Nine Years Ago Today...
January 4th, 2012
Nine years ago today I wore the most expensive item of clothing I will ever own (I sold it a week later for a small loss. I am not sartorially sentimental). I had my hair and make-up professionally done for the first and last time. I carried around a bunch of very heavy roses, and I smiled until the back of my head ached. I was surrounded by an overwhelming array of happy family and friends, and my movements were tracked by a photographer. I sang (not solo, I hasten to clarify), danced, drank champagne, didn't eat nearly enough cake- dress and nerves wouldn't allow it- and made some outrageous promises.
Nine years later, and I have kept the promises. I have been faithful to my husband, forsaking all others. I have loved him in sickness, both real and imagined. I have had him and held him, I have taken him to be my husband for better, for worse. I have shared all my possessions with him (not that he really wanted co-ownership of the small-ish pile of junk I brought to the marriage). He has kept those same promises to me.
Yesterday, the first work day after the Christmas break, is known as Divorce-Day by lawyers, because there is a huge spike in the number of enquiries about legally ending marriages. Perhaps it is because Christmas can be stressful, or perhaps people have held on to a prentence of normality for the season of goodwill to all. Whatever the reasons for this particular date being distinguished by such a sad statistic, the truth is a lot of marriages don't make it to the finish line of death that we all aim for. I am therefore in the mood to celebrate today as a miracle of determination, of overcoming the odds, of overriding quirks and irritations and worse and bulldozing onwards. Shawn and I do not have the perfect marriage, or anything close. But we are still married. We still find each other funny and interesting and attractive in a good light. We love each other more deeply and realistically and passionately than on our wedding day.
So will you raise a glass with us, and wish us God's blessing on next year?
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Your comments
Veronica Zundel~ January 4th, 2012 ~ 13:01Congratulations. We're about to hit 23!
Fi Ivin~ January 4th, 2012 ~ 14:01Loved it - as ever and what an appropriate response to yesterday's sad claim to notoriety. Well said Jo!
Cathy Le Feuvre~ January 4th, 2012 ~ 14:01Congrats to you both and God Bless! So beautifully written and thought provoking as always! Thanks!
Júlio Reis~ January 4th, 2012 ~ 15:01Here's to you—and to ourselves too! 15 and counting.
Ginny Swinney
~ January 4th, 2012 ~ 16:01Here is to many many more!!
Wish we could have been there to celebrate your very happy day but hope to see you this summmer for Rachel's
It is amazing that NINE years have already passed Jo! I have been thinking much about your chapter of our lives (both in our lives, and in Cheerful Madness) and hoping that one day, when someone gives us a few million, we can take the kids to visit all the people we love around the world.
Definitely rejoicing with you! I am overwhelmed with love for my Ken as I am blessed by his enduring promises being fulfilled on a daily, hourly, basis. Much joy to you and Shawn!
Suellen Swinney
~ January 4th, 2012 ~ 18:01I will be more then happy to join you! Happy Anniversary and may there be many many more to come.
Dawn
~ January 4th, 2012 ~ 19:01Absolutely - well done guys and wishing you many many more years as the delightful couple you are!! xxd
Helen Rayner
~ January 4th, 2012 ~ 20:01I sure will raise my glass!!
~ January 4th, 2012 ~ 20:01Louise sharp
~ January 4th, 2012 ~ 20:01Celebrated 9 yrs on 30th dec can relate to your thoughts! Congratulations
gabi
~ January 5th, 2012 ~ 05:01Congratulations Jo and Shawn! And a lovely wedding it was too! We just celebrated our 4th. Love and hugs x
Ania
~ January 5th, 2012 ~ 09:01Congratulations to both of you and wishing you all the best for the many more years ahead of you. Lots of love.
G Jordan
~ January 5th, 2012 ~ 18:01i will do so!
Amy Jeffrey
~ January 6th, 2012 ~ 21:01Yes Jo, we remember as we were there as photographer (and assistant). I remember that day and I will always remember your anniversary as it comes the day after mine and Bruce's anniversary (10th this year). Your family is beautiful. We hope to see you again some day. Blessing to the both of your this year and always.
bryony byrom
~ January 15th, 2012 ~ 18:01Belatedly, Jo, we raise a glass and pray God's blessing for this year. Thank you so much for including us on your Big Day those years ago. It was a stand-out day for realising the value of old friendships, and how we needed to work hard to make sure we saw people more often!
