Taste of Celebration | 39 Years of Us

Thirty-nine years ago, we took a leap of faith — quite literally. We eloped after knowing each other just six weeks, trusting the quiet certainty that love had found us. Nearly four decades later, I can say with gratitude (and a bit of wonder) that the leap was worth it.

Marriage isn’t always easy; it asks for grace, patience, and a willingness to grow together through changing seasons. Not every story endures — and that makes me even more thankful for ours.

Ours is a marriage grounded in faith, strengthened by commitment, and sustained by a deep affection that still surprises me after all these years. We are among the lucky ones, and we don’t take that for granted.

This year’s anniversary wasn’t about grand gestures but about savoring — two dinners, two settings, one shared celebration of life, love, and the beauty of still choosing each other every day.

Dinner One: At the Farm Table

The first evening unfolded under the soft glow of a Southwest Florida sunset, a northerly breeze moving through the palms. Twenty strangers gathered — all couples, randomly seated — for a chef’s choice, farm-to-table dinner.

Four courses, each one a surprise. A wine pairing was offered, and we said yes to half pours — just enough to toast, to taste, to linger.

The food was sublime: fresh, seasonal, and full of quiet confidence. But the true highlight wasn’t on the plate — it was in the company. We discovered unexpected connections with those seated nearby, and by the end of the evening, conversation and laughter wove us all together like old friends.

Nights like this remind me why we gather: not just for nourishment, but for the joy of community — the kind that fills both heart and plate.

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Dinner Two: Intimate Indulgence

Our second celebration was quieter and more refined — an elegant Japanese-Italian fusion experience that felt both adventurous and serene. We sat at the chef’s table, where we could watch the rhythm of the kitchen unfold.

Hunter, our server, guided us through the menu with warmth and expertise, helping us craft a progression of dishes that truly showcased the restaurant’s creativity. The space glowed in shades of vibrant green and soft moss, modern and inviting.

Between the gentle clink of glasses and the swirl of aromas, we tasted our way through the night — sharing bites, comparing notes, pausing now and then just to smile at how far we’ve come.

Reflection

After nearly four decades together, I’m reminded that celebration doesn’t have to be extravagant. Sometimes it’s simply about showing up — with gratitude, curiosity, and open hearts — and letting the moments unfold.

Marriage, like a shared meal, is built course by course. Some sweet, some complex, all part of the same beautiful story.

Here’s to 39 years of love, laughter, and the taste of togetherness — wherever we find it next.