Wednesday, June 5, 2013

21 Years of Traveling through Marriage

We'll be heading off to Paris soon. I remember the last time I was there. It was summer. I was young and in love but traveling with my parents while my boyfriend back in Texas was packing up to move to another city. Would the relationship last? I had no idea. I definitely had my doubts. It would be at least two more years before I would graduate from university and could contemplate joining him.

May 1990 —  I first visited Paris one month after this.

The friendship between this boy and myself started blossoming into something more the year beforehand when we started writing letters to each other while he was away on a summer internship. Yes, actual letters — on paper, in envelopes with stamps... the kind where you have to check your physical mailbox to see if the postman had left you something. I didn't realize at that time that we were at the end of an era. Do young folks smitten with each other still pen missives to give their romance an epistolary kick start?

Joyfully, our relationship survived the distance and the many trips back and forth to visit each other. Well, it was him driving to see me 99% of the time.

One of the things that really impressed me about this guy was his traveling childhood. Every summer, his family of  two parents and four boys would jet off somewhere to explore the world. Machu Picchu, The Forbidden City, the Coliseum, the Sydney Opera House, the Pyramids at Giza, and on and on... He'd been everywhere.

June 6, 1992 — Our wedding day


We were married twenty-one years ago on June 6. "D-Day" is usually the first comment I get when I tell people our anniversary date. From the reception, we headed directly to the airport for our honeymoon, our first vacation together. It was my first big trip without either my parents or a priest (high school church ski trip) accompanying me. I was married and felt so grown-up! We sailed out of Miami on a Caribbean cruise. He had many cruises under his belt, but this was my maiden (matron?) voyage. Afterwards, we spent a week at Disney World. Who needs kids to hang with the Mouse?


January 2008 
Disney World with kids almost 15 years after our honeymoon there
 


This summer, we're headed to Paris. My love will be by my side instead of an ocean away.

I'm such a different person than the young lass who visited there decades ago. My black hair is starting to show strands of gray. My mid-section is squishier. I'm no longer somewhat insecure in my relationship. It feels rock solid, unlike my abs. I've graduated from being the kid to being the mom — three times over, no less.



Hanson Bay, Kangaroo Island, Australia — January 2013
 

Happy 21st Anniversary to my much adored husband.

I am blessed to call you mine.



This post is part of Travel Photo Thursday on Budget Travelers Sandbox. Check it out for more around-the-world travel inspiration.

16 comments:

  1. what a lovely lovely story! Happy Anniversary. I wish you many more happy years together.
    Have a wonderful trip to Paris. I loved Paris when we visited for our 30th Anniversary in 2005 - and loved bit of it.
    Have a wonderful week and thank you for stopping by my blog today and for your ocmments.

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  2. Congrats and Happy Anniversary! Enjoyed learning more about you. :)

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  3. Congratulations. And have a wonderful holiday in Paris.
    I love this post!

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  4. Happy Anniversary wishes to you! Sonja made a good point; it is fun learning more about the people behind the blog. Too often I think about ITF (in the flesh) friends who know me when I write and forget about those out there in the blogosphere who might be a bit curious. . .you've given me a good idea here!

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  5. Fantastic! Love your writing style - I read every word. Paris with your man will be wonderful. Enjoy.

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  6. Awww...this is so sweet. Thanks for sharing your story, Michelle, and all those precious photos.
    Happy Anniversary to you and your husband! Wishing you more happy years ahead.
    Have a great time in Paris. Im sure you you'll have a wonderful and romantic time. Can't wait to hear about it.

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  7. Sweet post:)
    Happy anniversary and enjoy Paris (impossible not to, isn't it)

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  8. Happy anniversary - I wish you many more years of happiness together! And what a touching post! My husband and I started out in a long distance relationship as well, and though it was challenging, it's definitely been worth it! I hope you guys continue exploring the world together.

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  9. Happy anniversary - I wish you many more years of happiness together! And what a touching post! My husband and I started out in a long distance relationship as well, and though it was challenging, it's definitely been worth it! I hope you guys continue exploring the world together.

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  10. beautiful colours & composition...lovely!

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  11. Happy Anniversary Michele! Loved the photos and the words!

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  12. Hello Michele

    My name is Samuel Medley. I am a writer for the website Expat Go Malaysia and I send this email to inform you that your highly informative and entertaining blog has been featured in one of our articles, titled ‘5 Expat Blogs about Malaysia You Should Read’ http://www.expatgomalaysia.com/article/1209/5-expat-blogs-about-malaysia-you-should-read
    If the article is to your liking, please feel free to share the Expat Go link on your blog page, Facebook, or whatever other social media account you wish.
    Many thanks and regards, and best of luck with your future blogging endeavors.

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  13. Hello Michele! So nice stopping by to visit with you! I have just spent the past few minutes perusing many of your enjoyable posts and getting to know you a bit. Sweet (and interesting) place you have here :) So nice to meet you!

    Kindly, Lorraine

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