To a Happy and Happier Anniversary

Saturday was our 39th anniversary. Dave and I had a delightful ceremony in a Craftsman mansion at UBC on January 15, 1972. We were a new generation with new ideas: we had matching wedding rings instead of an engagement ring, we wrote our own vows and we stayed in Vancouver instead of escaping on a honeymoon.  We were the real deal.

We were so happy to be together. We moved into our apartment with nothing but a trunk of clothes and our wedding gifts. Dave got a job from my dad and a delivery truck from my brother. I walked into my tiny kitchen, put my avocado appliances away and taught myself to cook by reading the two recipe books I received as gifts. The second week I was married we had our first dinner guests. I made a complete Chinese meal and we ate on a tablecloth spread on the carpet because we had no table or chairs.

We have pastored a log cabin church by the ocean, rushed sick babies to the hospital in the middle of the night, prayed with the wealthy and poor, dined with the prime minister of Israel, had money arrive by supernatural means right when we needed it, renovated numerous houses on a shoestring, and loved each other through it all - some days more than others!

Now we live together in an English cottage, work together in an amazing school and serve together in the best church we know.  That's a lot of togetherness.  It's pretty good, but I think this year I'd like to do a little better.  I don't want to take for granted one of the best people I've ever met, but I also need to make sure I have enough down time to unwind.  I know I have more to give when I've had time to reset my mind and emotions.  (And exercise - another topic for another day)

So this is part of The 60 project:  to make sure I preserve my days off for unwinding, keeping my mind off work, doing what needs to be done combined with taking care of myself.  Last Thursday I went shopping with my daughter - all day (I know!), and today I read a book, answered my email, got a pedicure and a haircut and visited with a friend.  Occasionally I feel guilty, like I should be changing the world or laying down my life for somebody, but I just smack myself upside the head and that pretty much takes care of it. Try it!