December 28, 1972
A date I remember very well. It's my anniversary. I'm referring to my first marriage. 30 years ago today. He had joined the Navy in October and was just back from basic training. And would be shipping out again soon to Norfolk, VA, to the ship yard there, [Portsmouth, VA, actually] to get a ship ready to go out to the Middle East someplace. But back to that December 28th day.....we knew we would get married pretty soon; before he went back to VA, which would be in a few more weeks, I believe. So that morning, he called and asked if I wanted to get married that day. I had just turned 20 that year. I said, "Yes, let's." My father was at work, my mother in bed, since she worked the 11pm to 7 am shift. And off I rushed downtown to JCPenneys to buy something to get married in. I already had the blood test a week earlier that was good for 30 days, I think. So I go out to find something to wear. The only thing I could find was a black flowered suit---shirt and jacket, so what the hell? I bought it. Jamie was getting the license together, and I was to call a minister. I was going to get married! It wouldn't be a church wedding or even a proper home wedding, but I was so much in love with him. And we were young and a little scared of the trouble in the Middle East that he'd soon be a part of. Jamie got to my parents, the minister came, and I went to wake my mother to tell her I was getting married. Right then and now. She said, let me get some coffee and get dressed. And my sister comes shuffling in with her pajamas and robe on to witness this lovely event. We were going to take our vows in the family room, near the Christmas tree. The one that still had tons of wrapped liquor bottles under it from the holidays. Bottles that I'd opened, drank, refilled with water, or tea, and re-wrapped. That Christmas tree. Ah, memories....With an auspicious start like that, could I be surprised that the marriage only lasted four years?

Fast Forward: I'm on marriage #2 now. It has it's ups and downs. But when it's going well, I couldn't be happier. And #1 produced a terrific son who's now 28, John.