Sixteen years. So, this photo was taken right about this time of day, on the 21st of January, 1995. That’s my beautiful wife, Melissa, right there. I joked today that I’ve been happily married for sixteen years and that Mel’s been happily married for some of those years, too.  (Champagne comedy, right?  In my defence, it was meant as flippant self-deprecation and not as some passive-aggressive complaint about her).   But sixteen years of marriage - relocations, new starts, the loss of her Mum, raising two wonderful kids with another one on the way in April, new jobs, new business, late night fevers, early starts, the arguments, the disappointments, the family issues, the challenges and heartaches and pressure and worry of being a grown-up - take an undeniable toll.  Marriage is hard work.  It’s completely worth it, but it’s hard work nonetheless.  I know that the girl in this picture (and yes, at 20, “girl” is apt) didn’t know everything she’d be signing on for - who could know? - but my hope is that I can make her as happy, loved, and content for the next 16 (and 64!) years, as she looks in this picture.   View high resolution

Sixteen years.

So, this photo was taken right about this time of day, on the 21st of January, 1995. That’s my beautiful wife, Melissa, right there.

I joked today that I’ve been happily married for sixteen years and that Mel’s been happily married for some of those years, too.  (Champagne comedy, right?  In my defence, it was meant as flippant self-deprecation and not as some passive-aggressive complaint about her).  

But sixteen years of marriage - relocations, new starts, the loss of her Mum, raising two wonderful kids with another one on the way in April, new jobs, new business, late night fevers, early starts, the arguments, the disappointments, the family issues, the challenges and heartaches and pressure and worry of being a grown-up - take an undeniable toll.  Marriage is hard work.  It’s completely worth it, but it’s hard work nonetheless.  I know that the girl in this picture (and yes, at 20, “girl” is apt) didn’t know everything she’d be signing on for - who could know? - but my hope is that I can make her as happy, loved, and content for the next 16 (and 64!) years, as she looks in this picture.  

Notes