Our 27th Anniversary (& revisiting our Vows Renewal)

Cheri and I are celebrating our 27th anniversary this weekend.

It’s an extended celebration: The official date is 12 July. This year (2013) that falls on a Friday, and in any case we’re counting the entire weekend — and beyond — as our celebration. The festivities end when we say they end, not before.

This year it was a low-key affair. The only “public” component was our attendance at the monthly devotional program at the Knoxville Baha’i Center.

But we’re really, really good at celebrating by ourselves. On Friday, the official day, we went to Island Home park, sat together on a bench, and talked. (Call us party animals, but we do like to double down on a good time.) Here’s a cool photo of our view:

Island Home Park-med

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAWe also celebrated by reminiscing about our big shindig two years ago, when we renewed our vows (10 July 2011). The ceremony, held at our house, was attended by 80 neighbors and close friends. The air conditioner went out at the very beginning. We opened every window and turned on our whole-house fan, but it still was hot. Yet everyone stayed!

That occasion was the celebration of our silver anniversary. We’ve never before shared photos or video from that event, because this website didn’t, at that time, exist.

So let’s make up for lost time. Below is a snippet from one of the musical selections — the song “Don’t Know Much”, which about sums it up for us:

[weaver_youtube http://youtu.be/t4tdrzAPtMc modestbranding=1]

If you want to hear the entire song, skip below to the live performace by Aaron Neville (whom I obviously resemble) and Linda Ronstadt. Meanwhile, here are some never-before-shared photos from the Silver Anniversary celebration:

 
And now, the Neville/Ronstadt video. Doesn’t this music send delicious shivers down your spine!

[weaver_youtube http://youtu.be/iNX1JLRSiyg modestbranding=1]

 
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11 comments

  1. Congratulations with your 27th! I got married at that very same spot. Peter and I are going on our 9th year now. I’l be 76 by the time we celebrate our 27!
    Have a very happy weekend celebrating.
    Love you guys!
    Patricia

    1. Thanks, Patricia Visser. And yes, I well recall your nuptials with Peter Flipsen nine years ago, at our house. Just you, Peter, Cheri, and me. Very much the antithesis of the big-gala style of our vows renewal (and original wedding). But all the more thrilling and deeply moving for that. No wonder we’ve all stayed fast friends over the years.

  2. Love the pics from 2 years ago… and many congrats on #27! You all are amazing and wonderful. Love you both

    1. We missed you there, Jamil. But not to worry — we still have video of you at our wedding, 27 years ago, helping us open presents.

  3. Just lovely. Kevin and I watched both videos – the two of you and then Aaron & Linda. Great occasion; great song. Happy Anniversary yet again.

    1. Brenda, you worked hard to help make it a “terrific event”. And there you are in he photos! Please visit again, sooner the better.

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