BilikFamily.com

Really? Has it really been almost two decades? 19 years ago today we got married. Less than a week later we drove to Dayton, OH with everything we had to start our lives in the back of a Ford Escort—Scarlet. Within a week or so after that bought our second car, a brand new, bright banana yellow CRX Si—The Sneaker. A couple of weeks later we were settled into base housing. Small as it was, it was pretty bare for months afterwards as we slowly bought the things we needed with my shoestring second lieutenant income. Within a year afterwards Michelle was studying graphic arts during the week and waitressing on weekends. I worked during the weekdays, went to grad school in the evening, and did my homework on a humble, second hand MacPlus (System 6 baby!) on weekends while Michelle was out waitressing.

That whole newly married, USAF Dayton living, grad school time seemed like such a large part of our lives. And yet, we've lived longer in Milford, and it seems like just yesterday that we moved here from Nashua. I think perhaps kids are responsible for making the time fly by so fast now.

I suspect most couples who've been married a while look back at the early years with rose colored glasses...

Michelle and I got a generous anniversary card from her grandparents a few days ago. We used that money last night and went for a quiet dinner at The Mile Away restaurant here in Milford. They had us eat in a smaller side dining room that I didn't know existed. Even better, we got a small table near the windows that overlooked their beautiful gardens. In the gardens was a wedding reception that they were hosting. How nice it was to watch a wedding reception when you're celebrating your own wedding!

We've really no big plans for today. I'm going to the gym as usually happens on Saturday morning. I don't think I'll be able to take a fitness class today as they are hosting an instructor seminar in the studio to teach Zumba. I'll probably try out their cardio machines for the first time. If we can get several hours without it raining again, I hope to cut our overgrown lawn. It's rained or threatened to nearly every day for the past couple of weeks. If all of that goes well, perhaps tonight we'll celebrate with all of the kids with a dinner out somewhere. Most of these 19 years would have been boring without them.