35th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

I met my husband when I was 16 years old, through a friend. I was sitting at home one night when I got a phone call. Mary was asking me over to play cards as she had a bunch of guys over and needed some girls. I didn't live far so I agreed to go. That night I met Val, my future husband, and I didn't really like him. All he was doing was bragging about the big drunk he had been on. I thought he was a young punk that got a hold of some alcohol and thought he was a big man. Later I found out he had just turned 21 and it was his first big drinking episode.

As a group we went midnight bowling a few times and one night we had a party at my house. I had this old badge on that I had been wearing. It said "Kiss me you Fool." I didn't think anything of it. All of a sudden Val and this other guy had me cornered and the next thing I knew Val was kissing me. I was shocked and confused. Suddenly it dawned on me what had happened and I went running upstairs yelling "Oh no." I was so embarrassed. I didn't want to rejoin the party as I thought that they would think that I was wearing the badge on purpose. (Of course they all do to this day). I finally had to lay down my pride and rejoin the party.

Some time later, I ended up asking Val if he would take me to our prom as I didn't have an escort. He quickly agreed and we sort of became a couple from then after. A few months later we began going steady and he gave me his ring.

I was out of school by then and got my first job in the city. On the weekends I would go to the beach (so I could see Val) and got a part time job there. We spent most days together and after work at night he would pick me up and we would drive around and talk. Come September, we saw each other nearly every night or would talk on the phone. The following April we were engaged and the following March, we were married.

Val was/is a very good looking man with a great body. He used to visit me in 3 piece suits and drove his dad's fancy "Parklane" car. He was always bringing me little gifts and would treat me like a princess. (Little did I know at the time that the gifts were from the crane machines at the beach) We used to talk and talk and he seemed to care about what I had to say. He always treated me very lady like and he was a gentleman at all times.

How quickly things change. You never really know a person till you marry them. Val is still good looking and still has a fairly good body but the rest is all history. The last time I saw him in a suit was for someone's funeral. Gifts are for birthdays and Christmas, although he does buy me the odd snack as a gift every once in awhile.(then complains about my gaining weight) Talking is replaced by the t.v. and then during commercials I can say a word or two - IF the commercial isn't overly interesting. Now the lady like treatment is down to "Hey lady, get me a drink while your up."

I can't really complain. Over the years he's been VERY good to me. We've had some major ups and downs and yet he has stood by me. As far as I know, he has always been faithful to me. He doesn't physically or mentally abuse me. He loves his daughters and has been a good father to them. We agreed when the kids came that I would be a stay at home mom and for all these years I have been, while he continued to work and support our family.

There was a time when I thought I really didn't love Val. I think I married him out of fear of being an "Old Maid". It doesn't matter now as I have grown to love him over the years. He is the boy of my youth, my companion in old age. He is my stability, my stronghold. He is my little irritations, my worry, my concern and yet he is my calm, my comfort, my steadfastness.

He is my husband and I am his wife. Bone of his bone, flesh of his flesh. Not made from the bone of his head to be above him, or from the bones of his feet to be below him, but from the bone in his side to walk along side of him. To be cradled in his arms. To be one with him till death do us part.

We’ve come a long way Val. Happy 35th Wedding Anniversary to you. I love you.