a perfect anniversary

(I realize I have used this picture before but it is the only one on my computer.)
My sweety and I had the perfect anniversary yesterday. But let me begin on Sunday - Steve took me for a drive through the hills to Shaker Village where we walked in the cool low humidity and talked through each of our 35 years - what happened, what mattered, what hurt, what made us laugh. It was marvelous. We imagined what life would be like if we lived another 35 years together - after all we've done what would we do?

And then yesterday we began the day with Steve spraying our house for bugs and spiders - which were becoming too many to ignore. We spent the afternoon in bed, some of the time napping. What a luxurious thing to lounge about in bed during the afternoon - windows open, breeze floating all around, being with your best person.

When we wanted to we got up, dressed fancy and drove to Murrays and took a table in their garden, quite private and perfect in every way. I have to say we (read "I") consumed much too much of everything. My tummy still hurts. I shared some of my fillet Mignon with a beautiful stray cat who lingered in the bushes beside us ... clearly used to both begging and hiding. She seemed to appreciate the fine quality of the beef.

During dinner our youngest, Vincent, called to give us the welcome news that the job market had finally opened for him and he is adding this piece to his life. He was happy, and took time to tell us how good it is for him to live in Chicago, even with the various challenges.

We drove home with the windows open and went to our respective TV's to enjoy a taped British murder mystery (me) and a football game (Steve.) It was the perfect day.

During the night I had a dream. I dreamed about this morning, where I am speaking in chapel before the whole seminary. I have felt anxiety about this - but worked it through and am prepared. But in my dream every possible thing went wrong - to the point that people walked out and I could hardly begin let alone conclude my address. But the telling point is that in my dream I laughed about it. I laughed so hard, out loud, that I woke both Steve and myself up. I am still smiling in my soul.

I have had the privilege of living with one of the best men on earth for most of my life. I enjoy every day in some way. He does not hesitate to make me smile. He climbs into chigger infested fields to gather me a handful of wild daisies. He cleans up after my messy cooking forays. I do not live with criticism. I live with a big fat YES! spoken to me every day in all manner of ways. If all else around me fails, love will last, of this I am sure.