Happy Anniversary -- 50 Years!

Our 50th wedding anniversary was February 28. It would have been February 29, but we didn't want to wait two years. It's a long story.

It was a bittersweet day. Part of me felt so happy and blessed to have made it to this milestone, and part of me was supremely sad. It would have been wonderful to have a big reception in a rented hall with catered food and a band and flowers galore and dancing and merrymaking, followed by a week in a romantic location, perhaps a recreation of our honeymoon so many years ago that feels like yesterday.

But, for obvious reasons, I had to scale back my hopes and dreams. So I got some balloons and table decorations and a couple of floral arrangements and a cake and some sparkling cider (alcohol not allowed). I dressed up and put on some heels and did my hair and took care with my makeup and dabbed a little perfume behind my ears, and off I went to the facility to celebrate with my man.

Don't stab me with the knife,
honey! Cutting the cake.

Unbeknownst to me, the activities director had arranged for tablecloths on the tables. Residents had been brought in from the other cottages, ready for cake and ice cream and "bubbly." Music was playing on the boombox. There was a special "head table" just for the two of us. There were toasts, and I made a little speech thanking everyone for joining us on our special day, and we all sang "Happy Anniversary."

Honestly, I don't think I would have been able to hold it together for a big party without my husband being truly able to participate. That's why I didn't plan one. It would have been overwhelming and melancholy. You know what, though? He was more alert than I've seen him so far this year. He knew something special was being celebrated, he was in a good mood, he loved his two pieces of cake, and he drank over half a bottle of sparkling cider.

The afternoon wasn't what I'd thought it would be; it was better. It was just right.