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Wednesday, July 29, 2009

for the love of a husband...



July 29th, 1988.

Twenty one years ago today I said "I do" to a very wonderful man.
We were married in the gardens at the historic Columbia Gorge Hotel in beautiful Hood River, Oregon.
It was a very quiet, simple wedding...just the two of us and our parents.
I carried a bouquet of gardenias.
It was a perfect day.



Dan is....
my confidant, my hero, my cheerleader, my love, my secret keeper, my partner in crime, my reality-tv watching mate, my best friend, my lamp maker, my much better half, my reality check, my furniture waxer, my hero, my car washer, my soul mate, my gossip buddy , my antiques partner, my sounding board, my yard man , my chandelier wirer, my crush, my solve the world's problems adviser, my dog washer, my kind soul, my dragon slayer, my extra eye when antiquing, my personal dilemma solver, my gas tank filler upper-er, my 'yes' man, the president of my fan club, my doggie's daddy, my artist, my comedian, my joy, my picture hanger, my grounding rod, my heart, my personal driver, my coffee in the morning getter, my daily compliment giver, my ....................................................................
In essence, he is my everything, all rolled up into one human being!
Dan once gave me a card that I would like to give back to him, it read...
"To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world."



For those of you who don't personally know Dan, I thought this story, regarding the above photo , would give you a glimpse of the man who is my husband:

"It's summer several years ago, and we have escaped to Colorado to get out of the 102 degrees back in Dallas (and so Dan can go fly-fishing and I can sit by the river, read shelter magazines and drink wine!) It's a very cool day in Wagon Wheel Gap, Colorado and we head off on a drive up Pool Table Road- a curvy, gravel, forest service road. I was secretly looking for a large piece of forestwood to use as a dining table centerpiece. I turned my heated car seat on and enjoyed the view, mile upon mile (12 to be exact) I rejected piece after piece from my comfy, warm car seat. I then spotted the perfect piece of forestwood, but at this point was so comfy I didn't want to speak or get out of the car.......... Next morning, I wake up and am consumed with the thought that I HAVE TO HAVE THAT ONE PIECE OF FORESTWOOD--RIGHT NOW!!! I tell Dan I need to go back up the mountain (all 12 miles, thank you) to find that one piece. I assure him I know exactly where it was on the 12 miles!, and he, without objection at my far-fetched plan, obliges and off we go.

Now this day it was raining, so everything looks totally different. I keep telling Dan that I think it's at the "next turn", "okay, well, it will definitely be the next turn"... it was not. Never once does Dan lose patience with my silly plan, or query me on where the hell is that one log in this forest of logs.

I never found said piece of perfect wood.... but at about mile 11, when even I was losing patience, I found this beautiful piece of forestwood that has bedecked our dining room table for years.

Every time I look at this beautiful piece of Colorado forestwood, I think of my sweet, sweet husband who "gets" me and my unusual decorating ways!

The only thing the man won't do for me is go fabric shopping with me....... that's when he turns into the husband sitting in the car outside of the store (you know the one!), but I'll give him his one ;););) fault!"


(be sure to note in the photo the rock embedded in the log!)



I wish my husband of twenty-one years (who reads my blog and checks for comments!) a very happy anniversary from your wife who adores you.

You are my heart.



postscript:
oh, I almost forgot;)...... it's my birthday too! At 28 young years of age I hated birthdays and decided that getting married on my birthday would make me like the day, and would give Dan only one day, combined, to remember!
For the record, he's never forgotten my birthday or our anniversary!! I'll do the math for you... I'm 49 !
We're off to Maine today! I see lobster in my future!!

Happy, happy today!

joan

35 comments:

  1. What a delight to read and very moving. I wish you many, many happy returns on your birthday and your anniversary.

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  2. How sweet of you to share such special things about your husband, mine understands my unusual ways also, we are truly blessed. Happy 'special day' to you! Flick

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  3. I don't know that I have ever "met" two people who adore each other as much as the two of you do ......I am remembering Dan's comment on your post about choosing your paint colors....

    I love every story and caper and adventure you share with us. My life is so much richer having found you.

    Happy Happy Day

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  4. Happy Birthday! Happy Anniversary! What a lovely post! Have a sweet special happy day!
    Roeshel

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  5. Happy Birthday and Anniversary...have 2 lobsters they are SO CHEAP this year, I heard on the news cheaper than hotdogs LOL

    Kathy :)

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  6. i loved this post so much. i actually tearred up reading your descriptions including "daily compliment giver" and "reality tv watching mate"-- it is SUCH a gift to have a loving, wonderful, best-friend-partner-in-crime spouse and I wish you the most wonderful anniversary and birthday too.
    ps that is a simply stunning centerpiece and the beautiful story makes it all the more so. xox julia

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  7. Congrats to you both on your anniversary and birthday! Great post... great story... awesome piece of wood, especially considering the memory attached to it. Enjoy your holiday!

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  8. Joan,

    Happy Anniversary to you and Dan. It sounds like he is a KEEPER. AND Happy Birthday to you.

    Your piece of forest wood I loved and what a special piece. What a guy.

    Enjoy your lobster dinner.

    Carolyn

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  9. Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthday -- what a great tribute to a great husband.

    We've been to that hotel -- it would be the PERFECT place for a wedding!

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  10. Hi Joan,

    Eat a lobster roll for me! My hubby is from Maine! Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthday! I just realized that we are both 49. I'll be turning the big 50 in the fall. Yikes! I've been married for 24 years. Isn't this a great time in life? Enjoy your special day!

    Margaret, Virginia Beach

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  11. Dear Joan,

    What a beautiful tribute to your husband, your marriage and your life. I think the rock embedded in the centerpiece is a sign of your rock-solid love for each other (and I don't even know you guys!) People often ask me where I get my self-confidence and I always reply that if you lived with a man for almost 30 years who told you each day how wonderful you were, you would start to believe it too. Your story is an inspiration to all married people to appreciate their spouse a little more today. J

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  12. Hi Joan, What a beautiful love story. Happy, Happy Anniversary to you and Dan! He sounds like a wonderful husband, so thoughtful and loving ; ) Enjoy your getaway to Maine - AND HAPPY, HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Oh, and I'll think of you both when I drive by the Hotel ; ) Your wedding day sounds perfect.

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  13. Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthday!

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  14. Joan and Dan:

    Happy Anniversary to you both. It is easy to write such things when they are written from the heart! It is obvious that the two of you are so in love. What a treasure! Also, Joan, I wish you a very happy birthday! I have three years (tomorrow) on you and I say that life just keeps getting better. Enjoy Maine, your lobsters, and each other....Cindy

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  15. Happy Anniversary, Joan and Dan. I'm often struck by our similarities. Our 26th anniversary is tomorrow, July 30. Going through life with the same person is truly a gift. It's the best to have someone who 'gets you'! All good wishes for a wonderful day, birthday and anniversary!
    Kathleen

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  16. Joan, Happiest of Birthdays to you and a Happy Anniversary to you and Dan. What a pleasure it continues to be to read of your home and hearth, your thoughts and inspirations and all the blessings that they contain. And may you have many more years together...and have a great time in Maine...see you when you return!

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  17. Oh! I forgot! I'll be in Maine too this Saturday night (working, not on vacation, alas ) so I'll wave to you there!

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  18. Happy Anni-Birthday! My Father's Birthday today too! Sending Love & Glad Tidings to you both.

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  19. Happy Day to you both, and thanks for giving us your lovely blog.

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  20. Hey girl...You snagged a pretty coolio garage guy!

    And now you are even closer to my heart...same age...same anniversary (well, not the day but the years)

    Big hugs to both of you...who I feel I know.

    Oh. Nevermind...I DO know you.

    ...'cause I secretly live in your glass subzero.

    Shhhh.

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  21. Oh that gorgeous Linda is a hard act to follow! You guys were so meant to be together, it is awesome that you complement each other so perfectly. And as far as birthdays go sweet girl, don't do what I did this year & decided that I would turn my new age around, as 53 backwards is 35 - whoopee! For you, 49 would be 94- not good! The happiest of double celebration days to you dear Joan.
    Millie ^_^

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  22. Congratulations and Happy Birthday!
    I really enjoyed your story, enjoy the trip and the lobster!

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  23. Thank you SOOOOO much everyone for your sweet and touching well wishes! We had a wonderful day! Think Lobster, Black Forest Cake and Champagne- now how bad can that be (to quote Ina!!)

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  24. Happy, happy birthday! And happy anniversary! That was a beautiful post. You are both so lucky to have each other. I pray Forest and I are as happy as the two of you on our 21st anniversary! Have a beautiful weekend!
    xoxo-Allison

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  25. Happy Birthday and Anniversary! What a great story about the forestwood. Sounds like after all these years, he's still a keeper.
    Enjoy the lobster. Nothing is better than one from Maine!

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  26. Dan is truely a KEEPER and always has been--ever since Joan's Dad and I first met him...
    He has always loved us too-- none of those awful Mother-in-laws jokes !! We even went with them on their Honeymoon!! Their wedding was such a special event at that beautiful Hotel Garden--and the lovely brunch we had with his parents--doesn't seem like it has been 21 yrs....Thank You Dan for making our daughter so happy!!!
    AND "Happy Bithday"- my "Baby Girl"--you have always been a joy to my life and a special friend too !! I am so Thankful, all of my Girls have found such "very Special Wonderful Men" to share a good LOVING long life with*****
    ---Much Love to you both ALWAYS,
    Your Mother

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  27. Aw, that is soo sweet. Happy anniversary and happy birthday too! I am so much older than you! 4 years!

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  28. i mean 5 almost 6 years older. I can't count.

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  29. Happy Birthday dear Joan and Happy Anniversary to you and your dear hubby. Such a beautiful tribute to your husband. I hope your day together was so special. A-M xx

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  30. Happy Birthday, Happy Anniversary!!

    What a wonderful post- your love absolutely radiates through your words (and the forest wood!)

    I teared up when I read your description, and then again when I read your moms comment.

    Hope you enjoyed your lobster- and your special day.

    Carolyn

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  31. Thank you for your inspiration, both in your renovations and in your honoring of your husband.

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  32. Just started following your blog, your home is just beautiful and I loved reading this post about you and your husband.
    Lots of love, Renee

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  33. What a beautiful tribute to your hubby!!!!! We have been married for 43 years now, we both were babies;) He is MY best friend too and so much more. It is such a blessing. The best thing is that he makes me LAUGH every single day! Blessings to you bith! XO, Pinky

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  34. This is one of the sweetest things I've read. Thank you for reminding me what a sweet man I have as nearly everything you wrote could be about him. We are very lucky ladies

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  35. You've made me nearly cry with this most wonderful 'story' of your man and your forestwood (never heard anything else but driftwood but it makes perfect sens!) - You really seem to have drawn the BIG lot with your darling husband.... I'm a 'newcomer' to your blog and am looking forward to looking backwards in your older posts. What a treat awaits me :)

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Welcome! Thank you for leaving a comment; you have no idea how much your comments inspire me to keep writing- I appreciate each and every one. Comments are moderated by me prior to publishing on the blog, so if you don't see your comment post immediately it will be posted as soon as I receive and read it. joan