How Do You Write a Post About 38 Years of Marriage?

You can't, but I will try.

This week, 38 years ago, my husband Mike and I got married. I was only 19 and he was 21. We were barely adults and I was still a teenager!

Being married so young, we had very little money. During our first two years of marriage we lived in a tiny, old apartment on the edge of a not so great part of town. One of our kitchen chairs was half broken but we used it anyway. We had cockroaches and ants a few times as well. With all of this, we thought our first home was paradise.

Now and then (one of our first dates).

Two years into our marriage, Mike became employed by the US Postal Service and we were able to move to a bigger and nicer apartment in a better part of town. The pay was good, but work condition were much less than. He kept working and provided for us. We both did.

In 2024, Mike took early retirement at 57 and is working part-time driving a school van. He also is my business partner in our pet sitting business. Even though, working together as a couple has it's “adjustments”, it's also been rewarding.

Why take a serious photo? Life is too serious as it is.

The past few years have had some challenges to be honest. We are both struggling with chronic health conditions and navigating them. There is nothing more romantic than watching Netflix and sharing ice packs and heating pads. Truly there isn’t, especially after a long day.

Mike found his way back to writing too and we published our poetry book last year.

We are also not the same people as we were 30, 20 or even 5 years ago. As humans we evolve. Sometimes one of us is at one place in growth the other is somewhere else. We can still choose to walk besides each other every day. There is so much beauty falling in love with each other over and over again. It's a love that deepens more each time.

Remember there are and will be challenges in any relationship. Don't forget there are happy moments too and take time to dance in the rain. If you look throughout your days there are so many beautiful moments to find.

Celebrating all of life’s seasons together.

Celebrating my birthday with my two favorite men!

Mike and I with our son, Evan back in 2015.

This summer at the beach. With our challenges, and my knee braces, we made it!

With Mike's shoulder surgery earlier this year and my impending knee replacements, (due to meniscus tears and severe arthritis) we both made it to the beach. We are both determined, athletic and can stubborn at times and it has been a challenge too. I’m sure we supported a vacation home for our physical therapists (and his surgeons) throughout the years.

We will continue to support each other through the good, not so good and all of the day in-between.

Happy Anniversary, Mike!

Jane 7/9/2026