50 years -- not done yet

Fifty years.  Not a birthday. Fifty years of marriage.

When Tim´s parents celebrated their golden wedding anniversary, fifty years seemed like a very, very long time to be together. And it felt very far into our own future. But we blinked, and now Tim and I now find ourselves at this milestone. Today, fifty years of marriage feels more like a mid-point, as if we will have another fifty years together. (Yes, you may laugh.)

How could we two babies have guessed what was in our future?

Today we will go to a beach here in central Portugal, where we will reminisce how we first committed our hearts to each other in 1976 on a beach in Mexico. (Very romantic!) We were both teaching on the Navajo Nation and went south from snowy Tsaile, AZ, to the warmth of Mexico during spring break with some teacher friends. That special day together on the beach was a proposal and engagement, launching the trajectory of our shared life. The day remains vivid in my mind after all these years.

Best friends, married 50 years ago today.

Today we are reflecting on some highlights of our lives:

Living on the Navajo Nation and the Hualapai Reservation, then moving to Southwest Utah. Cherishing prescious memories raising our children, Meghan and Cory.

Camping, backpacking and whitewater rafting in stunning wilderness areas.

Twenty years hiking in the Andes Mountains in service to native Q´ero communities.

Summers full of adventures and fun with our grandkid, Joey.

Many trips to beautiful places. Our 2022 move overseas to Portugal. And, of course, our friendships: friends who have crossed over and friends who remain close. We cherish YOU!

Today Tim and I acknowledge our strengths and talk about our hopes for the years to come. We started this anniversary expressing our gratitude for the life we have built together and for each other. May the rest of this life together be guided by gratitude. Always.

Oh, yes, and we will continue to goof around. Of course. : )

Love to all, as always, imaging a better future and we embrace each day with love. Penelope and Tim

P.S. Today is LOVING DAY, recognizing the American couple who won their case in the Supreme Court in 1967 for the right to be married, despite Virginia state laws prohibiting mixed-race couples from marriage. Learn more.