Thursday, June 10, 2010

Marriage Twenty Years In The Making~ Photos Then And Now!


June 2, 2010 marked our twentieth wedding anniversary. Time sure flies, and so much has happened in twenty years. We were a stunning young couple back then, working hard for our future together. I can't say it has been total bliss, or a storybook marriage. There were times I thought to leave, but stayed because of my deep love for my husband and child. I couldn't survive in a loveless relationship, or one which lacks passion and intimacy. I think most couples go through rough times, and if they're lucky come out together even stronger and closer.

If I can say one thing we lacked was taking time for ourselves to nourish our relationship. Helping family, kids, and work always came first. It was almost if we eventually didn't have real time for each other.

If I could share a word of wisdom it would be make time, before it's too late. Before you just become friends, and not lovers anymore! That doesn't mean just sex either, although intimacy is very important too.

It's just the little jestures I miss, like the long French kisses, a hug now and then, and just plain hand holding! Yes I did marry my best friend, but I can find a friend anywhere. Like the Lady Gaga song goes "I want your love, I don't want to be friends!"

I want it all, just like so many other women out there, alittle bit of the fairytale dream wouldn't hurt!! No one is perfect and I'm far from it. It takes a lot of patience and love to stay commited to each other. True love will always prevail, and you must work at it!! I always like a good fight, making up is the ultimate pleasure!!


Still the love of my life even after twenty years. There is no other man I'd rather be with.

Before we left, I wanted to venture back to our special day at the church, where the wedding photos above were taken by the fountain. As you can see the water is not running! The Mother Mary statue is still as beautiful as it was then. I hope to rescan my wedding photos at a later time, as my scanner is getting old and my bigger photos came out distorted. The reason I had to use smaller images than usual. The photos have a special finish to preserve them, and my scanner picked up on the coating!



We celebrated with a long awaited romantic weekend last weekend. We took a long drive into Pittsburgh and stayed at the Sheraton Station Square Hotel where the Gateway Clipper tours up and down the three rivers.
It rained so hard the whole time we were there, and we were under tornado watches. We worried about home, as we're putting on a new roof!! The shot above taken from our hotel room dark clouds looming! The beds were very comfortable, and the room was very nice. We had dinner at McCormick & Schmick's, of course I had seafood, and the food was fabulous! My honey surprised me with a beautiful tiger ring, that I had wanted!

The Pittsburgh Pirate game was sold out, so we went to check out the new Rivers Casino.
The casino was beautiful inside, and part was still under construction. We needed a players club card to play the slots, and the line was at least an hour wait. So we just looked around and left!

We took a wrong turn on the highway and I saw my life flash before my eyes as we crossed three lanes of traffic. So glad to be back at our hotel, we decided to drive no further. We walked around Station Square, and the fireworks at the Pirate Game were lighting the sky. The Hard Rock Cafe was just down the block from our hotel, so we walked there! A band played Fleetwood Mac, and they were good, but the Doors tribute band wasn't so hot. We left and called it a night, after a couple drinks.



The weekend seemed to go so fast, just like the flash of the last twenty years. Glad to be back where the parking is free, and not $3.00 an hour. The city is beautiful to visit, but we don't belong there!! I belong here on the beautiful countrysides walking Sierra dog, along this beautiful dairy farm above. I'm older now, enjoying the peaceful life, here where natures view is always beyond breathtaking!!

14 comments:

Unknown said...

Jo,

Your wedding photos were so amazing and gorgeous!!! You looked really beautiful in your wedding gown.I really amazed for the first time I saw your photos.

Twenty years indeed a long journey.I can't said both Ken and I will make it thru but I really hope I can be the same like you after 20 years,proudly saying I had been married to this man for 20 years.

Your husband is a romantic man..Wishing you and your husband 20 years anniversary!!

Happy forever!!

Jo Janoski said...

Congratulations! And what a beautiful bride you were!

Jo A. T.B. said...

Thanks Jose, my wedding photos are stunning, and I wish they came out clearer. My wedding gown was quite expensive, and I saved a long time and made payments on it!! Yes wishing you and Ken may happy years together too!!

Jo A. T.B. said...

Thanks Jo time sure flies don't it!!

Dan said...

Congratulations! Excellent post, you captured the highs and lows in marriage, but more than anything it's about comprimise and hard work. I loved the picture of the farm and agree wholeheartedly.

ochikeron said...

Hi jo!!!

Congratulations :D

What a nice post!!! How romantic going back to the place after 20 years!!! Oh my god, you don't change!!! You are very cute and young since then!!!

Our 7 years are just the beginning... I can't imagine what we need to get over to stay together like you. I need to learn from you!!!

Thank you for sharing your nice wedding pictures :D Happy Anniversary!!!

Nazarina A said...

Jo,

This is such a romantic recollection of your wedding and the years that followed. You have not changed, by God, Asians really carry their age well. You are very cute and that wedding dress is so gorgeous!!You made such a beautiful bride and your husband too, is awfully cute and just so romantic by gracing you with the tiger ring...I can feel that he loves you still from that first minute he saw you! I think the ring is very much synonymous of the "tiger" still within him! LOL!
For some reason your union with your husband then seemed like a dramatic love story. He, the dashing and daring American running off and marrying Asian royalty!!!

I wish I had known that you were going to celebrate at McCormick's.
I would gladly have asked my brother-in-law for a free invitation for both you and your husband to dine there. My brother-in-law is one of the managers here in Denver and he would have hooked you up in Philly, had I asked him.
Anyway, there is always a next time.

Anyway, I got married in 2006 and can only hope that I will last as long as you!My husband and I are inseparable and still very much in love and a "journey" such as yours will make this bond even stronger!We almost did run away and marry. My parents wanted me to get married to a Muslim, he would not let that happen,so he accepted my Faith and the rest is history.

Jo A. T.B. said...

Thanks Dan, yes compromise and hard work for sure!! I walk that farm almost everyday, and it all goes uphill and when I stand at the top I feel like I'm on the top of world. The view is stunning from every angle!!

Jo A. T.B. said...

Thanks Ochi,

Thought you'd like this post as you're planning your wedding!! My dress also had a beautiful trane which I was able to take off! I paid a lot for it and made payments on it. The whole dress was sequined.

Jo A. T.B. said...

Oh wow Nazarina, you make me blush! Really I am aging I like to say gracefully, and have put on the pounds cause I just love to eat good food!!! :) Really the tiger ring is symbolic for my Asian sign the Tiger, and this is the year of the Tiger!!

We really enjoyed our dinner at McCormick's, food was really good!!
We went to the one in Pittsburgh!


You'll be surprised how fast the years fly by. Amazing for your honey to change his religion for you, that is true love!!

ozymandiaz said...

20 YEARS!
WOO HOO
keep up the good work
(and there is no better work than a loving relationship)

Jo A. T.B. said...

Thanks D.B.
"(and there is no better work than a loving relationship)"
Tell that to my husband the workaholic. Like Nazarina says "I wish I could bottle all that energy!" I always say save some for later! lol!!

Joyce Ellen Davis said...

Jo, you are soooo beautiful, then and now, inside and out...Happy Anniversary (a little late, but sincere)! I am proud to be your friend.

Loved the pictures and the post! xo

Jo A. T.B. said...

Thanks Joyce, I feel the same about you too! Time goes too fast doesn't it!

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