29 Years

Today is November 9, 2026. It is Tim’s and my 29^th wedding anniversary. We almost did not make it to this date. Tim was struck with three, or four depending on how they are counted,  life-threatening crises in February of this year: Septic arthritis, congestive heart failure, heart valve and aortic artery replacement, and stage four prostate cancer. His condition now is pretty good, all things considered. He is walking short distances with his cane, riding LONG distances on his trike, enrolled in cardiac therapy classes, and his attitude is stellar.

Since the day we were married (at one minute after midnight on November 9^th—you can read that story here: Story) , I have hoped that our marriage would make it to this day. Why? Let me explain.

When my first marriage broke up I was devastated. The Lord had told me it would happen, but I had still held out hope that my marriage to Bob would last. We were physically separated in 1996. He was commercial fishing in Alaska and spending time in Mexico in the winter. Things had deteriorated to the point in 1996, that I told him I wanted a legal separation so that I would not be dependent on asking him for money every month. I told him I hoped we could start over. He told me “There is no such thing as a legal separation. I want a divorce.”

We started divorce proceedings. We did not fight each other about it. Sometime in the summer of that year I received the divorce agreement. I could not sign it for months. Finally in the late fall, I signed the papers and turned them over to the lawyer’s office. The clerk asked me if I wanted to be present in court when the case was heard. I told her no, just let me know when it’s over.

I never heard from her. Months went by. Finally, in January, I called her.

“Oh, I am sorry,” she said, “your divorce finalized on the 20^th of December. That was the week of that big snow storm. I am sorry you didn’t get notified.”

“December 20^th?” I said, “That was my anniversary.”

“I know,” she answered. “I noticed that.”

“Well,” I said. “I will always know exactly how long I was married. And The Lord knows I love a good story.”

The divorce was final on the 29^th anniversary of the marriage.

When Tim and I got married, I hoped that our marriage would last longer than my first one did.

Baruch HaShem. Thank you, Lord.