Thirty-one years ago today, Tom and I stood side by side and promised one another a lifetime together. At the time, like most couples standing at the beginning of their marriage, we couldn’t possibly have imagined where life would lead us. We knew we loved each other deeply, and we hoped for a happy future, but the details of that future were still unwritten pages.
Today, as we celebrate our 31st wedding anniversary, those pages have filled into a story far richer than either of us could have predicted.
In many ways, our marriage has been a journey, both figuratively and literally. Long before we ever packed a suitcase to travel the world, we were already navigating the many twists and turns that life naturally brings. Careers, family milestones, unexpected challenges, and joyful celebrations all shaped the path we walked together. Through it all, one constant remained: we faced everything side by side.
When I look back over these three decades, what stands out most is not any single event or accomplishment. Instead, it’s the countless ordinary moments that quietly built the foundation of our life together. The early mornings, the late nights, the shared meals, the laughter over something silly, the comfort of knowing someone understands you completely, even when you don’t say a word.
Those small moments are what truly create a marriage.
Of course, life isn’t always smooth sailing. Like any long-term partnership, we’ve experienced our share of challenges. Health scares, stressful moves, unexpected detours—each one testing our patience and resilience. Yet looking back now, those same challenges often strengthened our bond in ways we couldn’t see at the time.
Marriage, after all, isn’t about perfection. It’s about commitment. It’s about choosing each other again and again, even on the difficult days.
Perhaps one of the most remarkable chapters of our story began thirteen years ago, when we made the bold decision to sell everything we owned and begin traveling the world. At the time, many people wondered if living such an unconventional lifestyle would put stress on our relationship.
In truth, it did exactly the opposite.
Traveling together has given us the gift of shared discovery. We’ve watched sunsets on beaches halfway around the world, as we do today while in Tasmania, wandered through ancient cities rich with history, and found ourselves laughing over language barriers and unexpected mishaps. We’ve lived in homes across continents, met fascinating people from countless cultures, and learned that the world is both much larger and much smaller than we ever imagined.
But perhaps the greatest gift of this lifestyle has been time.
Time to talk. Time to reflect. Time to truly enjoy each other’s company without the constant rush that often defines modern life. When you live this way, you quickly learn that experiences matter far more than possessions. And when those experiences are shared with someone you love deeply, they become even more meaningful.
Over the years, we’ve also learned the importance of gratitude. Gratitude for good health, even after a serious health struggle I experienced in 2019, for the opportunity to explore the world, for the kindness of strangers who often become friends, and for the quiet comfort of simply being together.
As I write this today, I’m reminded that our marriage has evolved just as we have. The love we felt on our wedding day was genuine and strong. Thirty-one years later, that love feels deeper, steadier, and more resilient. It has been shaped by time, by experiences, and by the simple act of sharing life day after day.
I sometimes think about that younger version of us standing in front of a justice of the peace with three of our four kids standing beside us, all those years ago. If we could somehow tell them what the next years would hold—the adventures, the laughter, the challenges overcome—they might find it hard to believe.
And yet here we are.
Thirty-one years later, still walking this road together.
We may not know exactly what the next chapters will bring. Travel plans will continue to evolve, new places will capture our curiosity, and life will undoubtedly offer both surprises and lessons along the way.
But one thing remains certain.
Wherever the road leads next, we’ll continue traveling it side by side—just as we have for the past 31 years.
And for that, I am endlessly grateful.
Tonight’s special dinner:
Jess’s Low-Carb Sausage, Mushroom, and Chicken Casserole
● Prep Time: 20 mins
● Total Time: 1 hr 5 mins
● Servings: 8
INGREDIENTS
3 -4 cups diced cooked chicken
1 lb cheesy sausages
1 stalk celery, chopped fine
1 tablespoon onion, chopped
1/2 lb mushroom, sliced
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
16 ounces frozen cauliflower, cooked well and drained
8 ounces white cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup parmesan cheese, shredded
1 cup unsweetened coconut cream (in a can)
2 tsp salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
DIRECTIONS (8 servings)
1. Brown the sausage with the celery, onion, and mushrooms.
2. Stir the softened cream cheese into the sausage mixture until well blended.
3. Coarsely chop the cooked frozen cauliflower.
4. Mix all remaining ingredients and spread in a greased baking dish.
5. Cover with grated Parmesan cheese
6. Bake, covered with foil, at 350º for about 30 minutes.
2. Uncover and bake until hot and bubbly and the top is lightly browned, about 10 to 15 minutes.
Be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, March 7, 2016:
