It Just Keeps Getting Better

26 years ago Skip and I had come out of failed relationships, cried in our respective beers, and realized our friendship had blossomed into much more. We sold our houses and joined forces, moving closer to work and into the house in which we still live. 23 years ago we were married in our back yard. The echinaceas were tall, 

Photos by Marilyn Girndt

our neighbour's trees provided lots of shade for the ceremony and 22 of us gathered for the event. 

Initially we were just going to go to City Hall and have a JP marry us. We were both too pooped from the end of the school year to plan anything big. But when I told some of my friends we were going to tie the knot, they eagerly asked, "Can we come?". I borrowed my friend, Shelley's wedding dress found perfectly matching shoes and hosiery. ordered food from a caterer, rented a reverend, and we had a very intimate, casual wedding ceremony in our back yard. 

During the ceremony, I remember trying to soak it all in - that at age 44, I had finally found someone I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I remember that during the ceremony, I could hear the other neighbour's wind chimes tinkling softly in the breeze. It was the first Monday of our summer vacation and one of the hottest days we'd had so far, 33C (92F). 

Sue, Francey, Lorna, Marilyn, Wendy, and Geri

As there was a small gathering of our friends and Skip's parents, we wore nametags and I introduced everyone after the ceremony. Then we scampered inside to enjoy the food, cutting of the cake (baked by one of the talented Gr 9 Family Studies students from our school), and air conditioning.

Some of our guests toured our neighbour's lovely yard and garden where we had some of our pictures taken. That neighbour still lives next door.

Photos by Marilyn Girndt

And here we are 23 years later - still enjoying that back yard. We've made some great memories in this house and out there in the world together. We've been through a lot of challenges and always seem to find our way through - growing even closer. 

We know we are so fortunate to have each other. Relationships and marriage are such a crap shoot - as the future is so uncertain. It's hard to know if the two individuals will continue to grow in the same direction. Luckily most of our growing up was done and we looked forward to the same things - raising Scooter, retirement from teaching, puttering around the house, travelling as much as finances and health would allow. During this pandemic we were grateful to muddle along, safe at home together. It's been such a good run.

Happy Anniversary, Skip! Thank you for the best 26 years of my life.