Make that nineteen years of wedded bliss.
We were (relatively) young whippersnappers, weren’t we?
Seriously, the wisest decision I’ve ever made was to marry this man. I had no intention of ever being married, was happily single…and then he walked into my life. Suddenly I was faced with a choice; avoid commitment, which was my previous M.O., or embrace it, despite the fear. I chose to embrace it and everything I worried about; would I feel smothered? would I have space? would I get bored with him as I had everyone else? would I lose my independence? – all of it fell away into nothingness.
The truth: I found an extraordinary man. Even in the midst of my fears, I knew that. I still know that. Every. Single. Day. And there’s not a day that goes by where I don’t thank God for bringing him into my life.
We met on July 4th. Four years later he proposed on July 4th. And the following October, in Nevada City, California, we were married.
I’ve never been one to disparage my husband, or to ‘commiserate’ with other women about my spouse. I have too much respect for him to do that. And why would I? As far as I’m concerned, I found the best partner in life I could have ever hoped for.
We’re in different parts of the country today, but we’ll celebrate when I get to New Orleans. We’ll have a lovely dinner on his day off, which is the 23rd. I mean, how romantic is New Orleans? Lucky us!
Happy Thursday.
Congratulations on your anniversary! While you’re in New Orleans, be sure to tour the Garden District. You’ll be blown away by how beautiful the homes are. Just stunning.
I will. It’s on my list! And thanks for the anniversary wishes!
congratulations, claudia and don, on nineteen years of marriage and the four and a half years before that … and best wishes for all the years to come!
love the photos … your happiness is obvious – and wonderful to see! without ever meeting you, i know it’s great that you two found each other. i am glad for you both.
happy anniversary and every day.
kathy in iowa
Thank you so much, Kathy!
Happy Anniversary Claudia and Don! There is no better blessing in this world than a happy marriage. Here’s to nineteen more! Cheers!
Thank you, Tana!
Happiest anniversary wishes to you and Don! New Orleans is a great city to celebrate in! Wishing you both many many more years of wedded bliss.
Thank you, Karen!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
Thank you, Cara!
Congratulations to one of the best couples I’ve never met (LOL). Real love is hard to find, but when you do it’s a life changer. Enjoy New Orleans; it’s on my bucket list. Hugs and many blessings to both of you!
Thank you, Melissa!
Happy Anniversary! Any dinner in New Orleans is romantic, but try Commander’s Palace in the Garden District for a memorable, white-tablecloth romantic experience—just in case you’d like a suggestion. Brunch there is nice, too.
Thank you, Shanna!
Happy anniversary Claudia and Don!
Thank you, Carolyn Marie!
So blessed you found him; so blessed he found you. So blessed that you both were so smart to know this was your forever travel companion on the roads of life—both the bumpy ones dotted with potholes and the smooth newly paved ones; the ones upon which you became lost and yet managed to find your way home; the ones that twisted and turned and then straightened; the ones that took you up into the hills of delight and the ones you braved together as you were plunged into the valley of sadness; the roundabouts, avenues, rivers, seas, skies and paths . . . all of which led to that singular place of comfort, love and home you created in “The Cottage” and in each other’s hearts. The safest place. Together. Forever. Happy Anniversary!
Please excuse me for eavesdropping, Tina, but that was beautiful.
Tina, this is absolutely beautiful. So true, so lovely. Thank you, my dear friend. You and Noble have the same thing – I see it when I’m with you both.
Claudia, Happy Anniversary. When there’s a soul connection, it works. Blessings for many more years. xoxo, Susie
Thank you, Susie.
You are both so lucky to have found each other. Congratulations on 19 years. What a fun time you will have in New Orleans. Hugs to you both.
Thank you, Linda!
Happy Anniversary! Here’s to many more! :)
Thank you Laura!
Happy Anniversary!
I so enjoy your blog, keep writing.
Thank you, Deb!
Happy Anniversary Claudia and Don, and I raise a glass to many more!!
Thank you, Chris!
Happy anniversary, Claudia and Don!! Wishing you many more wonderful years of happiness!! Enjoy New Orleans!! ❤️🥂🍾
Thank you, Francine!
Such a lovely testament to love today Claudia. Happy Anniversary to you and your special guy. How blessed the two of you have been to share so many wonderful adventures along the way. My very best wishes to you and Don.
Thank you, Janie!
Best wishes! Although we have never met, you seem to be one of the nicest people around, Claudia; I hope you and Don have a wonderful time celebrating in New Orleans.
Thank you, Elle!
Congratulation! :-)
Thank you, Regula!
Happy Anniversary!
Thank you, Gina!
Happy 19th anniversary, Claudia and Don. Isn’t finding ones life companion wonderful! Have a fun romantic exciting celebration in New Orleans.
Thank you, Wendy!
Happy anniversary! Congratulations! Have a great time in New Orleans.
Thank you, Carol!
What a sweet lovely story about you two, Claudia.
You waited for the right one, and magic happened; it sounds to me.
I feel you two are very fortunate, and it is what dreams are made of.
What a happy time in this season of life for you both.. … It must be beautiful.
love, Katheryn
Thank you, Katheryn!
Congratulations on 19 years. You all don’t look a day older. xo Laura
Ha! Don’t I wish! Thank you, Laura!
Congratulations to the two people I admire so much!…You make me believe that true love can happen and happily ever after is not just in fairy tales…Hugs!
Thank you, Nancy!
Congratulations! And Happy, happy anniversary! I love how Louise Penny uses the old quote, “Now there will be no loneliness…” I, too, am so lucky in my husband, and I often think of that quote when I look up and catch his eye.
Enjoy your anniversary in New Orleans—I wish you beautiful weather, long, languid evenings for catching up, and a whiskey bread pudding souffle at Commander’s Palace to celebrate!
Peace and peace,
Leslie P.
I love that quote. Thank you, Leslie!
What a precious story and beautiful pair you are. You inspire many of us. Isn’t wonderful to count your blessings?
Happy day, happy life to both of you.
Thank you, Joan!
So lovely! Thanks for sharing your life with us.xo Annette in Ca.
Thank you, Annette!
Congratulations on year 19! Is there a traditional anniversary gift for that? I should know that – I had a part-time job as a bridal registry consultant for 5 years back in my 20s. Well, let’s create one then. How about we make the 19th anniversary – officially – the Vintage Stove anniversary!! And you two got yourselves a beauty! Have a wonderful celebration when you’re together again in “Naw-lins” – what a city for celebration. The Force has smiled upon you both for sure! Peace.
#Resist.
Thank you, Janet!
Happy Anniversary to you both! Wishing you many, many more years of happiness. My husband and I will celebrate 23 years of marriage on the 22nd of this month. Hoping you enjoy New Orleans together!
Thank you, Mo! And Happy Anniversary to you and your husband!
Thank you so much Claudia!
Happy Anniversary! I have always loved the quote ~ “A perfect marriage is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other.” I guess it sometimes is merely the equation of 2 times a negative will always equal a positive!!
Hope your day was good and that you had the chance to talk w/ Don at least once or twice!! ♡
Thank you, Chris!
Congratulations and thank you for sharing the story of your beautiful beginning as a couple. I too was surprised when I fell in love when I least expected it – 32 yrs married last August – to someone who has been an extraordinary life partner. Aren’t we the lucky ones?
We are! Thank you, Kay!
So wonderful that you and Don found each other! Happy 19th anniversary!
Thank you, Lily!
Congratulations on your anniversary. Wishing you and Don many more years of happiness,joy ,peace and blessings.
Marilyn
Thank you, Marilyn!
Congratulations.
Thank you, Edis!
Happy Anniversary to you both!! And here’s to many many more! ;)
Thank you, Donnamae!
A very Happy Anniversary to you both & many more!
xo Monica
Thank you, Monica!
Happy Anniversary to a special couple! I’m wishing you many more happy years ahead!
Thank you, Dottie!
Congrats and best wishes! Beautiful story, beautiful couple; beautiful life.
Thank you, Vicki!
Here’s to Happy Wedded Bliss of 19 years to both of you with many more to follow!
Looking forward to reading about your New Orleans adventures! Safe travels.
Best always …
Thank you so much!
Happy Anniversary! I missed this post yesterday, so I’m a day late.
Thank you, Linda!