“If I get married, I want to be very married.”
― Audrey Hepburn
I love to hear Jim tell the story of how we met. When people ask, he tells it like this. “I was at the VIP in Baden (a disco) and looked across the room. I saw this beautiful woman, sitting at a table full of dirty glasses and I could have heard a pin drop. I said to my friend Jeff, I am going to marry that girl.”
If you believe in love ever after, then I have to say you are in good company. Jim and I are coming up on thirty four years of marriage. He still thinks I am a size five. I am one lucky girl.
I could tell you it has all been wine and roses but that would not be the truth. Anyone who has been in a long term relationship will say HA! to that. It’s true. We have been through our share of thick and thin.
At the start of our marriage, Jim switched careers and went to nursing school (a good move). We had children young (never regretted, also a good move). I started a gourment coffee business, then a major competitor came to town (bummer). We remodeled our house a couple of times. We got a dog, chickens, bees, and a grandson (awesome stuff).
Jim is my biggest cheerleader. He is always behind me; game for almost anything I have a desire to do. He also pushes me to do things I don’t always want to do- like looking at the reality of situations. Or asking me what my motivation is behind doing the things I want to do. When I’m upset about something small, he reminds me I have bigger fish to fry.
If I could describe Jim in a few words it would be “easy does it.” I bought him a license plate for the front of his truck that actually says this, because it is true. He will rarely get fluffed about anything and when he does, he tends to only tell people he really trusts. He isn’t a blabber mouth. He is a man of few words but those words are either hilariously funny or seriously wisdom filled.
I am thankful that God brought Jim and I together. Sometimes when I am troubled, I get up so close to him that he probably cannot breathe. I can feel my heart beat slower and more confidently, just because he is near me. I can hug him for a long time and he will let me.
If I could give advice to any newly married couple it would be this. You cannot be selfish when you are married. In order to have a loving, serious relationship, you have to be unselfish. And you have to have respect for your partner, no matter what. You can disagree, have different opinions, but you have to love and respect them for who they are.
Jim and I work on our marriage. We spend time together and make dates when we know that we have been too busy. Our friends are a huge part of our life. We have separate hobbies but we also love many things mutually- good food, family, and outdoor spaces.
How blessed I have been. Happy Valentine’s Day Jim!
I love this post! You and Jim are an awesome and inspiring couple! I am blessed to have known both of you. Happy Valentine’s Day to you and Jim! (In my house is been known as ‘Jeremy’s birthday’ for 29 years now!)
Wow, how cool! You and Don deserve a round of applause as well! We are blessed to know you both. Please wish Jeremy a happy birthday for me!
xoxoxo
This is beautiful!! And wonderful wisdom to share with the “younger” generation! Although I dare say you and Jim are very young at heart!!!!! <3
My knees aren’t feeling so young these days but I would like to think I am young at heart. Thank you Tracy!
You are Joanne!!❤️
a fetching couple indeed 🙂
😉 Thank you
What a beautiful story. I am so Blessed to have both of you as cousin’s. I love you both very much. you have a beautiful family. God Bless both of you.
Hi Linda, it is a blessing to have you for a cousin. Hope all is well in Florida and George is on the mend.
xoxoxo
What a wonderful post for your Valentine, all the time, sweetheart, Jim.
He is a sweetheart <3
He gets that from his dad! Both great men. Well said. Grant let’s me hug him often too…I feel the way you do. Grant is such a loving man, something I really appreciate.
Thanks for sharing!
I see your posts on Facebook and you look very much in love. Thank you for reading my blog!
xoxo
A rare and true blessing, indeed, Joanne. Such a sweet Valentine message. May you share many, many more wonderful years together…Amen! Wonderful advice to newly weds.
Blessings for a beautiful upcoming anniversary,
Marianne xo
Hi Marianne, Thank you for such a beautiful blessing. To have many more anniversaries would be a gift.
Hope all is well with you as we await the coming spring.
🙂
xo
Hi Joanne, I’m a romantic and what a beautiful love story you have. Your guy sounds very special and I love the size 5 bit. Whenever my husband guesses my weight–always in some context or another–he throws out a number he thinks is accurate and rolls along with the conversation. The number he picks is usually -30 and, inevitably, I think how blessed I am. Thanks for sharing a glimpse of your blessed marriage. Happy Valentine’s Day! — Viv
Viv,
Sounds like we are both lucky to have such special men. So good to hear from you. I love your blog.
xo Joanne
“BEAUTIFUL”……what a fine example you are to this world! By the way…that picture would be a beauty to frame!! Happy Valentine’s Day!
You’re right. What a good idea!
Thank you! xo
I love this! You two are the sweetest and definitely an inspiration. I loved your marriage advice… I’ll be passing that along to my dear husband 😉
Xoxo,
Corinne
Hi Corinne!
Thank you so much. Many best wishes for a long and happy marriage!
xo Jo
I love this post SO MUCH! Thank you Joanne, for sharing how blessed you have been and in so doing helping me (again!) recognize how blessed I am as well. This is the most beautiful Valentine’s post ever. Thank you for this beautiful reminder of the joys that come from tending our own ‘garden’ of marriage. Blessings, Gina
Hi Gina! Thank you for visiting my blog this morning and for all your wonderful comments! If I showed you how blessed you truly are, that has made my day.
xoxo
Joanne
Beautiful picture of you two, Joanne. And the details are wonderful. I believe some things are just meant to be, so you hold hands extra tight during the tough stuff, and every day you say a prayer of thanks for the beauty of being with the heart of your heart.
You are right Marylin. That is really how to do it. Hope you have a beautiful Valentine’s Day.
xo
Joanne
This is wonderful Joanne! I miss seeing you all
I miss seeing you too. I’m sure you are as busy as I am with grandchildren, etc. Let’s try and get together!!