Dearest and I have been married for 11.5 years. We were together 3 years prior to that
(1.5 yrs of which we lived in Colorado together). We met just before Christmas in 1994. So when in 1996 our Anniversary came and went I was a little annoyed (
to say the least) we had even gone for a hike that day to take in some views - I thought for sure he would ask me to marry him on the top. I remember walking down the road, off the mountain, and stopping as our descent became obvious. What? We are heading down? He didn't ask me to marry him!
You need to understand - for me to remember this it must have weighed heavy on my mind
(I have a terrible terrible memory for events and places we have been ) However, 3 days later, as we were taking the 2.5 hr trek to the airport we stopped for a picture. Something we did often - being by ourselves we relied on the self timer a lot. But that was the moment. As the timer went off he dropped to his knee and asked. It was in the middle of The Unaweep Valley.
So, although it is not our Anniversary I am remembering. I am thinking about this.
I said.... nothing-
I was waiting for tears
When they didn't come
I finally said, Yes.I am doing so because we are going back.
We will be driving right past this location.
We will be able to get out and show the kids.
Will it matter to them -
not really, they are too young to understand.
But there is something full circle about going back
(together- since I have been back once since, but I was by myself)
We said I do (again) last summer at a vow renewalWe will be in the SW corner of Colorado where we lived for a few years. We will be staying with my dearest friend
Deb and we will be touring around the area -
Mesa Verde,
Telluride,
Ouray etc. before heading back - taking in the sites along the way.
But, as we drive past this location.
We will stop
(after we stop fighting over which set of fences it was exactly)We will get out. We will remember.
We will say I do all over again. and again. and again.