40th Wedding Anniversaries for PS'rs

[december-fire]

As usual, one PS thread lead me to another, and I found myself reading some threads from a few years ago in which some of you mentioned being married 34 or 35 years.

Being a number-loving person, I realized that means a few 40th Wedding Anniversaries were just celebrated (e.g., Dec 2016) or will be celebrated within the next few months (e.g., May 2017).

I won't mention names (you can self-identify, if you wish), but I want to say congratulations!

I love reading about, or thinking about, marriages that last decades. Happily married, of course.

Congratulations! Wishing you many more years of love, laughter and adventure!

 

[AGBF]

Well...I'm one of the people who will be celebrating a 40th this year and I remember discussing 1977 with some other posters (whom I will not name). My marriage is probably the most problematic marriage of all the ones being celebrated, and we probably will not be having a big celebration with a cake and lots of guests...but we are still married.

I live in Connecticut now with my gravely ill 96 year-old father and my mentally ill 24 year-old daughter (and my father's live-in aid). I do see my husband several times a year and speak to him almost every day on the phone, however. We are not legally separated, but we are not really romantically together, either. Nonetheless, he came to Connecticut for my father's 96th birthday party in October, 2016 and for Thanksgiving, 2016. I kept two of my doctors from when I lived in Virginia with him and our daughter, so I come down and stay with him in our house when I see my doctors. So I have been with him since Wednesday and I leave tomorrow (Saturday). We have been eating Thai food; watching "Are You Being Served" and old Arnold Schwarzenegger movies on videotape and cuddling. I think if we had not had the burden of our daughter's illness we wouldn't have ended up like this. We had problems before she broke down, but when she broke down, he could not cope. Which I think is true of many men. Sorry if I made the thread veer off track, but with 40 years to talk about things gets real at times. We've also been through the death of three of four of our parents; two hearts attacks (both his); his being laid off from jobs; and many other things. But we still, do, love each other. At least (to paraphrase "Fiddler on the Roof") we love each other if going to Walmart together-which we are doing today-means anything.

Deb

 

[december-fire]

Deb,

No need to apologize. You're being open and honest. You and your DH have had very serious and stressful events with which to deal during the course of your marriage. We're all human and cope with stress in different ways. I'm aware of marriages that ended following the death of a child; I don't interpret that as a comment on the strength of those marriages, just incompatible ways that each parent dealt with the loss. Life can be wonderful and amazing at times, and stressful and heartbreaking at other times.

Eating Thai food, watching movies and cuddling sounds wonderful. You and your DH may not be under the same roof due to circumstances, but it sounds as though you share a connection. Some couples living together under the same roof don't have that connection. As you said, you love each other.

Have fun at WalMart together!

 

[the_mother_thing]

Happy anniversary Deb! It's not up to anyone to define or judge your marriage and all that 40 years brings (which isn't always bouquets of roses and diamonds). I respect that it's yours, and deserves praise for sticking together in a way that works for you both.

 

[lyra]

We are on our 34th this year, and while I'd love to look forward to the 40th being Ruby, I'm pretty sure my husband has it set in HIS head that 40th = Sailboat. I am fine with this. Edited to add: Congratulations to everyone celebrating their 40th this year!

 

[katharath]

Deb, sincere congrats on your upcoming 40 years!! I think it's very admirable that you've been there for each other through so much.

We just celebrated our 17th in December, so we've got a ways to go - but I hope to get there! Both of my sets of grandparents made it to 50 yrs; my parents are at 37.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Well, I am one of them, too, as much as I hate saying it because it makes me sound so old! We got married young!!! I do have a (small) ruby on my wishlist for this year as it is also my husband's birthstone. There are a few others that I can think of off hand, but I won't name them, either.

Deb, we know there is great strain on family relationships when a child has a disability, illness, or both. But it makes me happy to hear of your present circumstances with your husband. It would be a major act of love for my husband to go to Walmart with me as much as he hates shopping! lol! Maybe someday! haha! (As long as he lets me buy jewelry, I'll keep him!)

Thanks, december-fire!

 

[ruby59]

My husband and I were married in 1981. So for us it will be 36 years in August.

He did not always have a clue, but he always had my back.

 

[lovedogs]

December-Fire, you are always so sweet. No where near 40 years (just celebrated 4 in June!) but wanted to say congrats to all of you who are there.

Deb: I really appreciate your candor, and it's incredibly sweet that you two have been there for each other through all of the difficulties you've endured. A mentally ill child is something that drives many marriages apart, and the strain is incredibly difficult. I hope you enjoy your time together!

 

[AGBF]

Congratulations to those of you who have been married happily for such substantial lengths of time: katharath, and especially ruby, lyra, and diamondseeker. Congrats on that 40th, ds! And thank you all for your kind words to me about my marriage, .

Deb

 

[Ann]

1-7-77 for us!!

 

[december-fire]

My husband and I were married in 1981. So for us it will be 36 years in August.

He did not always have a clue, but he always had my back.

Ruby59, I love this!


diamondseeker2006, You're one of the people I had in mind when I started the thread. Happy Anniversary!

December-Fire, you are always so sweet. No where near 40 years (just celebrated 4 in June!) but wanted to say congrats to all of you who are there.

lovedogs, Oh, that's so nice of you to say! Congratulations on your 4th! You'll be celebrating 5 years soon. My DD and SIL will celebrate their 5th Anniversary next month.

1-7-77 for us!!

Ann, Congratulations!

Wow! There are quite a few people here who have been married a long time. And there's someone else I'm aware of who will celebrate her 40th Anniversary this year. Maybe she'll stop by if she sees this thread.

 

[diamondseeker2006]

1-7-77 for us!!

I remember you! It's been a long time! We got married less than two weeks apart!

 

[AprilBaby]

Happy anniversary to all! I have three more to go.

 

[Missy]

Awww Happy Anniversary to all!!!
Wishing you health, happiness, bling and many more decades of wedded bliss!

 

[Queenie60]

Congratulations ladies!! Such an accomplishment.

 

[telephone89]

Wow 40 years! Congrats to everyone that made it that far! We are at 11, still a ways to go.

There's something really heartwarming about being WITH your SO longer than you've been without them.

 

[MissGotRocks]

It is my 40th this year in May and I just got my 40th anniversary gift in the form of an ACA diamond! It is truly hard to believe in some ways that it has been 40 years and yet when I reminisce about all the stages and phases, I realize that it is possible. I have a son that will be 37 this year and a daughter that will be 33 and yet I don't think of them being that age either. They are just my kids to me!

Congrats to all of you celebrating 40 years this year as well! May you live well and prosper!

 

[MissGotRocks]

1-7-77 for us!!

I remember you! It's been a long time! We got married less than two weeks apart!

I remember Ann as well! So good to hear from you again!

 

[luv2sparkle]

Congratulations Deb! It is a milestone regardless of how you get there! Congratulations Diamondseeker and missgotrocks too!

We were married July , 12, 1980- We were just 20 years old, and couldn't even have champagne! I didn't know that it was a ruby stone. I love rubies and that will be a good excuse to buy a nice one. I need to start prepping my DH! I'm thinking it is kind of like a golden birthday for us-we got married in July and DH has a July birthday. Score for me!

 

[AGBF]

1-7-77 for us!!

Congratulations on your 40th, Ann.

Congratulations to you, too, MissGotRocks.

Congratulations, also, to those of you who are so close (AprilBaby, luv2sparkle). Being married for almost 40 years is an accomplishment, too!

Another person I was thinking of, perhaps erroneously, when I thought of 40 years was Sundial. Does anyone else remember if she was married in 1977? I thought I remembered that she was.

Deb

 

[diamondseeker2006]

Deb, Sundial was one of the ones who married within a year of several of us! I hope she sees this! And I hope Ann comes back.

MGR, I knew you were one of the group, too! Congrats on your fabulous Whiteflash anniversary ring! I should count my antique asscher ring as mine, but I really want ruby, so I am counting the asscher for all the holidays for the past couple of years! Sometimes I get things early, and sometimes late. Rarely do I ever get the gift on the actual day!

 

[december-fire]

It is my 40th this year in May and I just got my 40th anniversary gift in the form of an ACA diamond! It is truly hard to believe in some ways that it has been 40 years and yet when I reminisce about all the stages and phases, I realize that it is possible. I have a son that will be 37 this year and a daughter that will be 33 and yet I don't think of them being that age either. They are just my kids to me!

Congrats to all of you celebrating 40 years this year as well! May you live well and prosper!

MissGotRocks,

You're the reason this thread exists! I saw your gorgeous ACA in your SMTB thread and was curious about the size of the side stones (love the proportion of them to the center size) so went searching through your older threads. I came across the size of the side stones (.33 each, for those interested) and a comment you made about the number of years married.

Congratulations on your upcoming 40th Wedding Anniversary!

And ... Congratulations on your beautiful ring being selected as Jewel of the Week!

 

[WinkHPD]

Missy,

I love your Calvin and Hobbs cartoon. I remember those days all too well.

Resa and I will be married 44 years in August.

Wink

 

[AGBF]

Missy,

I love your Calvin and Hobbs cartoon. I remember those days all too well.

Resa and I will be married 44 years in August.

Wink

Congratulations, Wink. When I saw your name come up in this thread, I thought, "Wait! Isn't he celebrating his 50th anniversary about now?"

Big hugs,
Deb

 

[AGBF]

Deb, Sundial was one of the ones who married within a year of several of us! I hope she sees this! And I hope Ann comes back.

MGR, I knew you were one of the group, too! Congrats on your fabulous Whiteflash anniversary ring! I should count my antique asscher ring as mine, but I really want ruby, so I am counting the asscher for all the holidays for the past couple of years! Sometimes I get things early, and sometimes late. Rarely do I ever get the gift on the actual day!

Thank you, ds! I am glad I wasn't hallucinating.

I really look forward to hearing about the ruby you get. Rubies are my ideal, although red spinels seem to be my reality.

Deb

 

[Missy]

Missy,

I love your Calvin and Hobbs cartoon. I remember those days all too well.

Resa and I will be married 44 years in August.

Wink

Congratulations, Wink. When I saw your name come up in this thread, I thought, "Wait! Isn't he celebrating his 50th anniversary about now?"

Big hugs,
Deb

Thanks Wink and Happy Anniversary to you and Resa!

 

[MissGotRocks]

Deb, Sundial was one of the ones who married within a year of several of us! I hope she sees this! And I hope Ann comes back.

MGR, I knew you were one of the group, too! Congrats on your fabulous Whiteflash anniversary ring! I should count my antique asscher ring as mine, but I really want ruby, so I am counting the asscher for all the holidays for the past couple of years! Sometimes I get things early, and sometimes late. Rarely do I ever get the gift on the actual day!

Thank you, ds! I am glad I wasn't hallucinating.

I really look forward to hearing about the ruby you get. Rubies are my ideal, although red spinels seem to be my reality.

Deb

Thanks DS! This upgrade worked out beautifully and I couldn't have asked for a better anniversary gift. It was part of the plan although it might have come last year or this year - timing didn't really matter. Congrats to you on 40 years and to all the others celebrating!

Wink, congrats on 50 years! That is quite a milestone!

 

[WinkHPD]

Missy,

I love your Calvin and Hobbs cartoon. I remember those days all too well.

Resa and I will be married 44 years in August.

Wink

Congratulations, Wink. When I saw your name come up in this thread, I thought, "Wait! Isn't he celebrating his 50th anniversary about now?"

Big hugs,
Deb

Big hugs to you also! I did not get married in time for it to be 50 yet. I was in Vietnam and then Brasil when I was in the Marines. The girl I thought I would marry Dear Johned me while I was in 'Nam, and I met the wonderful lady of my dreams some years later while I was in Brasil. It turns out I had to go to Brasil to meet my lady from Kansas.

However, in another six years, you can have that thought correctly.

Wink

 

[WinkHPD]

Thanks MissGotRocks. It is only 44 coming up, but I expect to celebrate 50 in only 6 more years.

Wink