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• I see I am getting long-winded. Fast forwarding . . . we got married in 1990, lived in Chicago, I started college, first baby in ’92, next in ’94, our angel Terry in ’96 (we held him in the hospital as he died, I carried his little coffin and put it in the ground myself), next baby in ’97, we also moved to her hometown in ’97 (I had my own epiphany about the best place to raise my kids), and I started law school at the U of MO in Columbia (undergrad took me 8.5 years because I had to work to support my family so went to class nights and weekends, Mrs. TGP stayed home and took care of our beautiful kids). We had another baby in ’99 and the last one (I hope) in 2001. Total of six kids, three boys and three girls.

My dad now lives with us. Plus we have five dogs (big fucking house). Ray is in the Marine Corp, stationed in Japan. I just love this life and this woman to no end. So, to answer your questions, no, the ravages of time have done nothing but deepen the bonds of love and friendship. I have so many memories I had to pick just a few choice ones. I cannot imagine any richer life than the one I chose. My lady is my Queen, and I would kill or die for her (call me “beta” or whatever you want, I am a BAMFing cock-of-the-walk, and always have been), and I know she would kill or die for me too.

The only “secrets” I can think of is (1) pick the right one, and then (2) stand beside them like you fucking vowed to do, forever. The rest just seems to fall into place. We built a life around loving each other and having kids, and raising kids. We spend every evening together, sharing food, wine, beer, fireplace, still watching movies (no cigarettes since the Army). I mean, what else is there?

13Sassy6519 February 15, 2013 at 12:44 pm
Great post Susan. I’m really learning a lot from the comments as well. Thanks everyone! :)

14Susan Walsh February 15, 2013 at 12:48 pm
@Ted

But, what if the couple has been together for years prior to marriage? Does the actual act of getting married trigger a new passionate phase? I can see that it might being that the act of getting married is an emotionally fueled affair, but it seems that a couple that has already been through this phase wouldn’t necessarily have a second.

That’s a good question, I don’t know the answer. My husband and I lived together for about a year and a half before we married, but I never noticed at slump at either of the two-year points.

15davidvs February 15, 2013 at 12:53 pm
To help make February more romantic, I have been blogging each day about why I love my wife .

http://davidvs.blogspot.com/search/label/Why%20I%20Love%20My%20Wife

Not even halfway done yet.

16Susan Walsh February 15, 2013 at 12:58 pm
@Davidvs