Today is the Anniversary of the Day I Met My Husband

Today is the anniversary of the day that I met my husband.  It was at a party – of course – and he was the crazy guy that the girls in the dorm had been talking about for weeks.  For some reason, I was the only one who hadn’t met him and his reputation piqued my curiosity. I had no plans to pursue him, though. He was a senior; I was a sophomore; and he was dating a senior who lived down the hall from me. But on that warm night in May – classes were over and exams were the following week – we were ready for a night on the town. The party room was packed. My friends and I walked in and from across the room, this guy made his way over to us. 

“Di, this is Crazy Don!” 

“Hey, Crazy Don.  Nice to meet you.” 

“Hi!  You want to dance?” 

“Sure!” 

That brief first conversation was the start of 27 years of conversation. It seems like yesterday.

In the beginning of our relationship, spring was always a kind of re-start for us. It always began the same way. One of us, while we were driving or walking or cycling together, would look around and declare that we loved the color of the leaves in the spring – such a pretty yellow-green! Then we’d go home and announce that we should go camping. We’d dig out our gear, pack up the backpacks, and when Friday came, head out for a romantic adventure. Unfortunately, between that early spring day and the weekend, the temperature always seemed to drop 30 degrees. Believe me when I tell you that there is nothing romantic or adventurous about being huddled in a pup tent on an isolated Hog Island beach wearing 18 layers of clothing and knowing that it was 15 hours before the next ferry! We were slow learners, though. I remember freezing several times on that beach before we figured out that Caribbean beaches are more of a sure thing!

Even though Don has been gone for almost 10 years, he still shows up in little ways.  Today I was walking outside behind my home and I found myself thinking about how much I love the color of the leaves in the spring – such a pretty yellow-green.  I couldn’t help but smile and remember all the other times I had either spoken or heard those exact same words.  I stopped short of camping thoughts though.  Maybe instead I’ll put away the electric blanket in celebration. Happy spring!