Remembrance and Celebration

For the longest time I was a bit irritated that my day, September 11th, had been 'hijacked' by evil doers and turned forever into a bitter and painful day for all Americans. I consider September 11th my day because on that day - 21 years ago now - the boy (20 something year old people somehow come to be called 'boys' and 'girls' when you are in the midst of your 40 somethings... ) I loved asked me to be his wife. It was in a park on a rock... the rock. I'll never forget it!

It was a somewhat crisp-for-this-time-of-year Friday and I was in college. I was in Economics 301 to be exact which I did not enjoy even a little bit. When the dreaded class was over about 11am that morning, I came out of the building and was delighted to see the happy face of my sweetheart waiting there for me. This was unusual because he should have been working and not on my college campus. He told me he wanted to take me to lunch and out for the afternoon. Well, who can resist that kind of offer? I punted any homework I had planned to do that day and off we went. I have no idea where we went for lunch though I think I remember it was a little deli that we still love near my school. He did not seem himself but I couldn't put my finger on it. He was antsy and a bit distracted. I didn't suspect a thing. I'm still a bit naive that way.

He took me to 'our park'. It is forevermore known as 'our park' because of this day, September 11, 1986. He had a wonderful speech prepared... and readers, let me just say... it was something! He was and still is truly a romantic! Then out came the ring! I was shocked and surprised! I was thrilled! It was the beginning of the greatest chapter in my life and I am humbled that the Lord has blessed me with such a man. I am unworthy of him.

I'll save the real accolades for next week when we celebrate our actual wedding anniversary... 20th anniversary to be exact!

I am NOT old enough to have been married 20 years! I'm just NOT!

We were married exactly a year and a week later. I wanted to be married on September 12th, 1987 so we could say we were engaged one day and married the next but the church was already booked on that day. So, I settled for the following week which turned out to be the best possible day! You'll have to check back next week for that story.

Since then our day was commandeered by some rogue terrorists bent on evil. I'm sure you all know where you were when you heard the awful news. I was getting ready for a field trip to the Botanical Gardens and I had a beautiful 10 week old baby girl in my arms when my husband called me from work. He works in television news and he asked me if I had the television on. I did not. He told me to turn it on. He tried to catch me up on what was happening but I didn't hear a word he said. I just sat staring at the tv screen and the smoke pouring out of the World Trade Centers. It was surreal. It still is.

I also remember right where I was on September 11, 1986... on a rock in a park.

Both events shaped my life. I'm thankful to say that the celebration of 1986 wins the day today! Satan's minions couldn't steal the joy from my day forever. They tried but failed. I thank the Lord for that!

Happy Engagement Anniversary, Honey! Don't worry... I know you remembered! ~wink~