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Saturday, 06 December
21 Years
Andrea and I have been married for 21 years as of today! We have been an item for 24 years but 21 years ago today 6/12/1987 we were married! Time flies when you are having fun doesnt it, I sit back and wonder how 21 years could have slipped by so fast and without me knowing it? We have had a great time, made three incredibly wonderful children and lived life fully and honestly. It hasnt always been easy Andrea will tell you that and I may mention it here and there as well. Marriage is a lot of work most of it fun, happy and loving and some of it confronting, annoying and difficult and I am glad to say that Andrea and I have gone through it all and come out the other end loving each other as much as we did on the day of our marriage. I think our greatest acheivement in our marriage (apart from our children) is the fact that we have been open to growth which means we are open to change which means we listen which means we communicate - some times quietly and sometimes one must yell to be heard or even say nothing to be heard - we have done it all - continue to do it all - we are equal partners, lovers, friends, parents, individuals, husband and wife, we are a team, we are soul mates and we work bloody well together. I look forward to the next 21 years together. Neither of us know what will unfold over the journey ahead, we have hopes, dreams and plans and the idea is that we get to the next destination, still happy, still in love, still together. No doubt along the way voices will be raised, and fall silent, there will be laughter - lots of it, a challenge or two, some kisses and some hugs - it will be a magnificant journey. The secret to a successful marriage?? Love each other and truly support each other - respect each other and say I love you as often as you can and say thank you for being you as often as you can. Enjoy the moment. Andrea - thank you for being such a wonderful wife and partner over the last 21 years - heres to the future xoxo Note: comments on old entries are closed. Please comment only on the current entry. Comments Happy Anniversary Paul & Andrea! My hubby & I have you beat by one year. We were married in Nov of 1986. I always enjoy reading your posts but I've never commented until tonight. Paul, you and I are the same age, but my children are quite a bit younger than yours. My sons are 7 and 3. We had a few more years of "practice" I guess. LOL! I just wanted to say hi and tell you how much I liked reading here what you wrote about marriage. God's blessings to you & your family always! Karen Posted by: Karen Hamre on December 6, 2008 01:42 PMfrom IP: 208.53.226.228Dear Paul and Andrea, "Mazeltov" (Congratulations) on your anniversary! Keep practicing, and you'll easily reach the benchmarks of senior citizens, some of whom are in Love, patience, and "yes, dear" is the key! Shalom, Grandma Mil Posted by: GRANDMA MIL on December 6, 2008 06:57 PMfrom IP: 66.32.71.162ah, yes dear is the key, so that is the answer to a long and lasting marriage?? I will start to use that and see how it goes. I spoke to a friend of mine from a long time ago tonight - she gave me and Andrea a set of pewter goblets when we were married with inscriptions on them with the date etc and a pledge of married happily ever after. Every year Andrea and I have champange in these goblets to celebrate our anniversary - every year for the last 21 years - so I rang the lady who gave them to us and thanked her. Her life has not been a walk in the park - her son died a year or so ago ( I suspect a suicide but no one will tell but I know) but I wanted to thank her for the gift she gave Andrea snd I all those years ago. She cemented in us a moment where we drink from the goblets and remember where it all started - it is a precious reminder from where we have come and also a gift for where we are going. I rang her tonight to say thankyou. I havent spoken to her in years but it was like yesterday. Water under the bridge is just that but it negates the pain that is life - sadly that pain is not all that far away. Phyl and Brian thankyou for the love and support you gave all those years ago it will never be forgotten. Every year Andrea and I drink champagne from the goblets remembering our wedding, our friends, our history and you. Posted by: Paul on December 6, 2008 07:58 PMfrom IP: 211.28.150.55I know I said this in the previous post but..............HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! Here's to another 21 years! Love Clair. XX Posted by: Clair (from the UK) on December 6, 2008 09:42 PMfrom IP: 86.134.144.135Thank you for sharing yours and Andrea's secret to a lasting relationship. I was thinking about the part where you said communication includes listening, sometimes yelling to be heard or even being silent to be heard. You don't gloss over the real work of a marriage but see fully the joy in it too. So here's to another drink from the goblet, Paul and Andrea! Posted by: liz on December 6, 2008 09:59 PMfrom IP: 209.183.55.8Congratulations to you both, Andrea and Paul! It always fills me with awe to talk & listen to friends and couples on how they make their relationships work. Keep doing what you are doing as it works for you and that's what makes it special and unique. And perhaps I'm going to get my own goblet, more as a hopeful reminder that I deserve that kind of a partnership too. :) and then that second goblet can be bought when it happens. Congrats to you both! Posted by: Evelyn on December 7, 2008 07:54 AMfrom IP: 70.238.148.252So beautifully said, Paul. STO LAT to you both. (Wishing you and Andrea 100 years!!) Melody Posted by: Melody on December 8, 2008 06:49 AMfrom IP: 75.3.69.219Hello to everyone. Happy Anniversary Paul and Andrea! Hear! Hear! on some of the so called secrets to a good marriage. Isn't it absolutely baffling how at least 50% of all who enter into this partnership don't realize the simple but oh so complicated art of communication, when to let it go, when to speak and when to listen, how to be supportive, unselfishness, and all the rest of what it takes to be a good partner?? I myself tried to succeed at it twice and failed both times. It makes me so happy to see that some here are of the "other" 50%. I think I know now what it takes. Maybe someday I'll have another chance! :) I'm sure your relationship will give back it's ultimate gift, growing old together. What a comfort that must be. Millie, you and Ellie are the masters! Hope you are both well. I've got the seasonal spirit and my little home looks quite festive. I'm really enjoying it. Had friends over for dinner last night, and even my dear little 3 year old sweetheart had a great time. She didn't even make a dent in the house and by the time she left she was tucked in her jammies for the ride home. The 14 year old was a doll also. They are my family here and I am so lucky to have them. Mom is in Finland on a business trip, so it was Daddy and the kids over for Sunday dinner. They usually have me over to their house on Sundays, so it was my turn for sure. We watched the Water Horse. I loved it. Absolutely beautiful scenery filmed in Scotland. It was a fun adventure! Have a great week everyone and once again, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY PAUL AND ANDREA!! Posted by: MaryS on December 9, 2008 12:23 AMfrom IP: 67.190.130.217Happy Anniversary, Andrea and Paul!!! What an encouragement you both are to me (married 12 years). I love to hear a husband speak of his wife as you have always spoken of Andrea. You are both blessed (and very lucky too!). Posted by: Marian on December 9, 2008 04:21 AMfrom IP: 4.245.37.2Ooops, I'm late! Happy (belated) Anniversary, Paul and Andrea! :o) In my defense on the 6th I was wrapped up in my plans for that evening. I did have a wonderful time - not just that night but during my entire trip. I am now home safe and sound. Hopefully I'll be able to gather my thoughts soon to share. Posted by: Sarah on December 9, 2008 01:28 PMfrom IP: 4.248.36.150Happy Anniversary! My husband and I were married on December 6, 1980, so we just celebrated our 28th anniversary. We are new empty nesters and are enjoying each other more and more. We love our kids, but a marriage partner is different. It's so great to hear of happily married couples. Congratulations! Posted by: Becky on December 10, 2008 10:07 PMfrom IP: 75.219.47.113Happy Anniversary to Paul and Andrea may the next 21 years be even better! all the best, Julie Posted by: Julie on December 11, 2008 11:22 PMfrom IP: 74.173.209.65Thanks all for your wonderful comments. And congrats Becky on your anniversary. Empty nesters hey? I dread the day so does Andrea but we know that is the natural way of things. Posted by: Paul on December 13, 2008 06:31 AMfrom IP: 211.28.150.55Happy Anniversary, Paul and Andrea; Hope you had good time celebrating your anniversary! Paul, is this really true? The news states you are returning to DWTS?! Congratulations!!! see link PCs this is breaking news. Posted by: Liz on December 14, 2008 04:47 AMfrom IP: 24.22.75.68Happy Anniversary, Paul and Andrea; Hope you had good time celebrating your anniversary! Paul, is this really true? The news states you are returning to DWTS?! Congratulations!!! see link PCs this is breaking news. Posted by: Liz on December 14, 2008 04:47 AMfrom IP: 24.22.75.68Here's another article re DWTS 2009 with Paul returning as stated: http://www.stuff.co.nz/4792671a1860.html I am so happy for you! Oh Wow. Would you not be sharing this news with us Paul? Or is Liz finding out before you even know? LOL. Liz is a "scoop queen"!! :) I love it. I know I'll never miss anything as long as Liz is with us. Yay! Please let us know, even though we here in the U.S. can't see it. We would still be so thrilled! Posted by: MaryS on December 14, 2008 01:29 PMfrom IP: 67.190.130.217NOTE: Comments are moderated. You must enter a valid email address--it will not be displayed on the page. Your comment may take a while to show up on the page. Thanks for your patience. Comments on old entries are closed. Please only comment on the current entry. |
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