Give Thanks...For 32 Years

We got married on a Tuesday. People though we were weird...most get married on the weekend. Not us. We picked the 22nd because that day meant so much to us. Our first date was on a 22nd, we got engaged on a 22nd, and we got married on a 22nd. 

Thirty-two years ago today, to be exact.

To put things in perspective, that VW was 26 years old...six years younger than how long Lynda and I have been married.

When you've lived with someone that long, it's hard to remember life before it was she and me.

And, honestly, I don't want to.

I'm thankful we found each other all those years ago. I'm thankful she said "yes" when I asked. I'm thankful for all those years we've had together and I pray they'll continue for a long time. Love you, Babe!

Give Thanks...Happy Anniversary, Kids!

 It's hard to believe two years have passed to the day since our oldest and his fiancee became husband and wife. A lot has happened in twenty-four months, more for them I imagine than the rest of us. They married on a beautiful Autumn day in Northern Utah, and later than night, threw a big party where friends and family danced and celebrated.

I'm grateful to have been a part of their wedding. I'm grateful the kids (they aren't really "kids" anymore...) chose to commit to each other and are continuing to build a life together. My wife and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary last month. I pray my son and his beautiful bride can experience that same milestone one day.

Happy 2nd anniversary, kids! Here's to many many many more.

It's Been A Great Twenty-Nine Years...And The Best Is Yet To Come!

 A few weeks ago I spotted a tweet reminding me to watch the season premiere of ABC's The Goldbergs. It caught my attention because the premiere was to air on September, 22, 2021...our wedding anniversary.

When things happen on your anniversary, you notice...

Or should.

Because I had to work today, my wife and I spent our non-work, non-homeschool time running errands for the kids and each other. We also picked up dinner for us and the kids.

No, we did not fly to some far-off location and have dinner under a famous landmark. No, we did not book a cruise or spend the day at a swanky hotel somewhere far away from our troubles (of course, paying for such extravagant trips would usher in new troubles...). We drove around Logan, Utah in search of license plates, ear buds, vitamins, and food.

It wasn't flashy, but in many ways, it was a perfect setting for us...just a simple outing with my favorite person in the whole world. I do love her so and I can't imagine life without her.

After dinner and the kids going their separate ways, we watched The Goldbergs, a personal favorite. It was a tribute to an amazing actor by those who worked with him and obviously loved him. Thanks to their show, we saw his talents showcased--it was a beautiful and hilarious episode. It was indeed a great way to help celebrate our anniversary.

Wendi McLendon-Covey agreed.

Happy Anniversary Paradise Theatre...The Album, Not The Actual Theatre

This morning I came across a tweet from one of my favorite rock bands, Styx. Their tweet said:

On this day in 1981, we released an album called Paradise Theater. It was the first time we reached #1 and it was our 4th multiplatinum album in a row.

Were you one of those who bought this album when it hit the record store shelves?

I can't say that I went out and bought this album on this day thirty-seven years ago. I'm sure I was aware a new album was coming. It's possible I got a ride with my brother (I was a year away from getting my driver's license...) and we drove down to Grand Central or JCPenneys or ZCMI, or another place that sold vinyl records or cassette tapes, or 8-tracks, but I don't know for sure. I was four years away from keeping a daily journal so I can't check there.

What I DO know is that I did attend the Styx Paradise Theatre tour when it came to the Salt Palace. I have proof--a sticker that I somehow saved. I took a picture of my sticker and responded to Styx's tweet and included the picture. I saw Styx several times in the Salt Palace, and another time about ten years ago in a different venue. Styx had a great sound. I listened to their albums again and again, over and over. It's good stuff.

When you think about it, thirty-seven years is not that long. Of course, it's relative. It's long for a rock band (who are still touring...), but it's not long for, say, a rock. But something struck me as I wrote this blog post--how many things have disappeared from our society--the places we used to buy music, the music formats themselves, and the venue where I heard the bands--pretty much all gone. How fitting, considering the theme of Styx's album, remembering a more innocent time when a theatre became the heart of a society.

And now, the album itself represents a past time, a different time, just like the Paradise Theatre.