Dear Eddie:
Seventeen years ago today, we paraded around in Forsyth Park. You were wearing a tuxedo and I was wearing a lacy concoction I’d never wear today. Your hair was super tall and curly. I had accidentally dyed mine black. We still looked OK — for ’95 anyway.
Most of our friends were there with us, wearing clothes they’d never be caught dead in today. Remember Pat’s teal suit?
Since that day, we’ve had so much fun together. We’ve traveled around the world, kept great friendships and made new ones, created two new human beings, and laughed with/at each other every day. You roll your eyes at my reality TV obsession while I sigh at your fitness ones. You sew while I like to raise chickens. You like to play the part of Megatron with the kids while I’m off playing Words with Friends. It works.
Some people get together and want the other person to change. But we don’t do that. We are essentially the same people we were when we got together. We’re both independent and self-sufficient. We don’t need each other; we want each other.
We’ve gone through some rough patches, but we both realize that marriage is work. That work reaps amazing rewards. I credit She Who Must Not Be Named for helping us strengthen our relationship early. It was the opposite of what she hoped, I know (cue evil laughter). And to Nancy Lopez, who said we wouldn’t last a year, well … [the title of a Cee Lo Green song applies here].
I think we’ve lasted because we took our time getting together in the first place. You know that saying: Good things come to those who wait. OK, yes, it was a ridiculously protracted time, but whatever. It worked.
And it doesn’t hurt that you look better now than you did when we got married.
I’ve seen pictures of some of the people I used to date and I think, “Dear God! What is that thing?” “Well, I certainly dodged a bullet.” “My husband is unusually handsome!” So thank you for not letting yourself go all to hell. And I hope you don’t think I look too raggedy. I’ve tried to keep it together.
Anyway, happy anniversary. I love you (duh!) but I also still like you. And I think that’s more important.
Love always,
Beth
Observe and report 
Awwwwwwww, I loved reading this! Congrats to you both!
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That’s so awesome. When I was reading this, I actually teared up while laughing. Congrats to both of you. You guys have what many of us hope to find. You won the really important lottery. 🙂 And it came with chickens and the cutest kids ever.
(Really, he sews? That is MAGNIFICENT!)
Big hugs, guys. And seriously….wow. 🙂 ~brindley
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Happy Anniversary Beth. And Eddie. And the chickens you need to to refurbish because I miss reading about them 🙂
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Thanks, ladies! I do feel like I’ve won the lottery. I couldn’t have married anyone else but Eddie. He lets me be me. (And Christine, I really want chickens again, but we’ve been traveling too much.)
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Truly lovely. My parents were the same, well more dysfunctional, but doable for the “Archie Bunker” era. Congratulations and thanks for letting us be a part in your joy!
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Thank you for reading!
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Many years ago I read an interview with William F Buckley and his wife. Her response, when questioned about the 30 years they had been together, she said “Staying married is the best revenge.” That is to say, revenge against a world that has so many things in it to damage your happiness. I wish you and Eddie the best of revenges!
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Thank you! (That’s awesome!)
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