My way of thinking/anniversaries

Jon and I celebrated our 19th anniversary yesterday. So amazing to think about all the years, all the experiences, and all the adventures we have had together. We have shared every minute of it together. Good times. Not so good times. But always facing whatever happened together. How wonderful is that? When you have the confidence that comes with that kind of support there's no limit to what you can do.

If it sounds like I am bragging about the success of our relationship, it's because I am. I think part of the reason for our success is because we were pretty mature when we met. I was 38. Jon was 36. We had both been through failed relationships in our pasts and neither one of us was going to go that route again. We became best friends first with a good knowledge of who we were and what we wanted from each other.

I look back at all that now and it makes me smile. As cautious as we thought we were, there was still a long way to go. We both knew that relationships require work but I'm not sure that we really knew how much. Love is a big part of what drives you to do the work but commitment, patience, understanding, and the willingness to compromise are also such a big part of the equation.

I think our pups help us to remember all those necessary qualities. They are loyal, patient(unless they really,really have to go), always willing to give you love and to give you that happy wag of the tail whenever they get your attention. Jon and I feel the same way right down to wagging our imaginary tails. Hey, we could have been in "Avatar".

Thanks to everyone who sent us their good wishes. Our friends mean so much to us and they keep us honest. We are the luckiest family in the world. Jon, Roxy, Charlie and especially me.

                                       Peace and Love,

                                         Austin/Bill

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