{"id":1782,"date":"2016-06-10T08:15:17","date_gmt":"2016-06-10T13:15:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/garyborders.com\/pages\/?p=1782"},"modified":"2016-06-10T08:15:17","modified_gmt":"2016-06-10T13:15:17","slug":"marking-five-years-of-marriage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/garyborders.com\/pages\/marking-five-years-of-marriage\/","title":{"rendered":"Marking Five Years of Marriage"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Dear Julie:<\/p>\n

We married five years ago today on a humid June afternoon. The ceremony was performed under a grove of trees, cows lowing across the fence line. The wedding ring was tied to Rosie\u2019s collar. Your daughter Abbie \u2014 soon to be mine as well \u2014 held Rosie\u2019s leash and kept a careful eye on the ring pouch. We maintained the tradition of a bride and groom not seeing each other the day of the wedding. I learned later you were a bit nervous and stayed concealed in your brother\u2019s house until it was time to walk down the hill. I will never forget watching you slowly descend toward us, radiant and beautiful.<\/p>\n

I rode up to Hughes Springs in the Mini Cooper with our preacher, the Rev. JJ. It would serve as the vehicle to leave the reception, after which we would switch to the Escape for the brief honeymoon trip to Hot Springs, Ark. The Mini Cooper is gone, and we both miss it. The Rev. JJ and I now work together. And you drive the Escape, with 200,000 miles on it. Funny how things turn out.<\/p>\n

It was a sweet wedding, just family. Our friend Rufus quietly moved around and photographed, donating his considerably talents to document the event. Rev. JJ was eloquent and affirming, as always. We were at long last husband and wife, after an engagement prolonged by job uncertainties and several moves on my part. Finally we decided to emulate the plunge we took into a cold Blanco River nearly three years earlier. We decided to get hitched.<\/p>\n

No surprise, it has not been all smooth sailing. When two people marry after passing the mid-century mark, there is enough baggage to pack a few overhead compartments with Samsonites. There has been heartbreaking tragedy. We are not through with that, likely never will be.<\/p>\n

But there has been plenty of joy. Watching Abbie grow up and flourish, my daughters find their way in the world, taking fine trips to New England, Washington state and elsewhere. But mainly it is the everyday stuff in which I take joy. I am slowly learning how to be a good husband to you. Lord knows I am a special-needs learner. Here are a few observations.<\/p>\n

First:<\/p>\n