Friday, August 1, 2008

We've Done It Again

I've shelved the Allegory of the Hive through the weekend while I take part in anniversary celebrations!



I'm primping and reflecting on the magic and madness of marital bliss. Tomorrow marks our seventeenth year of marriage; it's beautifully mind boggling given the roads we've traveled. Neither of us come from sparkly Dr. Sears-like upbringings. And, our parents, while, they may have watched the Cleavers' they certainly didn't aspire to live like them. What I'm getting at is, Joe and I essentially built the road we travel and, with very meager tools and teachings.

I watched that reality show once; The Amazing Race, it was during the couples' season. It's the closest physical representation of our marriage that I could use as a springboard for this post.

Some days we've got the maps out, feverishly bumbling about trying to find our way out of one phase and into another. Other days we're victorious, it's those days we're able to recover, process and strategize before the next detour. I get choked up just writing this; we have been tragically lost at times; desperate and even hopeless. And, just like the participants, you vacillate between quitting and sparing yourself the uncertainty, disappointment and shame of losing and, risking it all and just believing in yourself and this other equally lost and clueless person. Some days admittedly, the thought of beating them to death and burying them along the trail seems a viable option. Had I not watched more, exponentially more episodes of Forensic Files than that race show, I might've considered that route a few times. Laughs.

The good thing, like all races, marathons and our marriage is this point we're at right now; the big win, another anniversary, our very own ticker-tape parade. Tomorrow is all about bells, whistles, fine dining and wine (beer for me); a reprieve. A day of rest and reflection before we go back to training and lacing up our shoes for another 365 days on the course. Perhaps we'll move a bit faster this year. While we're still looking lovely as ever, it appears we're not burning as many calories as we once were. And, what's that in our hair you ask? Oh, um it's uh...confetti. Yeah that's what it is, silver confetti!

13 comments:

Kiandra said...

congratulations!!
my 9th year is fast approaching...and let's see my advice...

drop it like its hot as often as you can...

cause no matter what..."loving" can work on some thangs.

as for the mature advice:

know that quitting isn't an option, we know that no matter what, quitting at this thing called "us" is not an option...which means come hell, high waters, or sunshine...we gotta work it out. that means picking and choosing battles, listening...communicating, laughing in the midst of battles and reminding the stubborn one "i aint getting divorced so you better work at this with me." we don't leave the option of backing out open...and somehow this makes us see that there is no option besides working it out and finding our happiness. not the neighbors, not our friends, but our version of happiness.

tattytiara said...

Happy Anniversary! I got no smart to give, but I gotta say that graphic's fabulous.

Sandra Evertson said...

Great blog!
Sandra

AuntDsHandcrafts said...

Congratulations :) My husband and I just celebrated our 7th anniversary. I love how you compare your marriage to the couple's amazing race, sounds about right to me!

Lissa said...

Congratulations! We've hit our 9 year mark. I don't know that hubby and I would do real well on Amazing Race...I'd be yelling at him a lot and he'd look the part of the long suffering husband.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations, that is no easy task. Best wishes to you both.

Moonchild Dancing! said...

Aww! That's fantastic. :) We are coming to our 6 year and lovin every minute of it. :) Peace! Tammy

Rosebud Collection said...

So happy for you both..Have a wonderful day...

BeadedTail said...

Congratulations on your 17th anniversary! Next Friday is our 20th anniversary so I can relate so much to your Amazing Race analogy. Enjoy your day and the experiences yet to come!

Unknown said...

:-D

wishing you two continued love and happiness!

Mequet said...

Woohooo!! Congratulations!! kiandra said pretty much everything I was thinking and her post very much sums up mine and Justin's attitude to our marriage. So, when do we get to see the present?

High Desert Diva said...

Hope you had a good weekend celebrating!

Smashgirl said...

I loved reading this article and how you compared your marraige with the amazing race. Very clever and true! I also have been married almost 17 years so I can totally relate to this! Happy Anniversary!

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