A few days ago my wife and I celebrated our twentieth anniversary together, sixteen of which we’ve been married. It’s weird when you’re in the moment, focused on the events of each day how quickly time actually passes by.
During milestones like this I tend to pause and look back at exactly how much the world has changed around us in those twenty years. In some ways we’ve changed with it but in other, more important aspects, we’ve remained the same.
I remember my state of mind and where we were at in our lives when we were standing in the courthouse saying our vows to each other in front of the judge. We had so many dreams and aspirations with not much clue about how we would make them happen. By a whole lot of hard work and some miracles we were able to achieve much of what those younger versions of us dreamed of. Life has a funny way of opening up paths that you can’t quite anticipate.
Through the whole of this twenty years we’ve done our best to be there for each other through the ups and the downs. Here we are twenty years older, seemingly in the blink of an eye. Our hair is greying, we have more wrinkles. But in many ways we’re stronger and more sure of ourselves. Most importantly, we still have wishes and dreams to fulfill. I couldn’t be more grateful for the path we’ve walked together and the memories we’ve made this far.
Getting There
The hardwood floor project is progressing quite nicely. Last week the installation was completed with only a handful of hiccups.
Next week the finishing crew will begin sanding and staining the wood floors. I wasn’t prepared for just how much different this would make our living space—in a very good way.
I hope to write a few more books and lots more blog posts in this sunny office. After this I’ll even have a proper desk and chair. It's almost funny to admit that for the entire past year I’ve been writing every day on a laptop, sitting in a folding chair. I'm far from a fancy person and this has suited me just fine. Although that arrangement has worked out (I've published a book and close to a hundred blog posts and articles) I look forward to something a little more more permanent.
By this time next week we’ll be on the other side of this phase of the remodel and will be ready to move on to the kitchen-phase, which will be far less obtrusive than this project was.
Sunsets
These autumn sunsets in Minnesota continue to dazzle. I took this photo as I was doing my evening walk around the wetlands yesterday. As the chill of winter descends I’ll miss these walks. I don’t think much of this nature trail is groomed in the winter and we can have several feet of snow on the ground at any given time. Maybe it's time I bite the bullet and invest in a pair of skis.
All for now. Thanks for reading.
I don't see any wrinkles :)
The house looks beautiful, and the two of you look so peaceful. That's why I don't see any wrinkles :).
It's not a contest, but 52 years and counting here. You guys seem to have had a smooth road. Ours was so rocky at some points. But I think getting over the rockiness cemented us together more strongly. I wish for you another 32 (at least!) smooth years ahead.
Enjoy the house, enjoy life, and as the priest said to us at our wedding ceremony, enjoy each other.
Oh, the wrinkles are there (in my case anyway). : )
52 years! I don't know that we'll achieve that one but maybe! I think if you can find a way to get through the rough patches together it does make you closer as a couple.
Thank you! This week the floor's being sanded and stained and we're in a local hotel for most of the week. I'll be looking very forward to having everything done and being able to settle in for the winter.
🌷🌺🌷
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The difference twenty years makes is in the fidelity of the photography, among other things. You both look happy, and the house is coming along well.
Thank you! The time has gone so quickly!
Happy twentieth wedding anniversary to you both of you and loving wife. You already spent really joyful, difficult time together. I believe your wife really helpful for improvement both of your lives. Actually both parties plays big role for enhanced future life.
Thank you!
Congratulations for these 20 years.
As long as love, passion and desire remain strong, the years don't matter.
On the 29th of this month my wife and I will be 28 years old and it has been a challenging but beautiful journey.
Perhaps, in her new office and with the hardwood floor already finished she can treat herself to a book that talks about these 20 years and what it has meant to both of us.
Thank you for sharing.
Happy journey.
Cheers and best regards.
Thank you! Happy (nearly) 29 year anniversary to the both of you! It's not always easy but if you can find a way through the challenges it's worth it. The office will be for me to write in, mostly. It's a nice sunny room so I'm hoping to write at least a few more books in there.
Happy Anniversary !
Love the hardwood floors and that office space looks divine with all the big sunny windows.
Good luck on the kitchen !
Thank you! The sunlight in the room is my favorite part. It's sunniest in the wintertime since the sun is further south so it works out perfectly.
I appreciate it. Keeping track of these contractors has been somewhat challenging. I'd be afraid to see what would happen if we weren't stopping in every day to check on progress. We've found quite a few mistakes along the way.
Congratulations. 20 years is a real milestone.
Thank you!
Cheers to twenty years of love and togetherness! Your journey is a wonderful example of how perseverance and support can strengthen a relationship 😉
Much appreciated!
Congrats on the anniversary! We have one coming up soon too. It's crazy how quickly the time passes.
Thanks @bozz. Oh, you can say that again. It can be pretty scary sometimes. My wife just organized her 40th high school reunion and it was so strange hearing the stories of people retiring. It just doesn't seem possibly that we could be getting that old but I'll start collecting my pension from the insurance company next year!
Wow, that is crazy! I haven't been to a single one of my high school reunions. We don't really do anything that formal anyway. I think part of it has to do with that small town thing and most everyone is still in the same area in some form or another anyway.
It goes quickly! My 40th will be in 2029. I haven't been to any of my reunions either. I don't have much nostalgia for the school itself. Most of my good memories from those days were made outside of school. Thanks to social media I've stayed in touch with the people I was close with.
I was kind of the same way. I had other groups I was involved in outside of school and my friends list in Facebook has more of those people on it than people I probably went to school with.
Congratulations! Nice couple! :)
Thanks my friend!
Congratulations Eric, and now for the next 20:)
The wooden floors really look great and so much better than carpets, also easier to clean.
!BEER
Thanks! I hope the next 20 years don't go as quickly (but I know they will). I like wood floors better too. We'll be choosing the stain color tomorrow so that should be interesting. One option is just a clear satin topcoat and I'm leaning in that direction. I like the lighter color.
Our place has laminated wood flooring, but I would rather prefer solid wood flooring. The lighter colors are easier to clean, and you also have to think about an anti-stain sealant :)
!BEER
The laminated flooring is a pretty good product. It's very durable. Yes! We got a good water-based sealant with a UV coating to protect it. I'd probably be the one to spill coffee or wine on it. : )
Yes, I agree, but I am one of those that like to have the real thing. I won't do it here, as we will move again sometime. Glad that you have solid protection on the floor, and now you don't have to worry about your habit of spilling things on the floor :)
!BEER
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BEERKING.What a happy milestone! Congratulations to you both, and I wish you many, many more such milestones to celebrate! You both are looking fantastically happy, and your home is shaping up into a lovely castle! Huzzah!
Thanks! It's a long time considering this is the second marriage for the both of us!
Now this is beautiful, another reason why I need to marry right and trust the process. Thanks for sharing this. Congratulations to you guys and forever to go❤️
Thanks Tammy! I'd be sure to choose a partner who is kind and has a good sense of humor—in the end that's the most important thing.
Congratulations 👏🎉 on your wedding anniversary! Cheers to creating more beautiful memories together.
Those spaces are coming along nicely; good luck seeing it all through.
I appreciate it! We'll be so glad to have our house back at the end of this week!
Congratulations on the wedding anniversary! 🎉 To many more decades.
The wood floors turned out great. I love the light color you've chosen. It makes the rooms larger.
Thanks Krisz! This is just the natural maple, before staining. One option they're giving us is to just put a clear protective top coat on the natural wood and that would definitely be my preference.
Ah you both look fresh, young and I love, today as much as then. Congratulations.
The house is looking great. Very fresh and bright.
Thank you very much!
Congratulations! Two of the most humble and wonderful people I've met.
The house is coming along! I love the open-feel of the living room, it already looks cosy and inviting.
It's great to see your updates, keep on keeping on!
Thank you Michelle! It's so hard to believe it'll soon be ten years since we last saw you and your husband in Lisbon. I hope you're both doing well!
Congratulations on twenty years together and a sixteen year marriage anniversary!
Hardwoods look great!
Thanks!
Hitting milestones together through thick and thin is what makes us keep going together, congratulations to both of you.
Permanent space to work from looks great, will make a world of difference once you settled in.
Enjoy watching season change from gold, soon to be white, a tad envious of the dramatic seasons you enjoy in nature. Have a wonderful new week!
Thank you Joan! We're looking so forward to it all being done. The kitchen cabinet doors are being held up in customs from Canada (because of the tariff situation) so this is going to likely push the renovation beyond the end of November, which was our original goal. The new goal is a week or two before Christmas.
Frustrating waiting for everything to fall into place, I too wait till one section completed before starting the next. Hope it looks beautiful for Christmas.
Ohhh I just saw this. Happy (belated) anniversary <3 I love that you guys have the same eyes in the light - also, gorgeous couple. 20 years sounds hella impressive, snd the way you write about your relationship is hugely inspiring. Congrats (both on finding "the one" and finding in yourselves the strength and patience to work at keeping and growing the relationship).
Thank you @honeydue! We've been lucky. It's so important to find ways to grow together.
Congratulations, my friend. Being in a loving relationship for so many years is almost an achievement. Your wife has beautiful eyes, and you both are very handsome. There is a poem by Rafael Cadenas that says: "Hoy de tanto verte, te vi." And it precisely talks about how time is the only thing capable of allowing us to truly know a person. Without a doubt, love begins with passion, but it is maintained through loyalty, complicity, and support. A hug.
Thank you Nancy! What you say is so true! You can't truly love a person until you know them in all their facets and that takes time. Those who don't have the patience for that are missing out because without time the "love" that people talk about is merely passion. I hope you're having a great week!
#hive #posh
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