Valentine's Day, an Anniversary and a Very Special Birthday

February, 2013

- By Cindi

On February 14, 1986 I married the love of my life.  Yes, the date was Valentine's Day.  We were young and naive and were convinced that Valentine's Day was the perfect day to get married.  It didn't take long before we realized that getting married on Valentine's Day was one of the most stupid things we could have done.  You have to share the day with everyone.  Try getting a restaurant reservation without booking it weeks (or months) in advance.  It's not done.  Or show up at any restaurant and be prepared to wait sometimes two hours or more just to get a table.  Then everyone else is celebrating Valentine's Day while you are trying to celebrate your wedding anniversary.  I could never regret the marriage (still going strong after 27 years) but I will forever regret going along with my soon-to-be husband when he suggested getting married on that day.  It was not my idea and he is reminded of this each year.  We have managed to find ways around the crowds.  We have even gone so far as to celebrate the day before or the day after.  On our 25th, we went to Vegas and renewed our vows in a very cheesy ceremony with my oldest son walking me down the aisle and giving me away to his dad.  The man performing the ceremony was drunk I think.  We giggled throughout.  We also found some Mobile friends who just happened to be in Vegas at the same time who attended.  We love these people so I was thrilled to have them be part of our fun ceremony.  Afterward, we all escaped to our over-priced hotel and drank cheap champagne and beer and ate pizza long into the night.  It was wonderful.  There is a video of this event that I assure you will never see the light of day.  What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, right?  Or hid in a spot where no one will ever find it. ;)

February 14, 2011

Scott and I have raised three wonderful sons who are all grown now.  We have literally gone through hell and back at times but we always stuck it out because of the love we have for each other.  We have had the ups and downs that are common in every relationship.  But at the end of the day, I know I am loved as does he.  Sure, I want to strangle him sometimes.  That's normal. I assure you he also has those moments with me.  He and I are as different as night and day and not just in appearance (he's a tall 6'2" brunette and I'm an under 5'2" blonde).  I'm a morning person.  He most definitely is not.  My man can build or fix anything.  I'm totally useless in that regard.  He is quiet and soft-spoken.  I'm, well, not.  He can easily sit and watch the same movies over and over again (Gone in 60 Seconds, all of the Fast & Furious movies).  I am a reader and have no problem reading one book after another every day of my life.  Him?  Not so much.  He doesn't understand my need to escape in fiction and that's okay.  He accepts it as I accept being forced to watch Nicholas Cage and Paul Walker again and again.  He also has this obsession with old cars (his 'baby' is his 1966 Ford Fairlane) and can sit and read the same car magazine over and over for years until it's literally falling apart in his hands.  I don't understand it but I don't need to.  He is shy in a sense though he has a wicked sense of humor.  Me?  I can carry on conversations with random strangers and tell you their entire life story when I'm done.    We don't always get each other but we get each other.

So, on February 14, 2013, I want to wish my wonderful husband a very Happy Anniversary and a Happy Valentine's Day (we celebrate both).  We got married young and have basically grown up together.  I consider myself blessed.  I married a good one and I could not imagine my life without him.  I am a very lucky girl.  He's lucky as well.  He is reminded of this often. :)

Sherri is the cute one on the left.
I'm the one standing.
April, 1974

Also, I will be remembering my sister, Sherri, on February 9th.  Had she lived, she would be celebrating her 48th birthday on that day.  I will think of her and no doubt I will shed a few tears but I will also remember and be thankful for the years I had her in my life. Not many people can truly call their sibling their best friend.  I can.  For that I am more grateful than anyone could know.  So, Happy Birthday my sweet sister.  I will honor you that day by raising a glass of  Hawaiian Punch and eating Lindt chocolate truffles and Reese's miniatures.  I will do this while listening to (for reasons you would understand), Leave Out All The Rest, Linkin Park,  from one of your favorite movies and one of my favorite bands.  I may even brush the dust off the old Twilight movie and watch your beloved Edward and Jacob.  I will do this with a smile because I know you are somewhere looking down on me with pride.  I love you little sister and I miss you more each day.

If you celebrate Valentine's Day, I hope you have a good one.  If you are considering getting married that day, take my advice.  Don't.  The candy and flowers and all that are nice but they are put on the back burner if you are trying to find a way to celebrate an anniversary.  Pick a day at random that is nowhere near any type of holiday.  You'll thank me for it. :)