When Two Become One: A 30 Year Milestone

April 27, 2015 marks our 30 year wedding anniversary. It doesn't seem possible that 30 years have already gone by-all so quickly.

  

How we met

I used to live in San Diego and while attending Grossmont College, I was thrilled that they actually had a dance department (dance is my first love, you know) and took as many dance classes as I could fit into my schedule. Once a year, I would perform in the college dance concert at the El Cajon Performing Arts Center. Which is where I met Mark. I would see him once a year for a week when we came in to the theater for rehearsals and then the performances. This went on for 5 years and in that fifth year, we went out on a date-which was a hiking date to the top of Mt. Laguna. Which wasn't really a hike, but more like a long walk up an asphalt road.

I really enjoyed spending time with Mark and I wasn't sure how long it would be before we got a chance to go out on another date (we were both moving targets and it seems that we still are), so when I called him up later to thank him and to let him know how much I enjoyed being with him, I asked him for another date. In the meantime, I had forgotten my brown bandana in his truck. He sent me a 'ransom' note in the mail:

The Proposal and Wedding

The dating continued and as we approached our one year hiking anniversary date, Mark, who has trouble keeping secrets, kept hinting around that he got something for me and that it might be 'bigger than a bread box'. I thought we'd go hiking to commemorate the one year anniversary, but instead, I was taken to a park in San Diego that is along Mission Bay. Instead of a hike, he proposed to me. The banner that was tied between the two trees said, "I'm bananas about you!". I think that was the most nervous I had ever seen him-was when he proposed.

A year later, my dad walked me down the aisle.

And two became one.

I love the fact that I was able to wear his mother's wedding dress-that meant so much more to me than buying something brand new and frilly. It's hard to believe that it's been 30 years. We've been through a lot together and I can say that there has never been a dull moment with this man.

Renewing our wedding vows at church

I couldn't have asked for a better person to be my husband (and being good looking too). He is someone I can lean on, faithful, strong, ethical and reliable. He works so hard and I keep saying that I don't know how he does it, but he does. I certainly could not keep the pace that he does. He is also the best father anyone could be to our son. We are all so blessed! God willing, I look forward to the day when can look each other in the eyes and wish each other a happy 50th anniversary!