anniversary!

55!

I truly hope Mike and I get to celebrate our 55th anniversary, but not until we are 75 years old!

Mike and I were likely looking a bit tired, but did we really look to be 75 years old?!

The dumbest part of the story is this.

I worried that he would feel so embarrassed and bad about his blunder...

...I gave him a big tip.

This is a very sweet photo of an unknown couple.

It is NOT us.

(Photo from Google Images via homesforheroes.wordpress.com) 

Celebrating Our Anniversary

A Shared Path - 35 Years

God

Growing

Memories

June 11, 1978

Commitment

Loving

Grieving

Golden Fields

Music

Family

Laughter

Children

Call to Ministry

Good-Byes

Prayers

Seattle

Comfort

Adventure

Minnesota

Illness

Friends

Forgiveness

Montana

Exploring

New Mexico

Hiking

Cruising

Long Talks

Hawaii

River Floats

Exhaustion

Relaxation

St. Louis

River Walk

Steadfast

I am Sooooo Smart

I am so smart...

Or so lucky...

No, 

I am so blessed!

  A decision I made 34 years ago still makes me very happy today.

Happy Anniversary Mike.

Thank you for marrying me.

I love being your wife.

Engagement Anniversary

On January 2, 1978 Mike asked me to be his wife.  It was a beautiful proposal!  He gave me the world (a globe) and because I don't much care for wine, he presented a glass of buttermilk (my favorite beverage) for me as we toasted our future.  I realize that a globe and buttermilk wouldn't touch the heart of every young woman, but it really pleased me.  It showed that he had paid attention to what I liked.  It was a very personal touch to the evening and it made me feel so special.  It was also pretty funny.  That was a foretaste of our future; Mike can really make me laugh! 

We called our families that night but for some reason, I kept our engagement a secret from my friends for several days.  I went back to my dorm room that night and told no one.  I was kind of surprised at myself but for some reason it just felt like such a delicious secret and I wanted to savor it a bit.  A few days later my friend, Laura, noticed my engagement ring and the secret was out.  That was a fun moment as well!

I am so glad that I said "yes" that night.    I feel very privileged to have been chosen by this remarkable man!  We have been through a lot together.  We have grown together.  We have written our story together.  I love going through this life by his side! 

Happy Anniversary to Maria and Eric

Once upon a time, well 10 years ago...

As a parent, one of the things you hope for is that your children will be surrounded by love.  To see our daughter cherished by this young man is a beautiful thing.  You should see the admiration and respect in her eyes at she looks at him still today.

Happy Anniversary to Maria and Eric, a great team!

Come to Me

33 years ago today Mike sang this song, one he wrote, as I walked down the aisle toward him...

COME TO ME

I woke up this morning and I thanked my Lucky Star

That I get to know and love this person that you are

I opened up my window and the wind walked right in

Blowing warm and gentle so soft upon my skin

It reminded me of you and the way you love to please

You're flowing ever faithful, you're the whispering of peace

chorus:

Come to me, you're my serenity

Lay me down in understanding, Lift me up along my way

To walk with you into this day

Come to me for an eternity

Your spirit and mine

Another day has come to pass, another step into my life

Another passenger has coming aboard to be my loving wife

You sure can wait a long time for the seasonn to be right

And you can watch the stars above

You can wish with all your might

But I'll place my bet on true love

It's the kind that comes to stay

It holds on in the darkness, it lights the brand new day

25 years later he wrote...

I Want To Go On With You

chorus: I want to go on with you

That's what my headlines say

That's my big news today

I want to go on with you

Through the good times, through the trials

I wanna walk the future miles with you

I want to go on with you

I'm lookin back now on all our time

I'm reminiscing and I guess that's fine

In fact, that's what I want to do

I want a chance just to say

That I've had many good days with you

I want to journey here some more

And dance upon life's floor with you.

chorus

I'm hoping that these words are okay

But I think I know you feel the same way

You have really been good for me

I know I'm a better man

 You have helped me understand what's true

So I need to say thankful words

For my life's been stirred by you.

Mike, I'm so grateful that I've had all these years with you. 

I still find you fascinating! 

I am so very grateful for our time together. 

You are a good man and I love sharing this life with you!  

Happy Anniversary!

  (Go to this site for these and other Mike Struck originals.)  http://origin.cdbaby.com/cd/mikestruck