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Has it been 18 years already?


I could never promise you
On just my love alone
That all my life I’d care for you
And love you as my own
I’ve never known the future
I only see today
Words that last a lifetime
Would be more than I could say
Eighteen years ago, I sung those words to Tony on an oceanfront in Maine. (There was more to the song, but we will save that for another day.) I had no idea what marriage would entail. I was pretty sure love would take care of whatever came our way. And it has. After a wonderful day spent together celebrating our journey thus far (pictures scattered throughout the entry), I thought I would take some time to update my promises. This one’s for you, Tony. Happy anniversary!
PROMISE #1
I have no idea how to be the perfect wife, but I promise you I am going to fake it. (That was my promise 18 years ago.) Okay, so the reality to that statement is I do know what society says about being the perfect wife – cooking, cleaning, laundry, obeying your husband, and all that stuff. However, I guarantee you, I will NOT be that woman. What I do promise to do is buy you appliances for Valentine’s Day and support you as you do all the laundry and clean the house. Thank you!
PROMISE #2
I promise to be myself even when you are wishing that I was society’s perfect wife. Sometimes doing my own thing will involve you and sometimes I will be on my own. Not many men would be able to handle their wives taking a trip halfway around the world for six weeks or having a night on the town with another man. Whatever it is I am doing, I promise to love you while being me.

PROMISE #3
I promise to help you the next time we move. During the last 18 years, we have moved many times. Usually, to relocate to whatever school I am teaching at. Throughout each and every time, you have been there to do the tough stuff – mainly packing. While you would rather be living as a hermit in the woods somewhere, you have adapted well whether we lived in the city life in Pueblo or the country life in Benson. When the packing got to be too much for me, you took on the burden and got the job done.
PROMISE #4
I promise to encourage you to live life to its fullest even if it means quitting a job to be near me or giving up the professional life to drive a rickshaw. Throughout our years together, we have seen time and time again, money is not the important part of a relationship – enjoying what one does on a daily basis is the secret. We may be broke, but we will be broke with a smile on our faces.
PROMISE #5
I promise to keep the passion alive.  I am thinking I shouldn’t say any more here. Might freak the kids out a bit. I take that back…I would DEFINITELY freak them out.
We have something special. It may be dysfunctional at times and anyone looking into our lives may not understand it. Whatever it is, it works for us. I love you! Happy Anniversary.

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