HAPPY 50 PLUS 5 FOR US!

(Us, as we were a few weeks before we got married)

Today is our Fifty-FIFTH wedding anniversary!!! How is it possible that five years have passed already since our 50th anniversary party, planned to perfection by our children and grandchildren? I wrote a series of blog posts leading up to that occasion. You can read them

here, here, here, here, and here.

Today, though, is a good opportunity to reflect on the joys, successes, travels, family additions, and events of the last five years, as we increasingly acknowledge that each year, month, week, and day we have together is a gift.

A few years ago, we were in Auburn and decided to try to find our very first home. It's still there!!! A mobile home at Barran's Trailer Park on Wire Road, not far from the vet school. It was 10' by 50', and we thought it was the Taj Mahal. :) It's been here so long that trees and bushes have grown up around it, and much work would have to happen in order for it to be moved. I think it's important to remember "the way we were."

Since March 20, 2021, we've added FOUR new family members to our tribe. Oldest granddaughter Allie met, fell in love, and married Zechariah Freeborn, and they have two beautiful sons, Teddy and Andy. Julie and Brian had their 11th child, John Mark. Now, when we all have a rare chance to gather, there are TWENTY-SEVEN of us!!

We hosted a couple more Cousins Camps and three Skittles Camps, then grabbed the chance to take a few at a time on short trips: Luke and Margaret to Branson, Seth and Nathan to Cincinnati, and Birti, Megan, Penelope, and Rosie to Gatlinburg and Dollywood. Memory-makers for sure.

Four graduated from high school since 2021 (Luke, Nathan, Seth, and Margaret), and another is a senior (Birti) this year. They are scattering to the four winds. Luke is at Belmont, Nathan is at Mississippi State, Seth is at Auburn, and Margaret is heading to Japan for a year to be a tutor for the children of missionaries.

Our children and their spouses continue to thrive. A HUGE blessing. Laura with her teaching, her teenagers, and her ambitious plans for the future. Matt with a new pastorate, two in college and one who will start in the fall. And Julie with her 11 children, 2 grandchildren, homeschooling, and gift of hospitality. We're amazed and so proud of all of them.

Steve and I have taken several "just because we can" trips -- Ecuador, Greece/Turkey, Sanibel Island, Arizona/New Mexico, Maine/Vermont/New Hampshire/Upstate New York, St. Marys GA, Dahlonega GA, and points of interest in Mississippi (Ocean Springs, Biloxi, Hattiesburg, Jackson, and Meridian).

Then, there's been the writing. I've had two books published with two more currently in the hands of publishing companies, and we've co-authored one about Cousins Camp. You can find most of those books on this website -- https://www.theregoesconnie.com/shop?page=2

We continue to absolutely love our church and Sunday School class (First Baptist in Decatur). The friends we have there enrich us so much, and we are challenged to keep growing in our spiritual lives.

We are ever so grateful for our good health. Thank you, God!!!

Steve will retire AGAIN next Wednesday, after devoting 60 years of his life to vet school and then practicing veterinary medicine in his own animal hospital, in South America, in the corporate setting, then working in clinics owned by other veterinarians. It's been a career that he has been well-suited for, but now it's time for other pursuits and perhaps another identity.

Life can change so quickly. We pray that we won't waste this stage of our lives and vow to enjoy and appreciate it fully. We also vow to keep loving each other deeply and thoroughly

"as long as we both shall live." I love you, Steve Pearson. Happy Anniversary to my Silver Fox.

(Us, now. Let's say we've "evolved" rather than aged. :))

#autobiography #anniversary