Our Silver Anniversary

Today I have been married for 25 years. That's more than half of my life.

We have been very happy. I think we knew almost from the moment we met that we would end up together.

We met on October 15, 1982 at a Lord Botetourt High School football game. I had graduated from high school a year earlier; he graduated in 1977. We stood under the goal post and chatted. He asked me out that night.

Our wedding day, November 18, 1983, was a cold Friday; I remember snow flurries. Our nuptials took place at the Daleville Church of the Brethren with a reception at the Botetourt Country Club.

The honey moon was at a B&B in Warm Springs; just two nights. We were back by Sunday.





In 1987 we built the house we live in now. And I mean we built it, hammer in hand. Mostly James built it, so his heart and soul is in every nail. He made us a good, strong home.

In the last 25 years he has moved up the ladder at the Roanoke City Fire-EMS where he works. With his help I went to Hollins College and received my B.A. in English in 1993. He encouraged me to quit my job with an attorney and try freelancing. I never looked back.

We are not rich in the monetary sense of the word but we are exquisitely happy with one another. Our biggest shadow was my inability to have children; those six years of trying to conceive remain our main sorrow. Thankfully we have four nephews and a niece to spoil. It eases the sadness most of the time.

We argue some, but we usually resolve our issues. Mostly we just love each other. To this day we hold hands when we are shopping.

We even hold hands when we're sitting on the sofa watching TV.

I consider myself blessed to have met this man and married him. I am so thankful we have been together all of these years.

Happy Silver Anniversary, my wonderful guy!