It might be on that beach with the palm trees, sitting on the white sand and staring out at the perfect crystal blue water…or then again it might be right at your doorstep. It’s all in your perspective.
The 21st night of September (the engagement).
The 8th of November (the wedding).
The 9th of January & the 16th of July (the births of our daughters).
Those dates add up to one thing, my perspective on the world – my life – my family. The family which really began in earnest when Debbie and I said “I do” on this date 17 years ago and the doors to paradise opened wide. Remember it’s all in your perspective. Paradise can be anywhere you want it to be.
Paradise for you might exist somewhere else. That’s OK, as long as you are not ignoring what’s right in front of you at THIS moment. It’s a mistake too many of us make, always focusing on the next thing, what we think we want, instead of what we already have.
Paradise might be much closer than you think. I still remember the moment they introduced Debbie and I into the room on our wedding night. I remember how good it felt as we made our way onto the floor for our first dance – the right place, the right time – as if my entire life had led me to that moment.
From that moment we have built paradise, hand in hand, life by life, by living in the moment as much as possible. It’s not easy. The distractions are many in life, the bright, shiny objects always trying to steal your attention – the next “item” you wish to own to create happiness which his fleeting, the next get-away to where they claim paradise exists. It can be hundreds, if not thousands of miles away… or if you are paying attention, it can exist right in front of you.
I remember this night 17 years ago, standing there reading my vows to my wife. I remember a few years later watching her give birth to our first baby and waiting for the doctor to tell us the outcome of the 50/50 bet — “it’s a girl” – her name, Sophie. I remember two years later hearing the cries of my second baby daughter, Emily, as she too took her first breath.
Two daughters, my wife, my family. Paradise.
It’s way closer more often than I think. And to think it all began on a Saturday just like this one, seventeen years ago. It defies true explanation or description on how you build a life with someone and then expand it to infinity and beyond, by giving life to two more.
Thank you Debbie for bringing paradise to our front door. You are the heart of everything in this life that matters to me. I love you and I always will.
Happy Anniversary,
Mark
Mark Brodinsky, Author, Blogger, Financial Services
Author: The #1 Amazon Best-Seller: It Takes 2. Surviving Breast Cancer: A Spouse’s Story
(http://www.spouses-story.com/)
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We love you both so very much and wish you a Happy Anniversary. Looking forward to celebrating with you!
Mom & Dad
Beautiful Story. May you all continue in paradise for another 120 years.