Twenty-nine years ago Richard and I were married in our backyard. It was a Labor Day weekend and we threw the wedding together in five days! Why so quick? Trust me, it wasn’t a shotgun wedding but Princess Diana had just died unexpectedly and that kicked my “life is short” philosophy into overdrive.
We made use of our Costco membership for food for the reception and an attorney friend who was also in seminary agreed to marry us.
Five days. Life is short and we were going to make this happen.
It went off without a hitch although it wasn’t without a full day of activities. Rachel had a soccer game in the morning, a birthday party in the afternoon for all of our September birthdays (Richard, Robert and Other Brother). The Officiant and Best Man also had September birthdays so it was a massive birthday party.
Then the wedding! (I’m pretty sure I showered sometime in between all the activities).
Robert was a good sport considering our wedding took place on his actual birthday. He got cake so he was happy.
Our anniversary and Robert’s birthday have been tied together for 29 years and counting. Many of those years were celebrated with Robert, usually with a combo anniversary and birthday dinner – sometimes at home, sometimes out at a restaurant and sometimes at the hospital or his skilled nursing facility.
This is the first year celebrating without Robert.
He turned 60 last year so we made a huge deal of his birthday and I am so glad we did. We celebrated him a few days early so Pattae and the facility could participate and he wore a crown and “Birthday King” sash, had cake and ice cream and shined his famous Robert smile all day long!
I will never forget his deep dimples and the way his eyes lit up with his smile.
Richard and I will be going out to dinner – just the two of us this year.
We’ll say “cheers” to Robert and share memories of him because that smile will always stay in our heart.
And I will be forever convinced that life is indeed short.
