Saturday, August 7, 2010

Hallmark Days


It's a crisp refreshing morning in Detroit. The weather has finally changed, the humidity has taken a hike elsewhere, and I'm hearing neighborly noise I haven't heard all summer. Everyone has their windows open and the a/c off. The woman across the street is playing jazz that I hear between sounds of the vacuum and laughter. My next door neighbors are having a chat about garden plans in the backyard, and the dog on the corner the next street over is yapping.

It's glorious out there today. The high will be 80 degrees with a humidity too low to be mentioned.

It wasn't like that 23 years ago when I stood in a sweltering church in a long sleeved wedding gown and said, "I do." It was hot, hot, hot. And don't forget Hot's friend, Humid. Talk about wilted, I was.

Twenty three years doesn't seem like a long time, but with the challenges we've had raising our youngest, there have been times when it's seemed longer. We persevered though, which is more than I can say for many of the couples we know in the same situation. Marriages are often casualties in the families of children with special needs. I think I can attribute our success to my husband's sense of humor. It's pulled us through incredible difficulties and helped us survive the rough times.

Even if the long sleeved wedding gown was a mistake that day, saying, I do, was not.


24 comments:

Celia said...

Awww! Congratulations! Now, can we see that wedding dress? How about the hair?

Stephanie V said...

Congratulations on this special day. A sense of humor is essential for all successes.

Jane said...

Congratulations! Special needs children do put extra strain on a marriage, but someone knew you guys could make the grade! Much love on your special day. xx

Rose said...

Congratulations to you both!! Enjoy the weekend and the accomplishment!!

Jane said...

Happy Anniversary to you both

SkippyMom said...

Congratulations! Hope you have a special day.

Unknown said...

Happy,happy,happy Anniversary!!!
much love to both of you.

Brenda said...

Beautifully said Rudee. Happy Anniversary to you both.

laurie said...

oh, yay! a happy post. happy anniversary!

and i hope your back is much improved.

Finding Pam said...

Firt off Happy Anniversary and to many more to come. You both are made of the right stuff to raise a special needs child. That says so much about your nature and love for one another.

I can't believe you have your windows open and the ac off. It is a little bit cooler hear say the middle 90's.

I am stirring up a lot of dust in the wash room cleaning and mopping.

Have a wonderful day wit your hubs.

Darci said...

Congratulations and here's hoping for many more wonderful years. I'm with SapphireBlue on this one, I would love to see a photo of you in your dress :)

unmitigated me said...

Congratulations on 23. My 25th is next Tuesday, along with my 47th birthday. The weather in the last couple days has been a treat.

Gail said...

I adore the last line!!!

Happy Anniversary and here's to many more.

Silliyak said...

I would like to add my congratulations. There is nothing that I'm more proud of than my marriage. (no kids)

ztoamom said...

That is a lovely lovely tribute. You know what? I know of six long-term marriages that are happy. Just six. And EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM has has some enormous hurdle to vault or move or make friends with. Including mine (30 years in January). It's like those struggles bond you or break you - not much in between. Most hearty congratulations to you both on the surmounting success of your marriage.

Devon said...

Congratulations! In this day and age, what a wonderful thing to hear of such a long, successful marriage!

debra said...

A day late am I. My best wishes for more love, laughter, heat and humidity :-)

The Crusty Crone said...

There always seems to be a dog barking in the background whenever one stands and "listens" to the neighborhood. I think its a requirement or something.

And god bless a sense of humor!!! So healing. And happy belated anniversary greetings to you and hubby!!

Winifred said...

Hope you had a lovely anniversary and lots more happy years together.

Lisa L said...

congrats rudee! very happy for you :)

NCmountainwoman said...

CONGRATULATIONS!!! Here's to many, many more.

Ruth said...

Happy Aniversry wishes for many more.
Please can we see a picture of the dress.I also got married on a very very hot day in January
(1976 ) had long sleeves as well.Husband had teh pale blue suit on and aslo sweated.

sandy said...

Happy anniversary! I love that you are happy with your choice that long ago. And I really love reading this across the clothesline type post talking about the neighborhood, love it.

Teresa said...

Happy Anniversary! My daughter got married on Saturday - outside, in the sweltering 100+ heat but she had a strapless gown. Even in the heat it was a beautiful day. I also got married on a hot August day (8/20/84) and my son got married on a hot August day (8/18/2006).

Glad the dress was the only "boo-boo"