We cross this river when we drive home coming from the east.
This point on the river is about seven minutes from our house.
As we drive over the bridge Dan will extend his arm with his palm upraised in the form of presentation and say...
"I give you that."
The first couple of times he said it my head was down looking at something on my phone. He told me he didn't want me to miss the moment. It has since become a sweet ritual and it makes me stop, embrace the moment and the beauty of this special place that we now call home. It also always makes me realize how lucky I am to have Dan as my husband and best friend.
I take a deep breath, absorb the beauty and say "Thank you."
It is always a gift.
Twenty four years ago today, my birthday:), Dan and I were married in the gardens at the historic
Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River, Oregon.
Happy Anniversary
Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River, Oregon.
Happy Anniversary
to the man who
gives me the world...
gives me the world...
all my love, j.
Happy Anniversary!!!! Such a beautiful place. I wish you many, many more wonderful years. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeletecongratulations to you and Dan- Continue to enjoy each others love and friendship.
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday (to you) and anniversary to you both, a couple that deserves all the beauty in the world because they give so much beauty back to it.
ReplyDeleteBest,
Tim
What a beautiful post! Happy Anniversary to the two of you, and many more! And Happy Birthday to you, enjoy your beautiful scenery and your wonderful husband.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to you and Dan, may you celebrate your love and partnership for many years to come. And Happy Birthday!!
ReplyDeleteWhen I read your description of what Dan does when you drive over the bridge sounds exactly like the type of things Richard says to me. Good men!
Wow,this looks really great !
ReplyDeleteHugs,Stella
Congratulations on your anniversary and a very happy birthday to you. I truly enjoy reading your blog and viewing your home. What an amazing adventure the two of you have and are enjoying. God bless you both.
ReplyDeleteThat is wonderful! Congratulations and Happy Anniversary! You are truly blessed to be married to your best friend!!! Enjoy the Day!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! Love the river photos, especially the one with the heron. I am a fellow Granite Stater and love reading other blogs from here. I have become your newest follower and look forward to your future posts.
ReplyDeleteHAPPY birthday and HAPPY anniversary, too! What an awesome, never ending birthday gift...to be married to your best friend. You said sometime back that each year, Dan "gifts" you something that he makes...is the labor of love in the yard your gift this year?
ReplyDeleteEvery time that we drive by Multnomah Falls, I think of you and Dan being married there.....what a beautiful place to marry. You should revisit the falls and enjoy our awesomely mild summer weather!
Beautiful story and Happy Anniversary to both of you! I have to say that I live 40 minutes from the beautiful Columbia River Gorge Hotel in Hood River where you were married! Congrats! ~Tammy
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary. To have one's best friend alongside for life's journey is the best gift of all. I wish you many, many more anniversaries and enough moments like the one on the bridge to last a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteWow Joan Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary to you and Dan! What a wonderful day just sorry it's so gloomy and raining. I hope you both have a wonderful day and many, many more!
ReplyDeleteXX
Debra~
Congratulations on your Anniversary and Happy Birthday! That is a beautiful picture and sweet way to enjoy the beauty of the water.
ReplyDeletePam
Many happy returns of the day to you both! Thank you for sharing the beauty in your life with us!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday and Happy Anniversary, Joan! Enjoy the view :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story! It is so nice you realize how lucky you are. Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary, hope you have many, many more.
ReplyDeleteSuch a special day for you and a lovely story! Happy Birthday, Joan and Happy Anniversary to you and Dan!
ReplyDeleteDeborah
Happy 24th Anniversary! Cheers to the next 76 and beyond!
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that the two of you found each other. Happy Birthday to you, and happy anniversary to you both! I'm so surprised that blue herons are found so far north!
ReplyDeletenot only happy birthday and happy anniversary but also congrats on finding and appreciating a man like dan. you two make an awesome couple and i love that he makes a gesture like that for you. it reminds me of something larry does too. you guys are two peas in a pod and just as sweet. all my love, ella is a lucky girl.
ReplyDeletexo
janet
happy love day! how blessed to be loved so well.
ReplyDeletesmiles.
michele
What a beautiful story and gorgeous pictures.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary to you both! Sounds like you got the best birthday present possible 24 years ago! Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteSusan
HAPPY birthday AND happy anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Two wonderful things to celebrate on one day! That IS a beautiful spot, and Dan seems like a wonderful guy. XO, Pinky
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary and Happy Birthday!!! May everyday, especially today, be as special as you two are!!! Have a wonderful day!! :) donna
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday and Anniversary! How blessed you are to have found each other!
ReplyDeleteHeather
What a wonderful way to celebrate your birthday each year, by also celebrating your anniversary! Happy Birthday and Happy Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteKat
Happy Anniversary! It is so awesome that you have found someone to share those magical, beautiful moments in life.
ReplyDeletexx
callie
Happy Anniversary to you and Dan and a Happy Birthday to you!
ReplyDeleteIt's obvious the devotion you have for each other and it's a treat to see in this day and age. Woohoo 25 is coming!!
Glad he makes you look up and enjoy the scenery!! Your river shots are beautiful and the heron was perfectly placed!! LOL...
We had our 34th this past April- hard to believe! Have a wonderful anniversary and birthday celebration- best wishes for many many more!
Cheers!! xo
Liz
Happy Anniversary...........and it wonderful to know that you STILL feel lucky! That, my friend, should never be taken for granted. What a blessing to be able to call your husband of 24 years...your best freind.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures. I'm very jealous.
What a sweet post. Happy Anniversary. I know what you mean about living in NH. I am in the White Mountains and it is breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteA very special anniversary -- and birthday -- wish to two very special people.
ReplyDeleteXO Victoria
I wonder how many moments we miss, looking down at our phones. I see couples sitting at a restaurant, sharing a meal, but not each other, because they're in a relationship with their phones, instead.
ReplyDeleteBless you both, on this wonderful day!
I just drove by that hotel last weekend. My family is from Hood River, so we visit often. The grounds of the hotel are as beautiful as ever. A great place to marry.
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary. Cheers to the next 24.
Such a cute story. And don't you love a man who makes you stop and smell the roses? My hubby does the same. Happy Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary! It is always uplifting to hear of lasting love.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversay! You are both very blessed with each other. Nothing is better than sharing your life with someone who "gets" you. I think you both "got" the other. Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteJoan,
ReplyDeleteYou and Dan are so blessed to be walking through life together, enjoying all of it's precious moments, both big and small.
Happy Anniversary, and Happy Birthday!! May you share many, many more years with your best friend!
What a sweet and genuine couple you are! I know you MUST be planning to pop the bubbly tonight!
Cheers!!
xo-Lisa
Happy birthday and happy anniversary! Here's to many more!!
ReplyDeleteClaudia
Happy Anniversary to you both. Your photos are beautiful especially the one of the heron.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!!! Congratulations on 24 years :) and happy birthday!!!! I am so happy I found your blog. You are such an inspiration to me!! Hope your day is the best!!
ReplyDeleteWow... a DOUBLE happy to you!!
ReplyDelete...blessings...and love...laney
ReplyDeleteMy laptop keyboard is doing wacky stuff. I'm going to try to comment again. I'm sorry about that. Happy Anniversary to you! You have a beautiful site. I'm a fairly new resident of New Hampshire from the bayou state of Louisiana. I'm visiting your site for the first time; but I will be following along with you.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary Joan! I hope there's some bubbly involved! lol
ReplyDeleteHappy! Happy! Smart to marry on your birthday. Hard to forget the date. So, one my favorite questions to ask couples is, "How did you two meet?"
ReplyDeletehi hbd, We met at the old Stapleton airport in Denver. We were both "bumped" off of the same flight going to San Antonio. I was so mad about getting bumped (I didn't realize that you got a free ticket out of it;) that I didn't listen to where we had to go to get on the next flight out. Dan and another guy were walking in front of me so I had to ask them where we were supposed to go. Our first conversation started there!
DeleteThanks! It makes your special romance even better! Love the story and thanks for sharing it. I don't think Hollywood could have written a better script.
DeleteI love that you and Dan love love and that you love each other!
ReplyDeleteHappy anniversary! What a beautiful story, and what a sweet husband.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary and Happy Birthday!!
ReplyDeleteSweet post! Happy anniversary and Happy Birthday! So much to celebrate!
ReplyDeleteHappy AniversaBirthday!
ReplyDeleteLong marriages should be celebrated! Congratulations and Happy Birthday too! Lovely post.
ReplyDeleteJoan and Dan,
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary to a couple that clearly was meant to be together...your fans enjoy your adventure. :-)
karen
Happy Anniversary to you and Dan, and Happy Birthday to you, Joan! Thank you for taking a moment to share your special day with us. :)
ReplyDeleteJoan, Dan, and Ella: Happy 24th anniversary...you two are blessed. Happy Birthday, Joan. Cindy
ReplyDeleteRaising my virtual glass on a toast to another 24 glorious years together.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary!!! Happy Birthday to you as well !!! Love the pictures of the river , hope you have a great start of the week .
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! It's mine too. Blessings from Keizer, OR.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story...so romantic. Happy Anniversary and happy birthday!
ReplyDeletexo
annie
Happy anniversary and happy birthday! You are a lucky woman to have a man that appreciates the little moments in life as well as the big!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth
Happy and blessed anniversary!
ReplyDeleteDan is such a wonderful man. How blessed you are to have met a partner who understand stands you so well.
ReplyDeleteYou two are perfectly matched.
Happy Anniversary and Birthday to you my friend!
xo xo
Brooke
Happy Anniversary and Happy Birthday also. It is indeed a special day - my son we born on the 29th 9 yrs ago. He was actually due on our wedding anniversary which is Aug 2 - Thursday. Love the River shot - so beautiful. nothing says I'm home more than that. Rx
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to your son Ruthie!!
DeleteHappy, Happy!!!
ReplyDeleteWishing you a wonderful day and happy memories that will last a lifetime.
Hugs-
Carolyn
Cheers to you and Dan! Cheers to you!
ReplyDeleteThinking of you on your special day...
xoTrina
What a lovely post. Blessings and best wishes to you both!
ReplyDeleteHappy (belated) Birthday and Anniversary! And may you have many more!
ReplyDeleteP.S. I've enjoyed your posts so much... thank you! (I'm seeing "shiny" ceilings in my future!!)
Congratulations on your anniversary, and Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteThis beautiful photo surely says "Welcome Home!" It also looks so very much like a painting of a nearby creek/woods done for us by my husband's grandmother as our wedding gift thirty-eight years ago. I, too, have fallen in love with a house, and love your blog, and now feel another connection - we love and savor the same sort of view -- one that brings serenity, and says "Welcome Home!"
Best wishes to the two of you for many, many happy years in your beautiful home in that beautiful setting.
Happy Anniversary!!!!!!! It is so sweet to know we share a birthday. July 29 is mine as well! Your drive must be a heavenly event each time you make it!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to you too!!
DeleteHappy belated Birthday and Anniversary, Joan!!!!! May the next twenty-four years be just as happy and full of contentment. -Brenda-
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary to you and Dan and Happy Birthday to you!! I hope you both have a wonderful day together!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! What a great love story. Happy Birthday to you, you get the best birthday gift year after year. The memories the two of you are making :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Happy Anniversary. I wish you many more years to come. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary and Happy Birthday! Wishing you many more years of happiness and discovery!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations!!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary and Happy Birthday!!! Thinking of you, as I head to Dallas later this week with my boys. Off to see the Chihuly exhibit at the Dallas Arboretum. Get a little Tex Mex and see family and friends!
ReplyDeletexoxo Elizabeth
The happiest of anniversaries and birthdays to you! I hope you had a beautiful day!
ReplyDeleteI hope your birthday and anniversary were both wonderful! And I wish you many, many more.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday and Happy Anniversary! We celebrate our 24th anniversary in October this year. Certainly sounds like you got a keeper and so did I.
ReplyDeleteDear Joan,
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday and Anniversary!!
You two are such an inspiration to so many...
This blog is such a happy place to visit and it is such a gift to be a part of your lives through it!
Enjoy your milestones my friend. You are infinitely blessed!!
Oh and thank you for the comment you left this morning, it made my day.
Confirmation from you is like gold, PRECIOUS!
Much love,
Terri
Congratulations Joan! During the 16 years we lived in Lake Oswego my husband and sons took me to the Columbia Gorge Hotel for brunch every Mother's Day. On every visit we enjoyed walking through the gardens...even in the rain! I always thought it would be a beautiful setting for a wedding! Thanks for a little trip down memory lane.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary Joan and Dan!! and happy Birthday Joan!!! Sorry I'm a bit late but have been up the walls with the new venture! Hope you both had a lovely day!
ReplyDeleteSharon
xxxx