The Sparkle of Silver

On August 5, 1989, I rolled over in my sleep a little after 6 am and was started awake to find Billy's smiling face staring down at me!  If I hadn't been so miffed at the whole "can't-see-the-bride-before-the-wedding-thing" I might have freaked out a little.  But I've shared that story before - his aunt and uncle had arrived the day before bearing gifts and he just KNEW I'd want to open them right away!

25 years ago, today.

Hardly even seems possible.

I have a hard time even believing I'm old enough to have been married 25 years.  But I am.  I woke up two years ago and realized I'd been married half my life.  Billy will get that honor in October.

I thought the other day about the old story when the man stands up at his anniversary party and toasts his wife on a wonderful 23 years.  A guest leans in and says "but you've been married 25 years" and the man responds "and your point is?".

I'd be a fool to sit here and say that all 9,125 days we've been together were all rainbows and bluebirds.   You'd be a bigger fool to believe it.  Life is hard and marriage is harder.

But oh so worth it!  I am incredibly proud today of reaching this milestone.  This Silver Anniversary.

There is no one that I'd rather wake up and see every morning or kiss goodnight every night.  I can't even envision a world for me without him in it.  He has stood beside me through thick and thin - both literally and figuratively.  He has comforted me in times of loss.  Supported me in times of trouble. Loved me though good days, and bad. I believe I have done the same for him.   We are, after all, Team Tanksley.

Life isn't always perfect.  I asked him the other day if he'd ever regretted marrying me.  He grinned and said "only when I'm mad at you."  Daddy always said if a couple didn't fuss every once in a while then one side wasn't holding up their end of the deal.  But we've always come out on the other side, stronger.

Life is an adventure!  And every adventure is made better with a buddy,  a partner.   And yes, especially a soulmate.   We've gone places and done things that might not have happened otherwise.  We follow each others dreams. We are truly sharing our lives.

I've told the story before of how we met so I won't go down that road again, but I've always, in my heart of hearts, known that Billy Lee Tanksley, Jr. was the man with whom God had chosen for me to spend my life.  I think that is way we've worked so hard through the tough times and celebrated the good - we know we belong together.

We've come a long way in 25 years - and since we barely dated a year before the wedding that is really almost all it is - and we still have miles to go before we sleep.  Every day is a new day.  A new chance to change.  A new opportunity for growth.  A new window on the world, open for all it can be.

In all that I do, the only time I'm truly happy is when we're together.  Watching an old movie, surrounded with puppies.  Quietly enjoying each other's company.  And yes, I have told him that.  I say it almost once a week, if not more.

So, thank you, Billy.  For everything.  For being my rock, my life, my love, my everything.  May I spend at least the next 25 years at your side.

We've come a long way, baby!