Ouch! 15 Year Anniversary ...

“Yes, she married me 15 years ago and the Good Lord only knows how she manages to put up with my antics. Weekends trekking out to places she can only imagine (she never goes with me), weird packages coming from UPS sometimes stressing our budget. My arguments that in the backpacking world as things get lighter it makes sense that they get more expensive... Lately it's been my kayak. My wrist watch alarm going off at 5 am EVERY MORNING so I can go running and the inevitable noise I make getting out the door in the morning (despite massive efforts on my part to stage clothes and shoes so I can be quiet).

Did I mention three kids and two dogs?

It must be love.

Anyway, I went shopping today and bought a really nice piece of Swarovski crystal (15 years is "crystal" so Google told me). Sure hope that's right. I have never done the "traditional" gift before but for the 15th I felt it appropriate. I am more than a little nervous because it's a little artsy and out of my area but she likes this sort of thing in general. I did a lot of research.



It's a pair of turtle doves, supposedly they symbolize togetherness, love and companionship.

I am not sure what to do in terms of the actual anniversary itself. I hate to make the usual "dinner and a movie" thing out of 15 years but my creativity has been dimmed by drinking too much iodine treated water or something.

I would make a nice dinner but dinner at home with the kids seems like a rather anti climatic way to spend the evening. I had wanted to throw a party with our friends. I still have not ruled that out but if I went that way I would ask her first.

Oh well, I just felt like telling someone and you jokers are the closest thing to a network of friends I have these days. I think I'll go have a drink now that I just came to this realization. ;)”

“blessings to you and your bride for 15 and 15 and 15.....”

“Congrats Jimmy san! Couples just don't seem to go the distance anymore and it's refreshing to hear it from you.
Try to find a cheap flight out of town for a weekend. Preferably somewhere you've never been. That is if you can find someone to watch the kids.
We've done that and had a party with friends. Both are fun.
Either way, my hat's off to you both.
OH yeah, blessings, blessings, blessings!
last edited: 6/26/06 9:28:23 PM”

“Congrats & enjoy”

“I like the Swarovski doves. Very sweet, thoughtful gift. Fifteen years is an accomplishment these days. Here's to 45 more!

I never get tired of going out to new restaurants w/o child and with my husband. Never done the away for a weekend w/o kid that we weren't on a trail, or a river or something. That's a novel idea.”

“Get a babysitter and take her out for the evening. Anytime away from THREE KIDS will be appreciated.

I just celebrated my 19th anniversary and we went out for sushi...NEVER AGAIN!! It was the worst meal of my life...and hers. Make sure to take your wife to a place that she will LIKE. ;)”

“Congrats jimmysan!”

“I am as clueless as you about theese things, but that chrystal sure looks sweet.”

“Congrats Jimmy San :)”

“If the flight out of town isn't possible or practical then find a bed and breakfast somewhere and spend a night or the weekend.”

“Track down the best man and the Maid of honor. Go out to dinner”

“For me, 15 years (last year) was the "goose down" anniversary - BowlderGal got me a nice 0° bag....”

“Congrats!”

“Flyguy has a cool idea.

Congrats!”

“Take her backpacking to your favorite backpacking location. Introducing her to such a lovely activity that both of you can share is a sure way to prolong the marriage.”

“Lots of great ideas (prosecutor, you are right on and I have to work on this). In the end we wound up just going out to dinner which is what she wanted to do. I guess our friends called earlier in the day and said they wanted to have a party for us some time after the 4th, which was touching. We would normally go get something to eat and then hang out in Borders or some book store for an hour or two. Man, talk about a hot date! Well, anyhow, we agreed on an Indian restaurant which is my favorite and had a fabulous meal.

I gave her the crystal birds and she cried when she opened it. I guess I had forgotten (had I?) that our wedding cake had cake topper with two doves on the top of it and that many years ago during a move it had broken. I remember her being very upset about it. Our wedding was "on the cheap" (Justice of the Peace and two friends basically) but we had a nice little private reception with a small cake and we got this "cake topper" that was not fancy but I guess she would have wanted to have as a family heirloom sort of thing. Well I remember her being really upset when it broke but I'll openly admit that I had forgotten about it. Clearly she had not but she pointed out that there could not have been a more perfect gift than this keepsake for the event... which was my intent. I have to wonder if subconsciously that was why I was so drawn to the doves. There were many other pieces I could have gotten, but I was for sure drawn to them. Well, I am sure luck had a large hand in it... which I'll accept without complaint.

Now the bummer. A huge storm front came in during dinner and between that and the drink I had with dinner I left the meal with a splitting headache. We wound up going home early. She was really gracious about it all. Apparently she had gotten me a gift as well but I was too ill to open it. I really was quite the hot date, I can tell you!

I am going to do the weekend away thing for sure, but this weekend is the 4th and it won't work out with all the family oriented plans we have. I am thinking Seattle right now.

Anyhow, thanks for all the suggestions! We had a great time but for us it doesn't take much for us to have a good evening. I guess we tend to just enjoy being together no matter what we are doing, which is a good place to be after 15 years.”