I mean who gets married on leap year? ME. I thought it was especially fitting since I proposed to my husband on a dare, one month shy of my 22nd birthday. I know, I know, it is a true miracle we are still married. We were discussing our future plans and I basically said ” you better ask me to marry you soon because I am not moving in with you after college and living in sin.” That was August 19, 1991 and I was scheduled to graduate in December. Lou looked at me and said,” If you want to get engaged then just ask me to marry you… Come on, just ask me.” “Fine” I smirked….. “will you marry me”? He looked at me and said, “so, does this mean we are engaged’? “Yes it does, and I need to call my mom immediately”. I dialed up my mom told her we were engaged and she said “I will call the church right now and get back to you with some dates”. Fifteen matters later my mom called back and said, “February 15 of February 29, 1992”. “I think the 29th since it will be hard to get good flowers for the day after Valentine’s day”. Lou laughed and said ” you know that is leap year and we will only have an anniversary every 4 years!” ” Who cares, I will tell my mom to take the 29th”.
Within 30 minutes our wedding date was solidified and Lou was physically sick. He immediately went to the bathroom and vomited and then went missing the rest of the day. Apparently I had ruined his plan to propose to me on Labor Day and now he would never have the chance. I guess he didn’t know me well enough to realize that if he challenged me I would rise to the occasion. The next week I went off to college to complete my final semester, while spending all my free time planning our wedding that was only 6 months away. We were the first ones married of all our friends so the wedding was more like a fraternity/sorority event. We had a legendary reception at the Surf & Sand in Laguna Beach and went back to celebrate there this past Friday.
The past 20 years have been the most challenging of my life but also the most rewarding. I sometimes think I was so spoiled as a child and I had so much fun in high school and in college that God decided that’s it for you. You have officially met your quota for fun and relaxation. It is work from here on out. Despite all the chaos and work involved in raising 2 healthy girls and one girl with serious special needs I could not have done it without Lou by my side. Happy Anniversary Love…
P.S. Remember, Nothing of value is easy to obtain and keep, including love…..
i love you