45 years ago today .. a short story

[NewHendoLib]

Last edited Sat Dec 6, 2025, 10:31 AM - Edit history (1)

My wife and I were just a pregnant nurse and a graduate student, living in Hanover NH and about to act on our rather impetuous decision. We were 23 and 24 years old, and for some crazy reason felt adult and responsible.

We woke, my wife realized she was missing a shoe and sent me off shopping. We eventually headed for Rollins Chapel to meet the justice of the peace, and a handful of our friends gathered. No family - they were not happy with our decision to not have the big wedding or choose the " right" religion. So we did it small, and did it for us

And here we are, comfy in our western NC home, careers done, grandson burbling away in a playpen, listening to Sleepy Hollow on WXPN. The pumpkin chocolate chip scone gone, coffee nearly so. Just an ordinary day, in a remarkable 45 years.

I am such a lucky person.

[Walleye]

1. Congratulations you are indeed lucky, and smart

[malaise]

2. Wonderful

Congrats

[marble falls]

3. A lot more of us are lucky, too, and just don't know it. Bless those who count their blessings and ...

... are grateful in all things!

[mwmisses4289]

4. What a lovely story to share.

Here's to many more years of contentment and happiness. 🍻🥂

[brer cat]

5. Congrats, and I hope you have many more years of happiness.

[3catwoman3]

6. A short but charming story.

May your story continue for many more years.

[ProfessorGAC]

7. Congrats!

We hit 45 years in 2025, too!
How did you celebrate?

[NewHendoLib]

8. Congrats to you!

Nothing extraordinary - going to visit the local farmers market soon, then nice dinner out tonight.

You?

[ProfessorGAC]

10. We Just Went To A Fancy Restaurant

Same one we've gone to the last 6 or 7 anniversaries (aside from 2020).

[druidity33]

9. And an abundance of Tomatoes!

Only the best people truly appreciate it when they have it good. 25 years for me and mine come March and i love her more every day.

[DFW]

11. Congratulations on achieving both longevity and simplicity

My wife and I are slightly ahead in longevity, but woefully behind in simplicity. Since we had been together for eight years before the official marriage, and we had a double wedding involving three nationalities and languages, simplicity eluded us. The wedding might as well have been the General Assembly of the United Nations, minus the (badly needed) interpreters.

The grandchildren are all bilingual in German and English, even though two live in New York and two live in Königstein/Taunus. The age of bubbling has passed, I fear. My wife retired from social work, as saving the world is a thankless and strenuous profession. At 73, I just celebrated 50 years at my job with no retirement in sight. I think the stress of being in a different country every day is easier to take than the stress of having nothing to do at all. Obviously, some see it the opposite way.

Pete Seeger once said (referring to music, but it holds true for other things): “Any damn fool can get complicated,” but it takes genius to achieve simplicity. Fools that my wife and I are, we managed the complicated part just fine. It’s the simplicity where we envy your genius. We haven’t figured that part out yet.

Well done!

[KS Toronado]

14. I agree, it's more stressful having nothing to do

.....

[ms liberty]

12. Aren't you in Western NC? You have NH in that sentence, prolly a typo?

And Happy Anniversary!

[NewHendoLib]

13. Fat thumbs! Good catch. Fixed!

[ms liberty]

17. Well, I'm about 2 hours east of you, north of Hickory, so I noticed when you changed locations!

[Clouds Passing]

15. You and your wife a so lucky 🍀💖

36 years here. Sipping warm coffee on a chilly morning with the snoozing pup nearby.

[HeartsCanHope]

16. Congratulations! May you have many, many more years together!