Having recently returned from our 50th anniversary cruise in the Mediterranean, I expected this first blog post to celebrate that trip and to regale you with pictures galore. But despite my best efforts to exude the radiance of that cruise, I find myself becoming introspective.
One cannot help but look back from such a remarkable milestone in one’s life, and to savor the grand memories that our life together has afforded both of us. How we bathed in the delight of the incalculable good times and pushed through the inevitable difficulties. We saw our union morph from intimacy, to partnership, to companionship. We are now as dependent on each other as we ever were, as aging is not for meek of heart.
We saw our responsibilities change from getting to know each other better, to building careers, to parenting, to ushering our children through education and into adulthood, care toward aging parents and finally, the most rewarding undertaking of all, being grandparents.
We raised a son who was handicapped, but who has honored us by becoming self-supporting and a productive part of his community. He is a person who never fails to show unconditional love to his entire family. We raised a daughter who through her own drive and hard work has blessed us by becoming a very successful executive and wonderful mother to two daughters of her own. She has made us proud at every turn in her development.
We have the exquisite pleasure of watching two granddaughters grow up and we continue to be a part of their lives at every opportunity. As grandparents everywhere know, this is the dessert in the meal of life.
There are scant few couples who can take on the vagaries of life together and despite mistakes and miscues, forge a bond of love that endures for five decades. To my remarkable and marvelous wife, Patty, I would like to say thank you for letting me live my life with you. I love you.
The Cvillean 
wow wow wow I knew I knew some love stories are forever.
https://wp.me/p9tZ21-4z this is a Micro tale which is actually a dream I had. More power and love to you.
Thank you very much for your kind words and for visiting my blog. Yes, I am very fortunate to have actually lived one of those love stories. Love is forever if you are open to it.
Oh, what a beautiful post Al, I’m sorry I missed it. Happy Anniversary to you both! Your wife is gorgeous.
Thanks for the smiley heart. Or is it a hearty smile?
❤️😀
There you are Al! I somehow missed this post! I am looking at the photo of you and Patty through eyes blurred by tears. What a beautiful post, and so wonderful that after 50 years of marriage, you can speak so openly and honestly about the love you both share. Your story and life achievements are certainly ones to admire.
Sending you both love from Spain.
Tu amiga de ‘Blogging’!
Carly
Hi Carly, and thanks so much for those kind thoughts! It certainly has been a blessed trip for us and to not share it would be a disservice to all we have been through. Love comes in many forms and it doesn’t necessarily take marriage to have a decidedly meaningful and fulfilling relationship. We went into it wide-eyed and naively and we saw more than our share of challenges, but our unwavering love for each other saw us through. Here’s hoping you do and will continue to experience such a fond kinship with your partner in life!
Your pal, Al
Thank you Al. I hope I can speak of my love as fondly as you do, in 50 years time 🙂 Take care
Beautiful. Just beautiful. Congratulations to both of you, not only on your anniversary, but on all you have achieved. My husband and I have been married for a mere 14 years, but I know exactly what you mean. I cannot imagine doing it without him, and I am grateful for what he brings to my life every single day.
Parenting is the most challenging job of all. Trying to give them all a good balance of self-confidence, integrity, happiness, responsibility and strength peppered with a sense of adventure and naturally a good sense of humour is an incredible task. Well done you two on doing such a great job.
This is such a nice comment, Sarah. Yes, I remember us talking about some of your struggles. I can’t imagine how people do this without a partner. You are so fortunate to also have a devoted husband. So nice to hear from you.
Cute couple. Looking forward to seeing you in June.
Marc
Sounds good, Marc. Looking forward to it at this end also.
Congratulations to you both! I hope you have many more wonderful years (and adventures) together!
Thank you, Margy. If she withstood 50, I think I’m home free now.
What a lovely tribute. You are both so very blessed. Happy Anniversary!
Thank you so much, Peg. It’s been a pleasure having you as blog buddy.
Congrats to Patty and Al, the dynamic duo! A wonderful, warm, loving couple who wrote the book, or blog, on how to stay married for 50 years. Proud to call you friends.
That is a sweet statement from my first crush. Someday I will have to blog about those wild days in grammar school.
Dear Dad,
You and Mom have always been an inspiration to me, and this post sums up how much our entire family is blessed by your marriage.
I love you both more than words can express
Your daughter,
Lisa
Thank you so much, Lisa. You now have your mother in tears, but one of my blessings is I get to help her dry them. We love you.
You too are beyond special and a very Happy Anniversary to you both. ❤ The two of you weave life with a loving grace than shines through. It was a joy to have moments in your company. I love you both. ❤ and here's to many more years to come journeying together for you two. ❤
Thank you Jane, That trip and meeting you is one of the sweet remembrances I speak of.
I love you and Patty, my Bro. ❤ xXx
Cheers to a blessed and loving couple! Happy 50th and the best part is you recognize and appreciate the love and bliss you both share, despite the responsibilities of raising a handicapped son. Cheers to good health, good wealth and happiness always!
A lovely comment and thank you. Anyone who has had a handicapped child knows the extra pressures it brings. But the reward in the end makes those very distant memories.
Most welcome and have a great weekend ahead😊
Congratulations to you both Al and Patty! My brother has a favorite line, “the joy is in the journey.”
May you and Patty enjoy many more years on that journey together!
Thanks, Faye, I love that saying…and so true.
I need a box of tissues!
You can have the ones I used while writing this, but they’re a bit soggy.
Awesome ! 50 years together IS awesome ! Congratulations to both you. Ralph 😊🍾🥂
Thank you Ralph. And we didn’t even have to go through the hassle to get married that you and Natascha are going through.
Oh Al, this is just the sweetest. Wishing you & your lovely wife many more years of discovery together!
Thanks, Lynn. “Years of discovery”, you put in just a few words what marriage is all about.
What else can you say about a post like that apart from it is beautiful. I’m so pleased I got the chance to meet the both of you.
That meeting would come under the one of the highlights in our lives that I was referring to.
A very loving tribute to your life together Al. Thank you for sharing.
You are welcome, Jeri. I know you and Jack share this same adventure and appreciate the nuances that come with it.
Very sweet, Al. Marriage sure is an adventure. You both have managed to provide a wonderful legacy to your children, grandchildren and friends. We can only pray to be so lucky. I sure hope we can get together. How is June looking for you? We can travel to you or vice versa. We are in Oregon mid-June returning around the 13th. Hugs, Karen Next year is our year to do the River Cruise!
Thanks, Karen. Would love to get together again. You might have to come here. I will hear in a week about when I will have hip replacement surgery scheduled. Possibly late June or July. I hobbled through our trip but it is time to get this fixed and get back to a regular lifestyle! I’ll keep you updated. As for your river cruise, I’ll bet right now you enjoy it so much you’ll talk about scheduling the next one as soon as you get home. They are fabulous. Tell me again which one you are doing?