FORTY YEARS!

Forty years ago today I married my one true love! 

Here is my letter to him today.

Dearest Mike,

How does forty years go by so quickly?  This year, I believe is the first year we have been apart on our anniversary.  It just seems like yesterday that we were married in The Chapel of Flowers in Covina.  Our wedding was very small with just immediate family attending.  That is what happens when you plan a wedding in two weeks.  But, I would not have had it any other way.  It is the ceremony and vows that are most important and we have been very happily married all these years.  It doesn't take a big wedding to make a marriage last. It takes patience and forgiveness and unconditional love.  I am so glad you have all those qualities.  

Thank you for letting me go to Provo to help David's family. I am sorry I can not be with you today.  But, we will definitely be making up for it later this summer in Hawaii.  I am looking forward to our trip. 

This week I have taken the opportunity to get out and walk early in the morning.  Many of the homes here near BYU are very old, as you know.  I love the architecture. Many are converted into multiple apartments. Does that sound familiar?  I have been flooded with memories.  It reminds me so much of the first year we were married  and our apartment in Pocatello, right down the street from Idaho State University.  We lived in the bottom apartment, one of four, of an older two story home.  I loved how the kitchen and living room were one big room and that big claw foot bathtub was so fun! It was our place just the two of us, and I fell more in love with you. Such sweet memories that first year of our life together. 

Our First Home

I also started pondering how our love has grown and been added onto in ways that I could not have even imagined forty years ago.  Just think, from the love the two of us have shared we now have a family of 23!  And it keeps growing! I have continually loved watching you play with our children and now our grandchildren. They all love you so much! It warms my heart. 

Thank you for forty wonderful years.  I am looking forward to FOREVER with you! 

With all my love,

Cindy