My love, My life

I would say that, by most standards, forty years is a long time.   If that is true, why does it seem like it was just yesterday that this man of mine and I became man and wife?  Why does it seem like all we did is blink and poof, here we are?





Jim and Deanna - June 17, 1972



Maybe it is because we married the right person and have held on tight as we shared our lives together.  We found strength in each other to help us face any struggles, burdens, sorrows, and heart breaks.  We've held on to our happinesses, joys, successes, and loves.  We celebrate each day together.  All of these things could be the reason that 40 years have flown by in the blink of an eye.  I am very blessed to have had Jim standing next to me as I am traveling this journey called life.

June 17, 2012
Tessa, Deanna, Jim, Julie, Greg

Our children, their spouses, and our grandchildren did everything possible to make this day very special for us. 


Saturday we they got everything ready.  The plan was to host a cake and punch reception at church after Sunday morning Mass.  Then just family (and our pastor, of course) was going to have a good ol' fashioned BBQ at the house.  That meant the metal lawn chairs had to be retrieved from the garage storage and cleaned off.  Since there are 18 of those things, that is a job all by itself!  The menu was BBQ Pulled Pork, fully loaded baked beans, potato salad, deviled eggs, Mex-Tex Dip & Chips, left over cake from the reception, and home made ice cream.  It was PERFECT!

Anniversary Cake
Center Cake has the names of everyone in the family written around the border
The two side cakes include words that describe our life together
As I read the cake, it didn't take me too long to tear up - because that is what I do... It was beautiful!

Front row:  James, Cara, Jim, Deanna, Allen, Reagan, Austin
Middle row:  Anna, Tessa, Emily, Alicia, Dakota, Julie
Back row: Bill, Greg, Travis, Doug, Cody

 We took tons of pictures.  So, of course, I made a video.  The song used in the video is John Denver's "For Baby".  We sang that song to each other on our wedding day, so it seemed appropriate to use it. 

With that, I will leave you with the words to "For Baby" and a link to a video of our 40th Wedding Anniversary. 

"For Baby (For Bobbie)"

I'll walk in the rain by your side,
I'll cling to the warmth your hand.
I'll do anything to keep you satisfied,
I'll love you more than anybody can.

And the wind will whisper your name to me.
Little birds will sing along in time.
Leaves will bow down when you walk by,
And morning bells will chime.

I'll be there when you're feelin' down,
To kiss away the tears if you cry
I'll share with you all the happiness I've found;
A reflection of the love in your eyes.

And I'll sing you the songs of the rainbow;
A whisper of the joy that is mine.
And leaves will bow down when you walk by,
And morning bells will chime.

I'll walk in the rain by your side.
I'll cling to the warmth your tiny hand.
I'll do anything to help understand.
And I'll love you more than anybody can.

And the wind will whisper your name to me.
Little birds will sing along in time.
Leaves will bow down when you walk by:
And morning bells will chime.

by John Denver

Watch out for June!

June.  What can I say... June is the happening month. 

39 years ago, this guy I met in Kindergarten and I got married.

Playing nice when cutting the cake

We were young and in love.  We are still in love and young at heart.  Our lives are full and blessed beyond all of my dreams.  Together we have raised a family of three wonderful children.  Our lives have been one challenge and many joys after another.  All I can say is that I would not have wanted to walk hand in hand through life with anyone else by my side. 

If we promise something to each other, we try to keep our promises.  In 1976, money was tight.  We already had a beautiful little 2 year old girl and were expecting another baby that summer.  Even though it was going to be financially difficult, we decided I would quit my job and stay home with the kids.  Since we seldom ate out - even fast food was a budget buster - Jim promised this very pregnant wife that he would take me out to dinner for our Anniversary on June 17.  This was one promise that he struggled to keep.





Greg - 2 months old



Gregory James chose the evening before our anniversary to make his appearance.  What a sweet bundle of joy he was.  I immediately thought he looked just like his daddy.  Happy Birthday to my sweet son!

Of course this meant that I was in the hospital doing the mommy thing when our anniversary rolled around.  But never fear, Jim kept his promise (kinda).  He shared my hospital tray of food with me.  That was as close as we could get to eating out for our anniversary this year.  At least it was free!  Good thing, because our new baby boy wasn't!  Oh, and for dessert Jim brought me a milk shake.  Chocolate.  That probably wasn't the wisest choice of dessert for a nursing mother.  I'm not too sure how we have survived each other, or how our kids have survived us, but somehow it has all worked out!



Here is our rolly-polly lovable little boy. 

Greg & Alicia and family

And here he is 34 years later with a family of his own - still making me smile with all my heart.

Who could have guessed that many years later, our daughter would meet and marry a wonderful man.  Well, that part isn't so surprising.  But the fact that his birth date is also June 16, was kind of amazing.  Happy Birthday to our son-in-law, Bill.  Thank you for being part of our family. 

Tess and Bill and family

Here he is with his happy family.

And that leaves Julie for another day. 

She was considerate enough to not be born in June.  But watch out July!