Thirty
six years ago, in the wee hours of New Year’s Day, my husband
proposed to me. We were staying in Taos, New Mexico, in a fabulous
adobe-walled hotel we’d somehow happened upon. Given the time of
year, the place was pretty empty, so the management gave us this huge
family-sized room, with something like five beds. We tried them
all....!
At the
time, we were a bit more than halfway through a three week road trip,
crossing the US from the East Coast, where he (and my family) lived,
to the West, where I was located. Needless to say, we were not taking
a very direct route! He was coming west to move in with me. We’d
known each other for about six months, but given the long distance
between us, we’d only spent a few weeks, total, in each other’s
company.
Nevertheless,
our relationship was so relaxed and easy, it seemed we’d been
partners for years. Our meandering drive across America was a magical
voyage of discovery. Taos was just another jewel in a sparkling
strand of amazing times together.
I
remember that New Year’s Eve was crisp, cold and unbelievably
clear. The stars were points of fire outside the windows of our room.
He held me, kissed me, asked if I’d be his wife.
I
laughed, kissed him back, and told him to ask me again in a year.
After all, we were intoxicated, with New Year’s champagne and the
thrill of our new love. Who knew what our future would bring? I
hadn’t planned on ever marrying, given the string of divorces that
marked my family history. I didn’t think it was necessary or
useful.
He
didn’t give up. Next New Year’s he repeated the question. My
answer was yes.
Our
love has been a great gift. We’ve had more adventures than I’d
ever dreamed (and I always had an active imagination). We’ve
enjoyed health and peace, laughter and inspiration. Like any couple,
we’ve had some difficult times, but overall we’ve been blessed.
He has
taught me many things. How to cook Indonesian food. How to solder a
circuit board. And how to say yes to life, even when I’m unsure. I
was a cautious, anxious young woman when we met, always worrying
about people’s opinions and analyzing my options. My beloved taught
me, by example, how to be spontaneous, to embrace life with open
arms.
How
else would I ever have been crazy enough to set off driving three
thousand miles with someone I barely knew?
Yes. I
am blessed indeed.
Happy
New Year to you all!
May
2018 bring you joy, peace and prosperity.
