On our 1st anniversary, San Geraldo and I catered a huge party at our place in Boston. We invited everyone we knew in town. Most came. I think many figured it would be the one and only anniversary we’d ever have. Some, I’m sure, were surprised we had lasted even that long. I know San Geraldo and I were both pretty impressed with ourselves. Neither of us had had a year-long live-in relationship. Before San Geraldo, I couldn’t even stand having a roommate. I never imagined I could survive sharing a home, not to mention an entire life, with someone else. Especially not someone so much larger than life.
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| SEATTLE, 1982. THE MAGIC TEN MONTHS IN. (I WONDER WHAT I WAS THINKING.) |
Nine years later, on our 10th anniversary, we catered a huger party at our home in Guilford (we had already lived together in Boston, Massachusetts; Marina del Rey, California; Washington, D.C.; and New Haven and then Guilford, Connecticut). Ten friends who had been there for the 1st anniversary returned for the 10th. Ten years seemed like an amazingly long time to be together.
Today is our 32nd anniversary, which is well-timed because one of my recent Spanish lessons included the phrases, “Nos casamos hace [treinta y dos] años” or “Llevamos casados [treinta y dos] años” (We have been married [32] years). In these additional 22 years, we’ve been through life in San Diego, San Francisco, Palm Springs, Santa Barbara, Las Vegas, Irvine, Sevilla, and now Fuengirola.
We’ve struggled and thrived (over and over again). We’ve grown. We’ve become more relaxed and easy going. We’ve become more set in our ways (and, in San Geraldo’s case, more crotchety). We’ve become more open-minded and more opinionated. We have evolved. We have reverted. We are, neither of us, entirely, the men who started.
Happy Anniversary to my very own San Geraldo who has made life, although not always easier, so much richer — and better and more worthwhile — than I knew it to be.
From “Into The Woods”
“Into the woods.
Then out of the woods.
And happy ever after!”
Congratulations! Isn't it wonderful to have someone to share experiences? The fun thing is that they never have the same experience. Makes it interesting.
So good to see you again, Page! Thanks so much. You are so right about the differing experiences.
Congratulations :))
You two look very "guys in the '80s" in that photo 🙂 I especially love the matching mustaches and the cool 1982 off-center thing going on with Jerry's cool shirt 🙂
Judeet:
Now we have matching beards and our bodies are kind of off center. We just look like "guys in THEIR '80s"… well, not quite. We were always kind of trendy.
Happy Anniversary! The "then" photo is very nice, but there should be a "now" photo to show how happy you two are 32 years later… maybe include your children, Moose and Dudo. Congratulations!
Sharon:
Maybe San Geraldo will smile for the camera at dinner tonight. But we happy DAMMIT we're happy!
What a great great story!!
Happy HAPPY Anniversary!
Thanks, Bob. I like our story, too!
So much to say…first, congratulations. I know exactly how it feels. After a nine year anniversary, I thought even nine weeks would be too long to be with just one person.
I raise my glass to you and toast to your good health and to the longevity of the relationship, and of course to you.
saludos,
raulito
Raul:
I remember a former friend saying, "Ah, love. Well, how long is THIS going to last? A month?" I told him it had already been three months. He was shocked and apologized. He didn't realize it was so "serious."
Thanks so much for the toast!
Happy Anniversary you two!
Mitch you have nailed what a long-term relationship entails. congratulations and here's to a great day to celebrate.
Jim:
Thanks so much, Jim. Dinner in an hour at a place we love down the beach.
THIRTY TWO YEARS!!! That really deserves a huge "WOW!" Immense congratulations to the both of you.
And you, Mitch, haven't changed one little bit after thirty ONE years. Now which one is you? (Nice purple sweater, by the way.)
Looking forward to reading the blog of your dual adventures in 2045. Meantime, congrats again and again.
Raybeard:
You're a sweetheart… and a smart ass; I'm the one with his tongue in his mouth (his own mouth).
Happy 32nd anniversary! I love the picture! San Geraldo and you are such a great match. Filled with love and respect for each other. I am so happy for you both. Thank you for sharing your travels. Love to you and San Geraldo.
Jo:
Thanks for sticking with us for the ride! But, who said anything about RESPECT???
Congratulations! I am truly happy for you both and wish you many, many more years of love and happiness, adventures and satisfactions ahead.
Kristi:
Thanks so much, Kristi!
Many congratulations to you both. It's not always easy (I know) but so worthwhile. I sometimes think that couples don't try hard enough to get through the rough patches without throwing in the towel. 36 years here (and feeling the aches today)!
Craig:
I think it's important (though difficult) to be able to admit when it's not right, but I agree with you than many couples don't try hard enough. It's not easy, but can be so worthwhile. Congratulations on your 36 years together!!!
You are among those fortunate souls lucky enough to find your soul mate in life. Congratulations.
Stephen:
And, clearly, so are you! Thanks so much.
You are one precocious poster! I found you've posted three times since my last visit. Best wishes to you and Jerry on your 32 years. Obviously the frequent changes of scenery have kept your relationship fresh.
Ms. Sparrow:
My goal (fantasy) is to post every day. That lasts for three or four days sometimes!
San Geraldo and I both agreed that our first move (from Boston to Los Angeles) 1 year and 3 months into our relationship was what helped solidify things. We knew hardly anyone and became each other's best friends and sole(soul) support.
32 years! Congrats and happy anniversary. I am truly happy for you and San Geraldo. You two are blessed you know, it's not everyone who is lucky enough to find their soul mate.
I'll be raising a glass to you both at dinner tonight. A good Kiwi red, of course.
And wow, haven't you lived in a lot of places! You two don't half get about!
Judith:
I raised a glass of cheap Spanish red (still good but I'm sure not as good as yours). People used to ask my mother why she didn't move to California to live closer to us and she always said, "They'll just move again!"
Happy, happy anniversary to you both! I'm so happy for you guys and impressed by you all at once.
Side note–I love Sondheim, and especially Into the Woods!
Michelle:
I love lyrics (San Geraldo loves percussion…) and Sondheim is by far one of the most brilliant.
Thanks!!!
Warmest wishes on your anniversary. May the next 32 be even better!
Walt the Fourth:
Thanks!
Congratulations on 32 years Togetherness. Many, many happy returns to that!
Peter:
Togetherness and separateness as needed! Thanks!
Mitch, re your reply to my comment above (sorry, still can't reply in the right place, even with this 'improved' computer) – using the words 'ass' and 'tongue' in the same sentence is really living dangerously – but don't stop.
Raybeard:
It's not the computer. It's Blogger. Not very consistent sometimes… but FREE!
The Dowager Duchess I'm sure just read you comment and said… "Raybeard!"
Well, thank goodness that the good D.D., being a lady of some 'innocence', I'm sure, will not quite understand what is being referred to. (Phew! That was close!)
Raybeard:
You're probably in big trouble. The Duchess is very worldly… but always appropriate.
32 years so VERY HAPPY for you both. I admire the will you both have to face the ups and downs of your relationship. Seriously, though life throws at you what you can handle and you both have down a great job with that.
All the best on your Anniversary Weekend!
Ron
Psst ~~ Seriously you 2 look exactly alike, mirror image….what's that all about?
*smiles*
Ron:
Thankfully, life hasn't given us (so far at least) more than we can handle. It has been known to happen.
Ah, the '80s.
What a wonderful post. Congrats
HK:
Thanks again!