11/2/09 Shakespeare Garden Gazebo, Huntington GardensAbout my husband, my long-sought and happily-found partner in life:
I'm sure of his love and he's sure of mine. We trust and respect each other. We support each other's individuality, work and ideals. We have separate goals and mutual goals, and in the short time we've been together we've come a long way toward achieving them--together.
Sometimes I wish I'd met him sooner, but it wouldn't have worked. By my forties I was frustrated by the mate search and ready to give up. When I found John I realized why it had taken so long: I had to be prepared to handle all that certainty and trust. I had to be ready to support and be supported before I could marry the unusual, brilliant, generous, handsome man I'd pictured.
Plus, now my inner dork has someone to hang out with.
We'd been dating for about six months when we went to the Huntington for John's birthday. Neither of us had been there before. I'd say we fell in love then but that would be too tidy. No, we were already in love. The purchase that day of our dual membership was simply our first mutual financial transaction of import, an investment in arts and letters, and in ourselves. It was a declaration, in a way, of who we already were and wanted to become, together.
7/27/00 Shakespeare Garden Gazebo, Huntington Gardens
56 comments:
Happy Annualversary!, from man & womans best friend!
I'm Very Happy 4 you both.
I'm curious what was the 1st impression each had of the other when you 1st met?
Happy, happy anniversary, Petrea and John. This is a lovely post, and I hope John reads it.
I really miss my husband.
"Love sought is good, but given unsought, is better."
William Shakespeare
Mazal tov to you two lovebirds.
Your story warms my old heart.
Happy anniversary..Such a nice story.. wish you many many happy years together
Happy anniversary to you both ~ what a beautiful story! {And I love that your inner dork has company. :) }
Happy Anniversary and may you have many, many more!!! Congratulations!
Petra, I so identify with your posts. Me, too, in my 40s when I met a guy who really liked me. He esp. likes my inner dork. And I LOVE his! Thanks for sharing, and when we have our 4th anniversary, I will remember your post and think of Huntington Gardens. We usually celebrate by going to a Phoenix Suns basketball game. Dorks aren't all the same.
CONGRATULATION for happy anniversary
All my best wishes to you both on your anniversary! How wonderful that you found each other at the right time. I love the two photos; you look so absolutely comfortable in the current photo. Very cool to have the Huntington as a place to celebrate where it all began. Lovely!
Happy Anniversary! Sounds like you've found what everyone searches for.
Happy anniversary, J+P. I always thought you'd been married forever, you seem so comfortable and happy together. Will you be doing anything special to celebrate?
Happy anniversary! Ours was yesterday, and it made me realize how crazy we were to think it was going to work, and how lucky we are to still have each other after all these years. I wish you many more years together of the Huntington, beautiful photographs, walks and hikes, and great evenings with friends. Salud!
Yay J&P! That's so pretty you made me all misty-eyed.
Was that second photo really taken nine years ago? Why, you lovebirds haven't changed a bit. (And I see the crisp white shirt has been a long-time fave of John's.)
Beautiful!
I am so happy for you both.
Happy anniversary!
LL
Thank you, everyone! So many comments so early, what makes you click? The photo or the title?
Cafe, our first impression was to be impressed.
Bibi, how wonderful to see you today of all days. I'd miss John, too. Quick story: he's always chatty to old folks, and a little lady in a store once pulled me aside and said, "Treasure him, young lady." I do.
Lucio: good advice. I searched and searched. Once I gave up on that, I found.
Thank you Dina, Thanks Aysegul.
Shell, finally, a release for my dork madness!
Hi Christie! I hope you're doing well.
Hi Brenda: No, dorks are all different, I think. That's why we're dorks.
Hi Danial, thank you!
Katie, we decided to return to the Huntington for our anniversary next year, unless we go to Paris instead. (mmmmm...)
That's beautifully said, Keith. I don't know if it's what everyone searches for, but it's what I was searching for.
We went to the Huntington yesterday, Bellis, because they're closed today. Today will be a little more normal.
Happy anniversary, Loren! So many October/November anniversaries. Laurie from South Pas last week, my neighbor and you yesterday, us today. I think the magazines are missing it with the June wedding craze.
You, misty, Hiker? I'm honored.
Susan, my fashionable husband knows a good thing when he sees it.
Thank you, Lori Lynn.
Congratulations. What a lovely post.
A very happy Anniversary to you both and may there be many, many more to come.
When something is meant to be it just happens and it lasts through time and through all the little ups and downs, bumps and bruises that life tosses our way.
My own dear John and I will be celebrating our 40 year anniversary next month on the 21st, just a few short days before Christmas. Yes we've had our highs and our lows but there isn't anyone else in this entire world that I would rather have had them with.
I am singing "Happy Anniversary,"
And--November weddings are best!
A very happy anniversary to you, Petrea and John. A lovely story, and only the beginning. How wonderful that you found each other... and continue to revel and delight in each other. It is not often that people actually find their soul mates... You are truly blessed!
Aw, congrats you two! Have a great day celebrating.
Lovely!!! Happy Anniversary!
PS...November is the best month for anniversaries...ours was Monday!
Happy Anniversary to you both!
Je suis tres content pour vous :)
x
Wow. Just wow. You choked me up! Have some dorky fun celebrating!
Happy Anniversary!
This is wonderful, Petrea. Happy Anniversary. I love that you found each other late actually. Maybe I shouldn't give up then ;) You look great together xx
This is the most beautiful poem to your husband and your marriage, Petrea. You are blessed indeed, both of you. Happy Anniversary!
Petrea,
That is lovely. What a wonderful life you have! (and he's really cute, too)
Wonderful anniversary tribute - Congratulations!
We're breaking some kind of record for comments today. I'll have to do mushy posts every day if this keeps up.
I won't take up space and bore you by replying individually. We're blessed and we don't take it for granted. The only thing wrong with finding your partner later in life is there's less time to be together. But we do our best to pack in the happiness.
And yes, he's really cute.
Well, you are sitting in one of the Bard's many seats, living out one of his many pieces of wisdom, so I thought in only right that he should pop in and repeat a few words of it for all our benefits. Very best wishes to you both, my dears. x
Great love is worth waiting for! Congratulations.
Happy Anniversary to you both!
P, you seem more relaxed in the 2nd (2000) pic compared to the 2009 pic.
Wonderful post -- and happy anniversary -- and many more to come!
CP is right, you two grew even prettier.
Great testament to your love. Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary Petrea and John,
Your comments really made me tear up, P. I'm so happy that Randy and I have been able to be a part of your wonderful relationship.
I was just remembering how lovely your wedding was and how gorgeous you both looked --- and look!
Denise
Aww, Happy Anniversary to you both!
I just want everybody to know that I changed shirts between 2000 & 2009. Swear to god.
Happy anniversary, it makes all the difference in life to have found the right partner.It took me 3 trys, only when I had completely given up looking did the right one come along.
Ok, I'll say it again (tell me if your bored of me saying it!) You write so wonderfully. This is such a lovely post (don't tell anyone but my bottom lip had a little wobble!) Congratulations on your anniversary, I can tell you really found "the one".
Hi Glennis, welcome! I think it's giving up on the search that makes finding possible.
Thank you, Marley. I'm glad you like my writing. I write from my heart, then go back and cut out the unnecessary words.
Happy Anniversary, my friends. Belated as this is. No less sincere.
Hi Ibarionex. Thanks.
I'm late to the party too, but wonderful to read all the comments on top of this lovely, lovely post. I wish you health, happiness, and many more adventures.
I'm late to this party, P, but happy happy HAPPY anniversary.
I'm really late as well, but loved this post. I'm curious to know how you met!?
Congrats!
Thank you, ladies. Thursday Girl, how we met is one of the few things about which we disagree!
Congratulations is an understatement, but I'll issue mine anyway -:)
Finding that mutual love and respect is worth the wait. I'm happy for the two of you. You're both wearing it well in this photo. Wishing you many, many more years of joint growth!
Merci, Chuck! It's definitely worth it, as you say.
I marry my wife every day, by choice.
(clears throat)
Now, you people really ought to go back to your homes. It's late, we've all been here for days and there are other posts in this blog to read. Seriously, go on home, now, & tell your chosen ones (pets included) that you love them. P & I still have to sweep up and turn out the lights …
What? No, I want them to stay.
Oh … okay.
Y'all come back inside now!
(waits)
—'lo …?
(scowls)
Honey, I think they're gone. If we trot, we might catch up with 'em in your post about the drug store …
Post a Comment