Silver Memories – 30 Years Ago Today

Messages from Colleen 101 comments

Thirty years ago today, April 16, 1985, in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, my sweet husband Ron and I, embarked on a journey that everyone said would never last. We both had been married before. We both entered our new lives together with Ron’s two daughters, Ronda and Mary; and my three children, Tabitha, Amy and Billy. That was a total of five children on a Technical Sargent’s pay in the Air Force. Billy was still a baby, not yet nine months old when we wed. Ron was 36 and I, a young bride of 26.

Family reunion 2003

We did it though, we raised all five kids! Ron retired from the Air Force after 24 years of service to our country. Eventually, as a 100% disabled veteran, he went to college and graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Communications and History. We battled Ron’s cancer together, and we conquered and won! To complement our five children, we were even blessed with five fabulous grandchildren!

I worked for years in accounting, doing the company books for many types of businesses, law offices, building contractors, ranches, oil companies, and even a hospital. I already had an Associate Degree in Business Administration, and a few years ago obtained my second Associates Degree in Arts. Now, I am a writer. Life just does not get much better than this.

Thirty years together is surreal. It seems like just yesterday we embarked on this great journey together. We chuckled over our 30th anniversary breakfast together at Cracker Barrel, Ron’s favorite breakfast spot. How could the time have gone so quickly? When did I get so grey? How did we manage to come back to Florida in a full circle of our life together?

Come celebrate with us! Raise a glass and toast us on this happy occasion! Ron and I have finally made it!

 Thanks for visiting with me today. I am so glad you could stop by and share in our anniversary! Cheers!

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101 comments

  4. Happy Anniversary to you both, Colleen! What a lovely story! My husband and I are celebrating 34 years together this June, I can’t believe how fast time goes by! xx

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  8. Colleen, you touched me to tears! This is a story like a fairy tale. You both simply knew! Your bright shining smile never changed. You are a happy woman and you are aware of the gift you are living. OMG I can’t believe it. This is the most romantic story. Raising 5 kids, getting used to each other and reorder to a big family …. that’s only possible with an incredible amount of love. I am sure there were tough times (next to the challenging cancer battle) I love you for the wonderful feelings you spread with your story and your lovable being! Congratulations to your anniversary! I wish I could kiss and hug you in person. But that way you have to imagine it and I hope you feel it. Much love to both of you!!! 💖

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    1. Erika, you brought me to tears too! Thank you for sharing in our wonderful celebration! Ron and I are soul mates too, and have agreed in our next life to find each other sooner, so that we can spend more time together. We are best friends even. All those couples that said we would not make it… they didn’t make it! We always knew in our hearts we were meant to be. Yes, many rough years, but that was long ago. We are always a team and take care of each other. That is the secret. Be polite and care about each other. Thank you for your sweet words. I wish you were here too. Thanks again and hopefully I will meet you this autumn! ❤

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      1. Yes, you definitely feel like twin souls to me! Nothing to explain – a simple knowing. I too hope we will meet this year. I will definitely get back to you in summer! Have an “awesome” day… lol!!!

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  10. This is such a beautiful journey 🙂 Thank you for sharing with us! It just shows that you can overcome anything, if you’re meant to be together. Wishing you many more happy years to come! Xxx

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  11. Well congratulations to both of you!!

    People said that my marriage wouldn’t last either. We are 23 years in and counting 🙂

    Perhaps the cynicism of others makes us more determined to prove the doubters wrong eh 🙂
    My wife and I are both veterans (UK) so we are all too aware of the extra pressures that a life in service brings. I shall most definitely raise a glass of something to you over the weekend.
    Alan

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  19. Awww, that’s wonderful congratulations! We’re going on 21 years in a few weeks ourselves.
    Amazing how the time flies. But that’s what they say isn’t it? Time flies when you’re having fun.
    And when you’re with the right one, it sure is lots of fun 🙂

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  21. Happy Anniversary! What an incredibly special post! Thank you so much for sharing this with us. 30 years is quite an accomplishment these days. 🙂 I hope you guys have many more happy years together. 🙂

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  28. Happy Anniversary to you and Ron Colleen. I’m so sorry I missed the day. Wishing you both many more years of happiness together with lashings of love, wonderful memories and good health. You’re such a lovely person Colleen and I can only imagine the amount of caring and joy you bring to all your family. xxx

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  31. Many congratulations to Ron and you on this wonderful milestone, Colleen.

    Apologies for being a day late with my message, but I’m guessing you both had an incredible day and are looking forward to at least another 30 years together.

    You make a wonderful couple and I am sure bring joy and happiness to the lives of the people you encounter.

    With our very best wishes,
    Hugh, John and Toby.
    xx

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    1. My friend Hugh, thank you so much for your kind wishes. We had a perfect day. Today is what we call the “tween day.” Our anniversary is April 16th and my birthday is April 18th! Ron wanted to get married on my birthday, so he would remember both dates! LOL! We agreed on having two separate days. 😀 Actually, it ends up being a week affair with our granddaughter Alexandria’s birthday on April 14th! We just enjoy each other and have fun. ❤

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      1. Oh wow! What a month for you all then.

        I love Ron’s thinking. How can he not forget both your birthday and your wedding anniversary? Have them on the same day of course 🙂 Great thinking from your husband there, Colleen.

        Well Happy “Tween day” then. I hope you are doing something special tomorrow? Maybe it’s a surprise? Of course I’ll have to have a drink now for your anniversary, tween day, and your birthday.

        February is a little bit like that for us. 12th, My Blog’s Birthday, 14th, Valentine’s Day, 20th, John’s Birthday, 25th, Civil partnership Anniversary.

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        1. Oh Hugh, I forgot my blog-aversary which was April 15th according to the message I finally received from WordPress! Ron remembers the order of the events like this: a = anniversary, b = birthday… a – b! LOL! I love all your events in February. Ron’s birthday is February 12th, so we have valentine’s day stuck in there too. Tomorrow, Ron is barbecuing steaks and halibut. We will have my favorite veggie – asparagus, and sweet potato. I will be 57. I decided that I will not claim “old,” because I am staying young at heart. We did all the fabulous remodeling to the house this year, so my birthday, anniversary, and Christmas are all covered as far as gifts! ❤

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  32. Pingback: Love Songs | Meredith's Musings

  33. Well Happy Blog-Adversary as well. That means an extra drink for me over the weekend. 🙂 I’m not complaining. There has been a lot of blog-aversaries over the last couple of months.

    Ron has a very good system in place. I’m going to take up his advice and join him in helping me remember important dates as well. I seldom forget them, but you just never know.

    Sounds like you have a great day planned tomorrow and I completely agree with you on how old we all feel. I know people younger than me who act older, and people older than me who act younger. It’s all in the heart.

    Have a great day tomorrow and, of course, I’ll be in touch.
    xx

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  34. Happy Anniversary! What a lovely story. It couldn’t have been easy over the years bringing up 5 children together, but you did it, and got through it together! I wish you both continued love and happiness together. 🙂

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  38. Oh wow Colleen, I can only imagine the love, strength, patience and persistence required for 30 years and 5 kids. There’s hope for us all 🙂 Wishing you both the very best and another 30 years!!
    Happy Anniversary…and for your blog too!
    Warm wishes,
    Florence x

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      1. We have the same spell in our family, beginning in November with my sis-in-law, then me, then December filled through January with my Dad on the 6th. Of course, it’s holiday time too! lol

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  40. Colleen!!! That was a handful of love but I thoroughly enjoyed your journey with your Sweetheart and the Children plus grands. I’m so glad I know you (at least across blogsphere).

    A toast to 30 + 30 + more years ahead fill with lots of love, laughter and all that makes your heart glad. Hugs ❤

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