Around this time of year, Andrea and I celebrate our wedding anniversary. There is a real date, we (that’s right… we… not just me) never seem to remember which date it is — it’s somewhere between the 5th and the 7th of February. The fact that none of our relatives have called to wish us a happy anniversary yet suggests that maybe we have the date wrong… again.
The date’s not so important to us and we’ve never been so invested in making a big deal out of our anniversary. Having said that, ten years is a nice round number that’s easy to get excited about.
After I proudly announced our anniversary on Twitter this morning, our friend Susan Murphy sent a congratulations message and I started to think that it really shouldn’t be such a big deal that we’ve been married for ten years. I suppose there are a lot of relationship stories that suggest otherwise. I replied by saying “It’s easy and fun. Anyone can do it.”
There’s no major magic to making your relationship and anniversary something worth celebrating that doesn’t need to be celebrated at all. I’ll share the secret with you. Celebrate your relationship everyday. It sounds corny, but if your relationship is worth a big annual event involving a babysitter, limo and an expensive dinner, then it’s worth celebrating with the little things on a daily basis (btw, we once celebrated our anniversary with daycare friends and a few boxes of KD). You shouldn’t have to wait for a full year to remind your partner how much you love them, appreciate them and have fun being with them. And you don’t even have to be Facebook friends to prove it.
Hi Mark,
First 10 years married is a decent barometer of how your relationship is. If it’s still fun and awesome for this long, it’s a testament to your commitment to each other and your family.
I think in this era of taking the easy path when things are rough 10 years is indeed a landmark and should be acknowledged. As such, I hereby proclaim (to any that will adhere) Feb 5 to Interplanetary Mark and Andrea day, appropriately shortened to iMadd.
Weird how that worked out.. hmmm…
:)
Comment by Andy Bilodeau — February 5, 2009 @ 5:06 pm
Hi Mark and Andrea:
Ten years and two kids and you’re both still smiling! It was very heartwarming to read your post, and all I can say is Happy Anniversary, and many more!!
Comment by John Meadows — February 5, 2009 @ 5:56 pm
I think it’s easy if you’re in the right relationship, and if you continue to value it and work on it. Air and I are coming up on our 14th wedding anniversary this year, and I still look forward to being with her every day. But there are plenty of people who try to preserve relationships that shouldn’t be preserved, or who don’t work at ones that do. That’s why one that lasts is worth celebrating. Good job, Mark and Andrea!
Comment by Derek K. Miller — February 5, 2009 @ 9:52 pm
Thank you for the kind words, Andy, John and Derek!
Derek… you’ll tell us when 14 happens, eh?
Comment by Mark — February 6, 2009 @ 6:19 am
I think it's easy if you're in the right relationship, and if you continue to value it and work on it. Air and I are coming up on our 14th wedding anniversary this year, and I still look forward to being with her every day. But there are plenty of people who try to preserve relationships that shouldn't be preserved, or who don't work at ones that do. That's why one that lasts is worth celebrating. Good job, Mark and Andrea!
Comment by Derek K. Miller — December 31, 2009 @ 3:06 am