On Our 35th Anniversary

Whenever I am asked to take the stage, whether for a motivational speech, training seminar or keynote address, I usually begin by talking about my family and how blessed I am. Much of that part of the presentation deals with the amazing woman I married. And almost every time, someone comes up to me after the presentation and asks the question, “How have you managed to stay married to the same person for so long?”

The answer is simple. Marry an angel. That’s what I did.

Today is our 35^th wedding anniversary.

It is definitely not the way we intended to celebrate. Ginger is still in hospital today recovering from major surgery. When I get to bring her home later this week, there will be a minimum two-month recovery period. It has become my mission to make the next two months wonderful for her.

She deserves it.

Those that have had the opportunity to interact with Ginger know what I’m talking about. She is a most remarkable woman. She’s totally selfless, an incredible mother to our two amazing sons and their beautiful brides and a guiding light for her students.

She’s a teacher. During the course of her career she has taught almost three thousand 13 and 14 year olds. I’ve lost count of how many continue to seek her counsel. Many of them are married now, some with children of their own, and she is still their inspiration. But mostly over the past 35 years, she has taught me. I can’t even begin to list the ways in which she has made my life wonderful and meaningful.

She is my ‘moral compass’.

The one thing I know for sure, every time, always, is that Ginger will do the right thing, no matter the situation. From the time they were little boys, when our sons were at a crossroads, I’d ask them “what would mom do?” To this day, when I run into a challenge I ask myself the same question because one hundred percent of the time what ‘Ginger would do’ is the right thing to do.

She is my best friend, my inspiration and my guiding light. Last night after I arrived home from spending the day with her at the hospital she sent me a text. I am going to share the content of that text with you because it touched me to my core.  She wrote, “You are my hero!  Thank you for all you do. I am always amazed by the things you do for me and the patience you have.”  That was followed by about a dozen hearts and smiley faces and various other emojis. I’m taking that wonderful message at face value with the full understanding that it could have been the post-surgical meds talking.

I shouldn’t be anyone’s hero.

When I received her text I couldn’t help thinking that if I really could be someone’s hero, I would want to be hers because after 35 years she still knows how to touch my heart and my soul every day. To this day, I have no idea why she said “yes” when I proposed.   But I have been blessed for 35 years that she did.

To know in your heart that you are loved and respected by someone you love and respect is the most amazing feeling.  That’s what I wish for you this Christmas.

May your life be blessed by someone that owns your heart, is your best friend forever and  loves you every day with equal doses of respect, honour and guidance.

Happy Anniversary sweetheart!  I’m good to go for another 35 years if you are.