44 Years Ago Today

Mr. Smith took me to the Los Angeles Temple and we were sealed for time and all eternity. We’ve had a life of ups and downs, but one thing has remained constant. Our loyalty to one another. Life can throw you all kinds of wrenches, and sometimes we don’t respond as favorably as we would hope. I’m so deeply grateful that my Mr. Smith has stuck by me through thick and thin. There was a day we thought we might divorce, but our daughter insisted we learn to Lindy Hop Swing dance, and we fell in love all over again on the dance floor.

Photo: Leonard Ortiz / Orange County Register – 9/1/03 – – Batch Caption – Photo: Leonard Ortiz / Orange County Register – 9/1/03 – Swing dancers from all over southern California for a swing dance marathon during a Labor Day event at the Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace in Yorba Linda. A free admission day helped attract 1,500 people to the museum. Events also included a performance by the Orange Empire Barbershop Chorus a classic car collection and two new exhibits, a collection of Ronald Reagan movie posters (background) and a Korean War exhibit called”The Coldest War”. The Boy Scouts provided hamburgers and hot dogs for the event.

The good times wouldn’t be so good if we didn’t know challenging times. It gives us a way to compare. But we’ve had so many wonderful times. Here’s a list of things I appreciate most about Geoff:

1. We enjoy the same things, like action packed movies, and funny TV shows. Lately we’ve really enjoyed those old TV shows that teach morals. Since we both grew up in Lakewood, we have a lot of common memories.
2. We love the same music, oldies, jazz, swing, classical, Hawaiian and sacred hymns. I love that we’ve sung in so many choirs together. I especially love listening to the music he plays while I’m working… 
3. He spoils me… a lot! Going out to eat, or telling me I deserve that shirt or those shoes. Not to mention the Hawaiian vacations! 
4. We have always gone to church together except when he was serving in the bishopric, and I would see him on the stand. I have loved always going together.
5. We enjoy going to the temple together.
6. He makes the best breakfasts, and the best tuna sandwiches
7. Neither one of us sleeps very well when we aren’t in our own bed together.
8. He gives the best foot and neck massages and has always taken good care of me.
9. We both become kids again at Halloween time
10.  He always has my back. He supports me in my ventures.  He understands me and is my very best friend.

I have been blessed beyond measure with this dear man. Words are so inadequate. So all I can say is thank you Sweetheart for being my everything. I’m so grateful to have shared 44 of my best years with a man that has such high integrity and determination to make things work. Who continues to tell me how beautiful I am even though I’m showing my age.

I love you with all my heart and soul!