38 - Not Out!

Today, Mike and I celebrate 38 years of married life. The time has flown by so quickly that neither of us can really believe it.

I would like to thank Mike, publicly, for being a man in a million. Always a hard-worker, always putting others before himself, always ready to help

other people.

I smile today as I remember how I repeatedly told him I would never marry him and begged him to stop asking me. How he said he would never give up, he knew we were meant to be together. He was correct, we were.

Our early days were not easy, we faced family opposition on both sides even though we were well over the age of consent. Luckily, my parents came to love and accept him as a son as the years went by. He helped tend both my parents at the end of their lives, more especially my Father. Mike would spend long hours at work, come home, go around to my Dad's, get him bathed, help him into his pyjamas, see he had taken his medication, get him anything he needed and then put him to bed. This was night after night for a very long period.

The last time I saw my Dad to speak to, he told me he had been so wrong about Mike, that he was so thankful for all he had done for him. He had tears in his eyes.

Mike's job took him away for days at a time when we first married and also for many years afterwards. It was hard on both of us. We faced and weathered many storms. We are still facing them - together.

So, today, Mike darling, I would like to wish you a very Happy Anniversary.



When you retired, we looked forward to doing all those things that we never had the chance to do because of your employment. Visiting places we had never seen, going for long walks with the dogs, dining out now and then and more recently, taking our Grandsons out and about. Instead, you now find yourself looking after me.

On my "bad" days when I cry, you are there to comfort me. You take care of all the shopping, you do so many of the chores around the house, you have become a dab hand at cooking. You never complain, you never lose your temper. Whatever I ask, you do it and very often things that I do not ask. On top of this you still continue to help other people.

Thank you for never giving up all those years ago, thank you for wanting me as your wife and life-partner. Thank you for all you do for me and all you have done for me. I know you have given up so much because of my health issues. Thank you for being my rock. I thank God for you, not just today, but every day. I love you with all my heart.

The family will be coming over late this afternoon when the boys finish school. We will switch on our Christmas lights and watch the delighted faces of our Grandsons. We will share together, celebrate 38 years and look forward to many more.

I may have problems but I am a very lucky woman and God has truly blessed me in my wonderful husband and family.

I made this video two years ago for our Anniversary so please ignore the title. I am publishing it again today with great pride in my Mike and thankfulness for all these past years and looking forward to sharing many more happy ones.

I would like to thank Antonella for the lovely Anniversary Card she sent to us. It was so kind and thoughtful. Hugs, my friend.