Dale’s blog is being held under hostage!  I (Renee) am attempting to show my love for Dale and to celebrate our upcoming 20th Anniversary of marriage by writing a blog without his knowledge.  It’s not been easy so far to do this….  First of all, I had to search, hunt and figure out what Dale’s password is to even get here!  Then, I had to ask a friend (Thanks, Jynelle!) to do some scanning of photos that were waaay before the digital age.  And, now, I am trying to figure out this foreign blogland of wordpress and wondering how the heck does Dale do this?!?  Anyway, if you know me well, you know I can do email and maybe a bit of facebook… but, other than that, I am challenged in these areas of higher computer-ness.  So, if you are looking here to read one of those poetic, lovely worded, thoughtful posts that come from my deep-thinking husband, you better back off right now.  It may not come off as pretty, but I am doing what I can. 

As I mentioned earlier,  we are coming upon our 20th year of marriage….  Wow!!!  Just hearing that makes me think we should be going on a cruise or something.   We will be having a quiet anniversary this year, but that’s ok.  I am just grateful for another year we can mark being married.  We were quite young when we got married.   My mom requested when picking the wedding date, that it would be when I was 19.  Dale quickly asked, “When is the first Saturday after Renee’s birthday?”  It happened to be the next day!  So, I was 19 and one day in the year of 1989.  I often look at other 19 year olds and think, “Yikes!  If I knew then, what I know now, would I still get married this young?”  And, I quickly have to answer, “Yes, Yes, Yes!!!!”  I love being married to Dale.  I am thankful we have the potential to have 60+ years together.  That doesn’t even feel like enough.  I want to be with him more than any other person, hands down.  I like him the most!  Man, I am so blessed!!!

As I  have reflected back where we began 20 years ago, I looked back on our wedding album.   Sadly, our picture taking skills were lacking and our wedding photos were not very good at all.  If I had anything to do over, I would definitely hire my brother, David (www.epicislife.com), or friends, the Parsons (www.wearetheparsons.com) for our photography.  But the problem is they were only like 10 years old at the time.  (Even then they probably would still do a better job!!)  Anyway, take a journey with me down memory lane…. (And bear with me with the placement of photos.  I wish I could ask Dale to help me!!!)

Homecoming 1987  Back when we were “only” friends..  And Prom 1988, when we were becoming a little more friendlier….

Dale has always been very romantic.  For my graduation from high school, he gave me 88 roses!!!  What a guy!!!Dale decided to move away from me and proceed with his life plans that he made before he knew me after the summer of his college graduation.  He headed to CA and we didn’t know where or if God would be bringing our paths back together.  Remember the Michael W. Smith song “Pray for Me”?  That was “our” song. But, it wasn’t long and still debated to this day how long it actually was…when Dale wanted me out in CA with him.   We had a 9 month separation and about a 6 month engagement.  This was before email, cell phones, web cams, cheaper long distance, etc.  We (and my Dad) paid some hefty bills for our many hours of talking.  Dale and I developed a system to let one another  know that we were thinking of each other without paying a dime.  One of us would call the other and let the phone ring once before hanging up, then the other would call back and do the same to say they got the message.  As my dad says, “Poor people have Poor ways!”

Engagement photo

February 1989

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hanging out in San Diego on a trip to see each other.  I missed him so much!!!  It was bliss to be together. March 1989

Rehearsal Dinner-June 30, 1989

After what seemed like an endless engagement of separation, we were finally married!!!  Dale still will not watch the video to this day.  He has maintained that he lived through it once, he doesn’t have to watch it again.  (I think he has some pyschological issues with the fact that his butt was so sweaty and he was afraid everyone could see it.  I am sure he’s scared to see if it’s actually true in the video!!!)

We took a couple of nights and headed to Boulder to a cottage behind someone’s home before packing up and moving to  Beautiful Burbank, CA.  It was a hard day for my Dad to let me go.  Just ask him about that.  At least, we have redeemed ourselves by coming back to CO!

In our first home in Burbank.  Dale is sitting on “the Throne”.  This beauty of a chair was left in the apartment when we arrived along with some other “jewels”.  Our furniture was mismatched and minimal, and we were happy to have it.  (Btw, I think Dale made that coffee table when he was in high school.  I wonder what we ever did with that???) And lastly, Dale is enjoying a tasty meal from his brand-new child bride.  

So, this is where it all started.  And this is where we are now…

 

 Dale is looking cuter than ever, don’t ya think?  His glasses have shrunk and he’s fit and trim.  I have “filled out” over time as 11 people have taken residence in my body for periods of time.  We have learned a lot and continue to learn.  This journey is up and down. I appreciate being in a marriage that the commitment is above all.  We can weather anything…storms, sunny days, and everything inbetween.  But, I would not like to share it with anyone else.  I love you, Dale.  Happy Anniversary!  Hey, Let’s keep watching the weather and see what happens.  How ’bout it?

 

If you live to be a hundred, 

I want to live to be a hundred minus one day, 

so I never have to live without you. 

Winnie the Pooh

 

With love, Renee