30 is a very BIG number

A dozen roses is an incredibly touching gift. Two dozen roses is absolutely indulgent. But a bouquet of 30 roses? Extravagent.

This is what greeted me upon return to my office after morning rounds in the critical care units.

In case you have forgotten where you were 30 years ago today, here is a clue.



Thirty years have passed since Al and I tied the knot on June 2, 1979. We were 20 years old, and utterly clueless. Styles have changed a lot since this wedding took place. Quite a few hairlines and waistlines have changed as well. But several things have not changed:
- Family remains the most important relationship on this earth
- Love is not demonstrated through flowers and diamonds (as nice as they are) but through common, and often inconvenient acts that meet the needs of others. Changing flat tires; wiping snotty noses; getting up in the middle of the night with a crying child; bailing a wayward son out of jail; learning to make hamburger helper and spagetti; and countless hours spent in parking lots waiting for the end of baseball and football and softball and wrestling practice and piano lessons.
- Commitment is hard. It's a choice every day to stay when you'd rather not; to serve when you'd rather be served; to deny oneself and carry a cross. Al and I had some role models for this in our parents. Their marriages weren't perfect, but they were committed to sticking it out. We are grateful for their example.
- And at the end of the day, another warm body in the bed is usually a nice thing.

Happy Anniversary, Honey! You are still a hunk and I'm looking forward to 30 more years.