Expectation Management, Part II

Jamie and I were married 32 years ago today in Seattle. We had been together for

5 years before that, living in Seattle, Huntsville (Alabama), Arlington (Virginia), Washington, DC, and Atlanta before the big day. It so happened that the wedding took place in the midst of the Rodney King riots, as they spread to Seattle. Since we were living in Atlanta at the time, we packed all our wedding-related festivities into the few days before the wedding while in Seattle (saving precious vacation days) which made for an interesting night of bachelor and bachelorette parties. Some people where just not fans of going out to party when rocks and bottles were flying around... But, nevertheless, we persisted! And a worthy celebration was the result with the bachelor and bachelorette parties coming together at the end of the night. We were no worse for the wear... Well, except for Jamie and his sprained ankle!

So, I am not a woman who is enamored with grand displays or gestures of romance. I have given Jamie a lifetime pass on Valentine's Day because I consider it a holiday built up by Hallmark. We have never really made a big deal of our actual anniversary. Sure, we go out for dinner or something, maybe give each other a small gift, but nothing huge. Honestly, don't the small, day-to-day things mean more?

In years past, we celebrated our anniversary by watching the Caps in the play-offs.  I remember one game in particular that went ON and ON, setting what must have been some record for overtimes. (Oh, to have such a problem again!)

When we hit 30 years, I had visions of putting together some kind of great trip. But it happened to coincide with our daughter Caroline's graduation from the University of Georgia AND our daughter Madeleine's graduation from her Master's program and graduate assistantship at Minot State Univeristy.

Between the actual graduation celebrations, apartment hunting trips, moving them into their new homes, and getting them settled, it's safe to say there was...

So this year finds us with another peculiar celebration. I know that we won't get a chance to even talk to each other, let alone celebrating together. Right now Jamie is literally AND figuratively in the desert with respect to communications! I'm not even sure he will know what date it is! If he does, I'm pretty sure he'll remember that it's our anniversary, and I'm even more sure he'd be as happy as I am for the last 32 years.

Happy anniversary, Jamie. Do the thing. Hike the hike. We celebrate when you're done!

xoxo