it's been 10 years since august 14th, 1999, and a few days now

there have been many times i have wondered if we could make it, and so far, we have, and it is somewhat of a miracle to be honest, but miracles happen. and so does couples therapy, and couples workshops, and love and relationship and marriage books. and patience. and rebirths.

we were lucky lucky parents to get to take off and go up into the mountains for 3ish days and 2 nights. i have never experienced a hiking trail like i did this one in the mountains of gothic town. and i didn't even eat any funny mushrooms, altho i thought about it. this wilderness in the crested butte area is out of control this time of year. we spent our honey moon in the portland, maine area, driving a little red convertible all around that beautiful land and coast finding some of our other all time favorite trails, and this tiny little colorado trip was very reminiscent of the honeymoon somehow. we still know how to hang out, for the most part (..ahem, i am not going to get into the one upset we did have), and after 10 years, i am so so so grateful for that.

i broke the law and picked some indian paintbrush, that was EVERYWHERE, so i don't feel like i did anything really wrong, and brought it home to make some magical flower essence.
we were listening to an audio book together. so good is tom wolf. that's what old married couples do.
(these smiles look kind-of fake, but kind-of real, so it's kind-of okay)

we got wed. by the grace of the GREAT MYSTERY we are still married. all i can say, is it is luck, and, dare i say, mostly, it is WORK. the hardest work either one of us has ever done. and just to keep me here in reality, it ain't over , h. the work is never over. but neither is the LOVE. it has a tendency to grow and spread and teach a lot about forgiveness. that is the other thing, that dare i say, it is a lot about. everyday pretty much, there is something to forgive, for us who like everything perfect, or think we do. we wake up, and have to remember we are humans, imperfect, beautiful humans, learning to love.