It was not your traditional wedding. It was not the beachfront ceremony we had imagined. The bride wore blue. Her maid of honour was her father. The special guest star was our unborn daughter curled up inside, the size of a button. Family only. We kind of stole the thunder from my dad, who turned 60 that day. We honeymooned at the Delta Hotel down the street, where we splurged on pay-per-view and watched Die Hard II before falling asleep.
It was not how we imagined it would be, but 25 years ago today, Deb and I were married. Yesterday, I bought a poinsettia to mark the occasion — it was Deb’s idea. She’s smarter than me when it comes to these things. I presented it last night. “Happy early-versary,” I said.
This morning, we woke up around the usual time, had our coffee together, fretted about Christmas, finances, the contractor coming tomorrow and what our adult children are going to do with their lives. There were litter boxes to clean, a toilet to plunge. And then off to work. I left a little XOXO note on Deb’s steering wheel and told her to tune in to CBC Radio at 4:50. She doesn’t know about the piece below I recorded. She might hate it.
Our marriage is not some epic romance. It’s not even a how-to manual. It’s more of a daily comic strip, a series of small gestures, with characters you love, full of surprises.
Saturday, we’ll have our official anniversary date. We’re going to see the new Star Wars. I bet it will be at least as good as Die Hard II.
Drinking Tips for Teens 
Happy anniversary!
Thanks.
Wow Ross, great work! My Baby and I celebrated 25 years last week, and he didn’t get anything close to what Deb is receiving today – I am sure that she knows how good she’s got it. Congratulations on lasting 25 years, and here’s to the next 25!
Hi Marc. Congratulations to you too. See you around sometime.
Happy Anniversary to you both. FYI: We all tolerate you . LOL
It’s a universal message, really.
And thanks.
Congratulations!
Thank you.
Happy anniversary! So glad she still tolerates you after all this time.
We’ll see after 5 o’clock if the streak continues.
Your baby is a lucky lady. What an awesome tribute. Congratulations, Ross (and your baby).
Lucky, foolhardy, stubborn, it all amounts to the same. Thanks, Corinne.
What a wonderful (and thrifty) way to commemorate 25 years! And you know, I think you guys have it right.
Here’s to 25 more for you and your baby (were I ever to call my husband that I would no longer have a baby …)
what a great tribute to her, ross and congrats! here’s to 125 more!
That’s a lot! But okay. Thanks!
That is ‘ferking-eyeballs’ and (eardrums) fabulous. Just love your way with words. Plus, you didn’t miss a beat in the presentation. Don’t know about Deb, but I’m signing up for 25 years as a fan. Oh no, wait . . . that would make me 95 yrs – ain’t nobody got time for that.
Thanks, Tez. The miracle of retakes and sound editing.
Look how lucky the two of you are. Many shotgun weddings don’t have such a happy ending. (That’s a clunky sentence but I’m sick of rewriting it. Sorry.) So congrats and all good wishes to you and your bride. 25 years is a long time. Some folks don’t make it past 25 months. In Hollywood, 25 weeks is considered a pretty good run. That’s a nice photo.
I just listened to the song. I hope everyone clicks on that because it’s really good. Well done. SHE’S the lucky one.
I’ll pass on your message to her. I’m sure that will convince her.
You imply she needs convincing. I doubt that’s the case but if it’ll help you sleep at night, be my guest.
Hey, did you notice? Serious! More or less…
I always try to add the caveat that we *were* engaged. Our parents swept in, and we were in a state of shock so. Still, it was a fine wedding. Some day we’ll actually get that honeymoon.
How sweet; most women would be delighted with such a tribute. Happy Anniversary (to you both.) And Merry Countering.
Thanks. She didn’t hate it. That’s a win!
That’s almost romantic…in a Ross kind of way. Congratulations and here’s to 25 more.
Gross! But thanks.
Wonderfully simple and brilliant story. Many more returns.
Thank you.
Happy anniversary. I love how you describe the 25 years. “It’s more of a daily comic strip, a series of small gestures, with characters you love, full of surprises.” That’s great.
Thanks. In all seriousness, I think our culture (through media, naturally) has conditioned that Love and Romance should be big, capitalized. Really, though, it’s a quiet thing.
It’s best when it’s quiet. Like most things in life.
Awesome!!! Happy anniversary, Ross. What a fantastic gift for your wife. Our wedding was a Las Vegas disaster and we’re going on our 11th year. I think we’re onto something. 😉
We’re just back from our anniversary outing: Star Wars and the Thai Buffet. Try the fried bantha, it’s to die for.