25 Years with Bill 💗

I married Bill 25 years ago today.  Twenty five years, or 9,129 days, ago on a Sunday1 afternoon in Meriden, CT we said "I do" in front of 75 family members and friends.  The Macarena was #12 on the music charts and Bill Clinton was three years into his first term as President. Lois and Clark also got married on this date, as did Faith Hill and Tim McGraw.  

Twenty-five years ago I was 34 years old and recently purchased my own condominium.  I was a sergeant in the Army National Guard and had already been working and supporting myself for more than 10 years. I had spent a long time relying on myself and I didn't think that it was possible for someone to love me without trying to change me or my life. 

Since that day, 300 months or 219,103 hours ago, Bill has been my solid and safe foundation. Not once have I looked and not found him. He has always been, and always will be, right beside me with his hand on my shoulder.  

Sometimes his touch is gentle and I barely notice it - those are the times when he knows I'm doing just fine. Sometimes the touch is a little firmer, for when I need a bit of guidance.  And sometimes, sometimes the grip is tight as those are the times when he is holding me up. There has never been a time, not once in more than 25 years, when I doubted him or his love for me. I have never not felt his hand on my shoulder.   

I know of no other person who is as consistent or as fair as this man. He never waivers in his loyalty, his wisdom or his love. He loves to listen to Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Frank Sinatra and Bob Dylan. He researches each and every single purchase before he buys anything. Anything. Frustrating sometimes, but he is seldom disappointed and he seldom makes a mistake by overpaying.  

He loves Seinfeld, Michael Scott, slapstick comedy, British humor, Ron Swanson, people falling down and dogs doing silly things. And fart jokes!  I mean who doesn't love fart jokes, fart noises and simply hearing the word 'fart'?!  It's a trait he shares with Jeffrey and Christine - two of his children.  Oh my, how they will laugh themselves silly talking about farts! 

He is incredibly patient and always fair. He helps me keep the house clean, keeps our cars and garage spotless and has never once told me my studio was a mess or has he made me feel guilty for having the whole room to myself. 

He goes with me to the vet with Missy and buys me blueberries because he knows that I like them when they are especially fat and plump. He takes me to Key West, even though we have literally been there 7 times already. And, while we are in Key West, he doesn't complain when I want to spend a lot of time at The Butterfly Conservatory3. 

He is an excellent and careful driver and does not speed or drive like a jerk. He whistles like someone who doesn't know he is whistling and he is always looking for ways to make our lives better. He has tremendous patience with people and situations and never makes a promise he can't honor.  And, he is never, ever, ever late for anything. Ever.

He does not complain when I burn candles, no matter how many I burn at once, and he always has my back and gently corrects me when I need it.  He does not spit or swear, he always opens the car door for me and he will wrap the presents because he knows it's not my favorite thing to do. 

He eats a hard boiled egg every day and can drink coffee right up until he goes to bed at night. He likes the hard peppermint candies that restaurants put out and has tremendous willpower when it comes to eating chocolate. A trait I particularly admire.

He never rolls his eyes when I tell the waitress exactly how I want my meal prepared and he holds the hot Baked Ravioli dish so I can spoon it onto my plate. He lets me go in front of him in the salad bar line and doesn't seem to mind when I take the good lettuce. He is extremely gentle with Missy and takes great care when he has to wipe the gunk from her eyes. He has never once told me I can't do something, and he always supports and encourages me in every single thing I do or try. 

No matter what we are doing on Sunday night, he makes sure that I never miss 'The Dog Park' at 7:05 on AFV.  He goes to the library for me and makes sure my tires are properly inflated and never become worn.  He is never mean, and he understands and respects when something is done or said in confidence, and, he is an excellent judge of character - something I seem to have to always learn the hard way. 

He takes great pride in maintaining our yard and he has planted (and sometimes replanted) every single shrub, plant and flower in our yard.  This includes the 48 trees that are in razor-sharp straight rows, and exactly 4 feet apart, that line the inside of fence in our back yard. He shares his pretzels or ice cream with Missy, and he always lets me try whatever it is that he is having. He slept by his mother's bedside when she was dying and he goes with me when I have to get my blood work done.

He always takes good care with how he looks when he leaves the house and he looks great in baseball caps. I know that he has made sacrifices for me but he has never made me feel guilty, not once, about any of them. He has very good manners, is always on my side and can fall asleep, literally, anywhere4. 

He served our country and will always be a proud and loyal American. He always kisses me hello and goodbye - even when he just goes to the grocery store.  He wakes up happy and always calls me sweetie, even in front of other people. He does not have one single bad habit, never complains and will put away my book and turn off the bedside light when I fall asleep while reading. 

He was with me when we put Ginger down and found us Missy when I couldn't bear the thought of looking at another dog in a shelter.  He does a really bad Elvis impression but a really good Bob from Schitt's Creek5.  He does not lie, does not compromise his integrity and will tell the truth gently if it is not good. 

He has never been lazy, is painstakingly precise in every single thing he does and always works hard without complaining.  He makes my heart smile and feel grateful each and every day of my life. I know what love is because this man has shown me. 

I have been blessed beyond measure by having Bill in my life and I wanted to share just a little bit of what makes him so great. We stopped buying each other birthday and anniversary cards and gifts a long time ago, but I couldn't let this day pass without giving him this special gift.

Sweetie, I love you very much and you are always, always, always at the top of my list of things for which I am grateful for.  I would not be who I am today if I didn't have you in my life.  Happy 25th Anniversary! 

1. Neither Bill or I have any clear recollection of why we got married on a Sunday but it probably had to do with the availability of the venue. 😕 

2. ....and I'm pretty sure we played that at our wedding

3. My very favorite place in the whole world!  Home | thekeywestbutterfly

4. It's true! I have a picture of him in the stands at a NASCAR race....asleep!

5. Bob Jog. All of Bob’s entrances on Schitts Creek. CBC Netflix. - Bing video