He asked me to marry him 34 years ago today. We were so young, but thought we were quite prepared: mature, responsible and ready. Ha!

He did not arrange for a flash mob or jumbo tron or media presentation. I was not feeling well; he came over and made me soup and then asked me to marry him.

The years have brought such challenges: a groomsman’s suicide the night of his bachelor party, foster parenting his abandoned nephews, my parent’s divorce, his – then my – cancer, a job lay-off. How does anyone prepare for life?

Decades later he still makes me soup as I listen to details of his day; we discuss, debate and decide paint colors and career choices. Catching only glimpses of our younger selves, we watch our faces age, our bodies shift shape and the years proceed.

But today I pause and text him: “So glad you asked!” He soon calls back, “Me, too.”

How did you decide to ask for or answer your future? 

(S-R archive photo)

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