34 YEARS

Their love story isn't typical:
Boy flies for United
Girl serves on TWA
Girl dates Boy's roommate, meets other Boy.
Girl stops dating Boy's roommate, dates Boy instead. For 6 years.
Girl thinks it's worth it and follows Boy to LA from NYC.
Boy wants to get married in 1976 for the United States' bicentennial.
Girl, thinking he's a slight history nerd, opts for something sooner. After dating for 6 years.
After walking out of the court house with the marriage license, Boy asks Girl if she'd like to get married. (Boy has impeccable timing and is suave. And has no ring to offer.)
Girl plans wedding in 2 weeks and walks down the aisle in a blue silk dress. On Nov. 14, 1975.
6 years dating, 7 years married and then comes the baby in the baby carriage: Katie.
21 months later, the second baby in the baby carriage: me.

No, their love story isn't exactly typical, but it's LOVE. Dad loves (or endures) my Mom's moving of furniture every so often. Mom loves (or endures) my Dad's endless piles of mail. Whenever they had a disagreement, I'd ask Mom if they would be staying together as so many of my friends' parents had called it Quits. Her reply? "I don't have time to break in another one sweetie!" And whenever Dad came home from his turn-around-flights to Hawaii with a lai for each of his girls, I'd ask if he'd had an affair with a hula lady to get them. His reply? "Never!"

They're so different: Dad's reserve and quiet demeanor broken only by his quick witty comments. Mom's strongly spoken opinions broken only by a quick hug here or there. I've noticed them change and meld (or melt) into each other the past couple years as Mom's opinions are still strong, but the hugs more at-the-ready. And Dad's _______. . . well maybe Dad hasn't changed so much. . . A wise woman reminded me that the definition of the word "wife" comes from the word meaning "to adapt".

Though Mom is certainly not the adapting type, she has in small ways that she won't admit to. She tolerated the 10 day flights to East Asia that Dad took with United to provide well for us. She worked for TWA for 33 years but still taught us to read by tape recording her voice with our American Girl doll books. We followed along and fell asleep to her voice while holding the book in bed.

(feeding me yogurt on the go!)

She has adapted her life for the past two years to care for her parents. She works with the candle light and wakes early. She provided clothes and yummy meals for her daughters even if she was flying. She set about her tasks with strong arms and confidence. She has considered a field (or in 20th century terms, a house) and bought it. Her community service is through my former Girl Scout troop. She made comforter coverings for our beds and bed skirts. "She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:


29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."
She is the Proverbs 31 Woman to me in so many ways.


(taken at Katie's wedding courtesy of her wedding photographer)


Happy Belated Anniversary Mom and Dad! Moving Grandma to California on your anniversary this year is yet another example of sacrificial love. Thank you for providing for us so well in so many more ways than one-just by sticking together and loving each other.