Today Mr. Diamond and I will celebrate 41 years of wedded bliss. For those that know us well, you know that we have really been blessed with a truly wonderful life. We are well suited for one another and balance each other. As we have gotten older I think our appreciation for each other has grown exponentially. It’s a very good thing to know that your partner is a partner in all things.

When we first married, young and naive at a mere 22 years of age, we had to depend upon each other as we had moved far away from our families. We never thought a thing about that. We just did it. I think we managed quite well.

Of course there have been bumps in the road along the way. A few job disappointments, the drain of being parents of busy children, the health scares, the sadness of family deaths, and more but through it all I am so thankful that we have each other.

Mr. Diamond has provided high adventure for all these years and I have enjoyed trips and travel to many places I never imagined I would visit including an upcoming trip this fall to England and Scotland. Add in the fun of moving to new locations and that just added a fuller aspect to our marriage.

If I had to give marriage advice to anyone it would be to be flexible, maintain a good sense of humor and always, always, always, find ways to share your love with your spouse. Leave a rubber gecko in a place where they will find it, put a note in the suitcase when they travel, put a ceramic frog in the toilet, make chocolate chip cookies often or simply say “I love you” .

Happy Anniversary, Chris. I love you more than my words can say.