Going Back...and Moving Forward
Sunday, August 18, 2013 at 11:36AM 
It was March 2, 1962..Paramount Theater in Salem, Massachusetts. Back in the day when you had a ticket booth out front, live organ music on the stage, at least 3 cartoons and finally, the two main events...That's right, in 1962 you got two movies and you spent the day there...for .25 cents. My first date. I was barely 15 years old..We sat in the balcony. That's where you sat and most often it's where you first held hands and finally kissed...I don't know what the movies were that day, but I do know I was very excited with a lot of fear mixed in there..and no, on that date we did not kiss.
We walked home that night, not old enough to drive yet and I remember him walking about 4 paces in front of me...I was balancing myself walking on the curb stone. That night was the beginning of a 51 year journey with My Guy...today we celebrate 45 Years of Marriage. Now when we go to the movies, you only get one show..but that's o.k. for us. We are usually at the 4:30 showing anyways...
Life takes so many twists and turns and in 45 years we had our share of both good times and some not so good...great joy and huge sadness....we've been through "in sickness and in health"...and we spoken loving to each other more often than with anger but yes, that has been spoken also..We have built a wonderful life and family...sharing two kids, a boy and a girl, both offering us pride and joy and friendship. Jenna has given us two beautiful and loving Grandchildren which we see as God's gift for a humble and loving life. Most days I can't wait to get up and see what life will bring my way. Sometimes it's sunshine and light, some days it's clouds and rain..we get through all our days together.
I wish there was some magic fairy dust that I could bottle and pass around so every couple could have a long and loving relationship...but it's really not about magic. It's about commitment and hard work, maybe the hardest work we do as a couple is to every so often re-evaluate where we are at any given moment and what we want for our future...For Jim and I it has always been about family first and that continues to be our priorty to this day...there is nothing that we are more committed to than our family. Not always easy but always, always worth it.
When I look back over our years together and our life both as partners and as individuals, I now at my age, can claim a lot of wonderful treasures...not material treasure but life experience treasures...the kind you learn about along the way. The kind you can only recognize as you grow...up. As I look at these treasures I have learned there is one common thread that runs through each one of the "biggies" in our life. Every gift of great importance has come through hard work...Nothing of value comes for free or without some pain or struggle..knowing that when we got to the other side of the struggle, we were stronger for it and we appreciated it...Life in not a sprint..it's a marathon...you need the right person next to you to grow in love and faith and loyalty...Then you get the gifts...We are truly blessed in each other..it's been quite a journey.
I want to share a few of my favorite times with my Favorite Guy...I am amazed that from that tiny theater so many years ago, at not only how fast the time has gone by, but by how much we have to look forward to. Who knows where the road will lead...but I know who will be by my side...
My beautiful family...I love them so much...
At our Lake House in Maine...we have so much fun here and it is truly a piece of Heaven for relaxation
And sometimes we end up in the strangest places and that is where we really have the most fun...this is not your average taxi...Cusco Peru.
Then off to Macchu Pichu
On Top of the World....in Yosemite..
Riding off into the Sunset...Me and Him...not quite yet...so many more adventures on our bucket list..but on each adventure we tried to go horseback riding..it really is one of our greatest pleasures..
“Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” John Muir
“The world is big and I want to have a good look at it before it gets dark.”
― John Muir
2013, Cheryl, Jim | Share Article →
Reader Comments (15)
Just beautiful. So many wonderful adventures together. Happy Anniversary!
Thanks so much Sarah . It sure has been an adventure.
Your tale of your journey so far with your treasures makes my heart hurt with joy for you and your family that you love so much. Thanks for allowing us in to share your blessings. Onward with many more years of celebrating your lives together. :)
Ah Chris your comment is so lovely...time moves so fast...and in looking back I see how far we've come...thanks so much for your friendship and support..xoxo
You two were so obviously made for each other! Happy Anniversary, a bit belatedly Cheryl...I love seeing the early pics of you and then the many fun adventures you've been fortunate to have together. And what a beautiful family too. You have been blessed and you bless others in who you are...So happy for you.
Thanks Sherry for you visit and most lovely comment...some days he drives me nut but after so many years I've decided to let him stay....
Well, a very HAPPY Belated Anniversary to you both! I'm all goosebumpy reading this beautiful, heartfelt blog. I'm so happy to have met you both in person so have another wonderful insight into you as a couple. I'm only wishing I had snapped that pic at Goose Rocks when you were both sitting together on the wicker couch in the sunroom! Perhaps someone will catch it again in a few weeks! Sending you love and thanks for all the beauty you share in your words, images and honesty . . . you have a special knack for maintaining the balancing act which is a key to a happy and successful relationship. Love that you met so young. I still remember my first love from whom I was ripped away by my family. But I have a special man now, so I'm not complaining! Yes, we've all paid our dues in one way or another and somehow, growing in wisdom as we age isn't all that bad! Ever so much love to you both.
Congratulations on 45 years together!! I absolutely love your wedding picture - such a cool perspective!!
Thanks for sharing your precious memories Cheryl, aren't you adventurous ? Love the Yosemite shot We visited 3 years ago and loved it I just hope the fires out there at the moment can be contained
Family is the best legacy you can leave behind. Ha ha! I always knew you weren't a true blond, and thank God for that! I stole that photo of you and Jim on Yosemite, hope you don't mind :p - tough titty if you do. May you both enjoy many more adventures together. xo
I LOVE this post...what a precious story!
Oh Viv thanks for your visit and wonderful comment. I to, worry about those fires. Such beauty lost.
Now there's my girl Cowgirlingrightup and stealing photo's. thanks for riding over and leaving me this sweet comment. Yes, many more adventures. I'hlping for the stampede next year.
Denise it is so nice to see you here. I look back and wonder where the years went. Have a beautiful week.
This afternoon I'm looking through your Flickr stream and came upon the photo of the wedding aisle....now here I am on the blog. I do remember looking at it last year, only I didn't know you then, and didn't leave a comment. My anniversary is 8/12/67, so we may have a common date, but a year apart. I LOVE this post with your photos and story...such a romantic story too, and so sweet. Your family is just beautiful Cheryl. I always love coming by here to read about your life, and thoughts. xx