Friday, June 30, 2017

He Likes Red, She Prefers White

But after 50 years together, she compromised with Rose`and it's all OK.

It has been a busy month.  My oldest granddaughter graduated from high school, my California family came to visit  and, oh yes, we celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary.  That is half a century/600 months/2600 weeks/18,262.5 days (counting leap years).  Our wedding was our 30th date and we hardly knew each other (duh), but we had that racing heart thing (aka, passion) that goes with youth. We thought that was all we needed, and well, it sure helped to have that over the years.  We have had good times, bad times funny times, sad times and have done that sickness and health bit too often but we made a promise, we made a home, we made a family, and we made a life. We never gave up on each other and we never will. We have grown old and our hearing is fading but that has always been selective anyway. He complains a lot about perceived annoyances, and I mutter under my breath.  We say "huh" often and that ends the conversation and that's OK.  I keep a schedule and notes all around.  He does not want to be bothered with details and is glad I do.  My hands have lost their strength but he is always there to open my jars.  We are Yin and Yang and will never agree on some things but we usually do on the important things.  He gets his way more than I do, but I let him.  He knows how to make me smile and sometimes I need that.

A few weeks ago our children, sons'-in-law, daughter-in-law and grandchildren threw us a surprise party for our anniversary.  We had no idea. We went to our daughter's house for what we thought was a graduation party and upon entering the home, a large group of people screamed surprise and almost knocked us off our feet.  There were people who were local and some from far away.  I have never felt surrounded by so much love.  I had been going through some health issues but that day, I felt great.  There was a magnificent cake made by my son-in-law, pictures of us throughout the years decorating every table and even a video of us streaming on the TV. The food was more and better tasting than what we had on our wedding day, and the music and decorations sounded and looked professionally done. There was even a photographer there and a photo booth with costumes to entertain the guests.  I was so happy and I wanted that day to last a week. It was the most beautiful and generous gift that has ever been given to us.









I told them that they can do it all over again on our 75th.  Next time though, no surprises.



50 year later, he still stirs my heart.

55 comments:

  1. Dear Arleen, what a surprise for two people who have forged a marriage and a life for 50 years and look forward to many more years together. I hope your husband reads this posting as your love for him--despite, or maybe because of, all the ups and down of life--comes through in every sentence.

    Thank you for sharing all this with us and for the photographs. That cake looks "yummy!!!!" and it's good to see the photo of you and your husband in the entry hall.

    I'm sorry to learn that you have not been well. I hope your health is improving. I'm learning, with help from you and other bloggers who read my posts, to listen to my body and be patient with a mind that wants to be thinking all the time and a heart that is seeking her heart wish. Let us both be gracious to ourselves.

    Congratulations on 50 years. You bring a smile to my face. Peace be to you. Dee

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  2. Yes, I like to be pre warned about surprises myself.

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    1. Part of me wishes that I had a hint of the festivities. I would have dressed better.

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  3. What a fabulous party. Best wishes to both of you for 25 more, and counting. And, thanks to you for your kindness all these years. And for marching in Washington, too! :-)

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    1. It was a fabulous party, Joanne. I hated it when people started yo leave as it was hard to spend time with everybody and thank them for giving us that day.

      I think of you often, Joanne, and am mad and sad about what happened to you. You are a hero and an inspiration to so many of us.

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  4. This is a wonderful post. My sentimental self has gone a bit misty.
    Hooray - and as Joanne says, here to the next 25 years. At least.

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    1. In 25 years we will be wheeled in but I have hope that I will still enjoy the cake.

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  5. Congratulations!!! How wonderful! I LOVED seeing those photos!!! :)) Regarding your "duh"...Alex and I met on March 14th 2013, he gave me the key to his apartment THAT DAY lol...and we moved in a week later. We're 4 years strong now. I hope we reach 50 years together :)

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    1. Sometimes couples who have known each other for years don't make the milestones, and others who have a short relationship go the long haul. I believe in chemistry and luck. It sounds like you have the right chemistry, Rain. I wish you the best of luck.

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  6. Happy anniversary, Arleen! Great photos of a beautiful couple.

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  7. Congratulations to you both, and congratulations to your son-in-law who made that fantastic cake!

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    1. That cake was a masterpiece and was delicious also. He is a very talented man..

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  8. Congratulations! And many more!

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  9. Congratulations! 50 is an impressive number and speaks of much willingness to do the necessary hard work, along with many good times. That cake is truly a thing of beauty. Sounds like a wonderful, wonderful day and a memory to cherish.

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    1. Thank you Jenny. Our 50 years together has given us many blessings and a family that we are so proud to have.

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  10. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! Your post brought tears to my eyes, lady. Not just because you guys have put in the work to make your marriage last, but because you're surrounded by people who love you enough to throw you a party like that. How spectacular! And that CAKE! Yowza. Onward and upward to 75.

    My mother-in-law used to have an old photograph on her wall of some relatives of hers, taken on their 75th anniversary. Ever since I saw that picture, it's been my goal to make it that long. Here's hoping we both do!

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    1. The party was a complete surprise. Our anniversary was the next week and my family was telling us that we would have a "family only" party at a winery then. If I had an inkling that when we opened the door of our daughter's home and all those people would greet us, I would have worn something nice.

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  11. Beautiful post! The party looks fabulous. Wishing you many more years, with the gifts of happiness and good health.

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  12. How lovely - and how rare these days! Family and friends are the most important things we can have in our lives. Many congratulations to you both.
    CLICK HERE for Bazza’s uncompromising Blog ‘To Discover Ice’

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    1. The joys in life are best spent with friends and family. We are very blessed.

      Thank you Bazza.

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  13. Just got back in town. I lost my information and so glad you wrote me. We are blessed to be crones. Happy 50th anniversary. You two sound a lot like us. Congrats and the cake was beautiful! Love, sandie

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    1. The cake was a work of art. My son-in-law is a very talented artist and chef/cook. He has taught all of his three daughters to be the same. I love him dearly. Thank you, Sandi, for your comment.

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  14. Happy Anniversary. What lovely memories for you both, and a truly magnificent cake.

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  15. What a beautiful, beautiful tribute!
    And happy belated Anniversary. You are an example to the rest of us!

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    1. Not sure we were an example to anyone, but we tried our best and hung in there during the hard, harder and hardest times.

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  16. And here I thought you were writing about me and my beloved. METHINKS THEG GERMANS HAVE A WORD FOR this. Doppelganger or somthing like that...:)

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    1. It takes a lot to make it through 50 years of marriage; # 1 is being able to live that long.

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  17. Congratulations and your Man is still Handsome and I could relate to so much in your Tribute to being Married to the Love of your Life! Marriage isn't Perfect even under Ideal Conditions a Wise Old Friend once told me early on in mine... I always remembered that Sage Advice. She and her Love were Married about as long as you have been and were one of the most Inspiring Couples I knew as a Young Unmarried Woman... so I always wanted THAT... what they had.

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    1. Life seldom gives us ideal conditions; we all just try to do our best and hope that the outcome will be good. Thank you for your kind words, Dawn.

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  18. oh what a wonderful present they gave you and your husband, and you know, sometimes that racing heart thing is the cement, isnt it. And your husband is a doll, truly.

    Every long married couple has their own style, and they sort of grow around each other, like the maple and the oak in my backyard. Still separate, but the roots go deep.

    Love that picture of you with your hand over your mouth, and I just knew that was when you walked in and realized it was A CELEBRATION. And your son in law outdid himself on that cake...

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    1. Thank you Mittens. I will pass along your compliment to the baker. He did a fabulous job on that cake and was delicious also. My SIL is gifted.

      Yes, that picture with my hand over my mouth was when we walked in and we're surprised by all those people. It was one of the best days of my life.

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  19. A great party present and so nice. Congratulations to you and yours, wishing you all the very best always. Greetings!

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  20. Hi Arleen,

    Here, late again, but, nonetheless, here.

    Indeed, what a beautiful, thoughtful gift and a wonderful party celebration.

    A hearty congrats to you both on your fiftieth wedding anniversary. So heartened that the love beats as strong as ever.

    Thank you for such an uplifting post.

    Gary

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  21. Thank you, Gary. You always say the nicest things. If is so nice to see that you are totally back on Blogger (comments included).

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  22. Just stopping by to say ...
    Happy Anniversary, such lovely memories ...
    That cake looks good ...

    All the best Jan

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  23. Hi there Arleen, glad to see you stopped and liked the pictures of the kitty cat with the big GLOWING EYES...LOL HA HA!! Wow!!--what a neat post you have here....love love love your pretty wedding picture!! Pretty dress, pretty flowers, pretty bride! I love how weddings USED TO be---they are so commercialized these days and all about money and to the point of showing off. Happy happy anniversary you two!!---what a wonderful accomplishment and ALSO not seen as much these days, something to look up to and admire for sure. Very happy for y'all and the big party---it sure sounds just wonderful!! They really went all out didn't they?---and I'm so glad they did, y'all deserved that and you'll have such special memories. Congratulations!

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    1. Yes, weddings were much more simple and less orchestrated years ago. I paid for mine and wore my sister's dress. I did not even get my hair done. However, I remember having a wonderful time and was very happy that day. 50 years later, some of the same people that were there, including my Maid of Honor, were there to celebrate our anniversary.

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  24. Replies
    1. The cake was so much prettier than our original. It was a work of art.

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  25. p.s. I nominated you for the Mystery Blogger Award.

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    1. Thank you very much, Toni, for thinking of me. but I no longer do awards.

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  26. I've been away for so long that I missed this post, but it's wonderful, such a touching and warm tribute. And what a fantastic surprise! Wow! You two look so lovely on your wedding day. I hope you'll accept belated congratulations.

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  27. Of course, because two months after that party, I am still in awe that my children put on such a wonderful party for us. I think of it often and it still warms my heart.

    I hope you are doing well, Jenny.

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  28. OMG - I don't know how I managed to miss this great post, but I'm just reading it now and it makes me really happy.

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    1. I love to make people happy. Thanks for reading this post, Colette.

      I will be back on Blogger soon.

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  29. What a lovely, happy post. So may similarities with your life and mine - we've both clocked up 50 years of marriage with husbands who can make us laugh. I organised our party because I enjoy the planning as much as the event but family and friends set to on the evening because I was in a daze! Happy memories made.

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