Our 12th anniversary—today—and what a crazy day we had! It started off great, but the afternoon took a horrible turn!
Twelve years ago, today, October 22, 2011, Lin and I married at the Albuquerque Square Dance Center, surrounded by nearly 300 friends and family. We had a short lovely ceremony and a big dance party with square dancing, round dancing and couple dancing! Today we started our anniversary off dancing at the Trail Out dance to end a wonderful weekend with Dee Dee Dougherty-Lottie calling.
After everyone sang “Happy Anniversary” this morning, Dee Dee played a fun-loving waltz that felt more like a polka during one break, and we waltz-polkaed to it. Then Jerry Gilbreath surprised us during another break by singing George Strait’s “I Cross My Heart.” What’s the significance of this song?
At our wedding, I had written a poem for Lin and read it. Lin knew I was writing a poem and responded to my poem with one of my favorites! Wow! What a treat for Jerry to remember and sing it today.
After the morning dance ended, we headed home. On the drive in to Albuquerque in the morning, we saw a major accident on the eastbound lane of I-40, but we thought it would be taken care of by our return trip! NO!! As a fatal accident, it kept the interstate closed for hours!
Then we tried to figure the best way up the canyon home. See, there’s two ways to go: I-40 or old Route 66. Using Google, we found out I-40 eastbound was still closed, so we went by Cost Co and got gas, then headed up Central. I jumped out of the Jeep to grab a drink at Taco Bell for the possibly long trip home. So, by this time—after noon—we went up Route 66, surrounded by semi-trucks and cars at almost a standstill.
What added to my frustration? The Denver Broncos’ game began at 2:25 PM, and I couldn’t get it on Sirius radio or on the Internet. A friend texted me updates about the Broncos’ game, so I had an idea about what was going on.
About four hours later, and some movement up Route 66, we found out another incident added to our delay—a downed power pole across the road. So a state patrolman told us to turn around—finally I-40 was open.
Finally, we got home at 4:30 PM after spending most of the afternoon in the car, inching our way towards home.
So, I ran out of time to do my blog about our trip to Germany. Instead, here’s the poem I wrote for Lin and read to him at our wedding. I hope you enjoy it.
It’s Here!
Larada Horner
It's here! Our life together starts toda The past is behind us The future looms positively in our view! I have labored over the words to say to you. How do I find words to describe what has happened Between us There is not a container to hold it We come from 2 rich, full lives a small town New Jersey boy and a country girl from Colorado Other places, other times Other husbands, other wives We arrive here today From tragedy The loss of Kathi Your dear former wife And My dear friend We arrive here today From joy In our newfound relationship, Having been friends for years! I knew you and liked you before I fell in love with you! Thank you for proposing to me On Christmas morning, 2010 In front of Mom and Aunt Willie, My 92-year-old aunt and making It official. When You met My Dear Uncle Tanky After you proposed, he took me aside And said he's the best! I agree - I have no doubt! Many of our friends here today have Told us that they will be glad when we get married, So, we would stop kissing and hugging each other All the time! I will never stop! Each kiss and each hug heals my soul at a deeper level I want more! Lin, to me You are a cool mountain breeze Deer stopping by for nourishment & comfort! You are laughter! Every Wednesday night at round dancing when you refer to the foxtrot as the F word, I laugh deeply! I know that the life we will start today Is rich blessed And oh, so good! As I look out over Our family and friends, I know we have the support And power to make this marriage Become a fascinating adventure. Today we become husband and wife And some of you may wonder "why?" At our age. Here's my reason - I wanted to stand today before My family and friends and God and profess my love to you. To me the sacrament of marriage Has a different value today! I wanted the protection for us That marriage offers. I commit today To be Larada Creative, messy, wacky and fun! I ask you to be Lin. Creative, neat, linear and goofy! Together we form a "we" That's dynamic! I could site a long list of thank you’s today, but I want to thank you mostly for one thing - choosing to Share the rest of your Life with me! It's here!
Finally, our 12th anniversary will be memorable for sure, but even though the afternoon was grueling, Lin and I celebrated this day and each other! We marveled at how much we’ve packed into these twelve years and what lies ahead of us!
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- Big Discount on my new e-book, Hair on Fire: A Heartwarming & Humorous Christmas Memoir—$1.99 UNTIL TUESDAY, OCTOBER 24 on Amazon!
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