Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Nineteen Years Later

Ohmygawd, we were babies... not REALLY. I was 25. He was 29, but MAN... time hasn't been kind. I mean not bad... he really is only gray in the beard and has a full head of hair... but he is a little jowly... I have crows feet and laugh lines... and age spots (from my sun worshipping) and gray at the temples (there might be some forty extra pounds—that was one of my leanest times)... but I digress...

So nineteen years ago today I got up earlier than I wanted. The rehearsal dinner at Alexi's had included a little more wine than was a good idea, though the image of the belly dancer draping her shawls across my father-in-law-to-be still makes me smile—he's a darling little old man—and was, even then. (truth be told, the pictures show that he was a darling little old man by about age 40—at the wedding he was 68).

We went to the hotel where my parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. were all staying—you see we lived in Portland. All Mr. Tart-to-be's family was in Portland. Most of our friends were in Portland (and all the wedding party was at least in Oregon). So the decision was MY FAMILY had to travel. And other than one cousin and two of my step-siblings, they did, at least my mom's side, but that was always who I was really close to.

I remember opening some gifts at the hotel, eating some doughnuts... the day is a little vague... I know it was raining off and on... it being the end of November in Oregon and all... There were last minute prep things to handle... and then the bride's maids collected at the apartment I shared with Soon-to-be-Mr.Tart while he went... you know... I'm not sure where he went... Probably to Fat Mike's. The brother-in-law was Best Man, but fat Mike lived closer and was more likely to have an ample liquor supply... funny, after all this time that I don't know where they went. I trusted in the brother-in-law that he would be there on time...

At 3:00 we (the girls) walked to the church (yes, it was that close, and yes, this actual church, though it looks like they've done some grounds improvements since then—the building was always gorgeous, but outside wasn't this nice).

HA! second digression coming on: Mr. Tart and I are not particularly religious (in fact I have completely diverged since that time), but both of us had Presbyterian FAMILY ties. Since outside in November would be absurd, we decided to please our families... my grandma, in particular, was very pleased. /digression

We then got dressed, and then started pictures... three HOURS of pictures... My flowers were GORGEOUS—the gift of the family of my best friend and maid of honor: mom and aunts—her uncle had a florist license, helped them purchase and then they actually did them ALL—huge white lilies and lavender roses. Jessie, Marian and Martha, if you see this, you made it the prettiest wedding imaginable!

The dresses were awfully flashy, even by standards of coming off the 80s... but it was sure a gorgeous wedding party... Mr. Tart-to-be muttered “12 minutes” to me often... his goal for the length of the ceremony... I think it ran closer to twenty, but not unduly long... and then we headed... officially Mr. and Mrs. Tart, to the Laurelhurst Club for a long party...

It's never been easy, but on balance, it's been good. Mr. Tart balances my irrational optimism... ever the wet blanket of reality. He remembers we have children EVERY DAY, even if sometimes he has to vent about me forgetting it. I meet our financial needs (mostly) while he meets our tangible ones (feeding us, scheduling us, meeting our maintenance requirements...)

So I will just throw out a Happy Anniversary, Mr. Tart! I love you!

34 comments:

Stephen Parrish said...

Happy anniversary. And thanks for all the entertaining posts.

Jessica Bell said...

Aww ... Happy Aniversary to you both! :o)

Ted Cross said...

Congratulations! A few days ago I had my 15th anniversary. My the time flies fast!

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Happy anniversary! Cute picture of y'all. Sounds like you do provide a nice balance for each other. :)

Hart Johnson said...

Thank you so much everyone! Just wish it was a day off!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!
Sweet tarts stick together uh?
I send you very best wishes for a happy anniversary and an excellent, long, and happy future together.

All the best, Boonie

Mason Canyon said...

Congratulations on your special day and wishing you many, many more. Love the story and the photo is cute.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress

CA Heaven said...

That's a cute bride, and still going strong. Congratulations >:)

Cold As Heaven

Marty said...

Happy Anniversary, and many more!

Unknown said...

That is such a beautiful story.

Happy Anniversary to you and Mr. Johnson! May you both have many, many more.

You both look absolutely gorgeous in the photo.

*glomps*

Old Kitty said...

Awww HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!! You both look adorable!! And yay for the flowers that made your day even more gorgeous!!!

Enjoy your special day! Take care
x

Marjorie said...

Happy anniversary! Look how cute you two were! Don't worry you're still cute!

Jen said...

Happy Anniversary! Sounds like a wonderful memory!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Happy anniversary, Hart!! Nineteen years is an accomplishment.

Hart Johnson said...

Thank you so much everyone! I posted a comment since my last one, but it seems to have been eater... pesky Blogger... But y'all are making me feel warm and fuzzy, so thank you!

Sarah Ahiers said...

Syoopid blogger ate my first comment.
Congratulations! And also, everyone should set 12 minute wedding goals, even if they stretch to 20

Kristi Accola said...

Happy Anniversary!

Colene Murphy said...

Beautiful! Happy anniversary to you both! What a lovely, and funny(of course, because it is you after all) story! That church is gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Happy tartiversary! (Is that appropriate to say? Since it's a Tart anniversary and all. I figured I'd just abbreviate. We're all cool with that, right? Right. Thought so. Carry on, then!)

Cheeseboy said...

Glad you found someone that can balance out that irrationalities. I have the same thing going for me and it is such a luxury sometimes.

Happy anniversary!

Jane Kennedy Sutton said...

Thanks for the peak of your wedding – sounds like a fun day. Happy 19th Anniversary! May all your years together be full of love and laughter.

Southpaw said...

Happy Anniversary! You say your 25 and he’s 29 but you both look barely legal. I don’t think you told us enough about the bridesmaids dress though. Have a great day with Mr. Tart.

Golden Eagle said...

Happy Anniversary! :) That's a great picture of you both.

Helena said...

You both look gorgeous. Congratulations and happiness on your 19th Anniversary!

LTM said...

Happy Anniversary!!!! How wonderful. And what a sweet post. You know I love that baby picture of you up there. ;p And I had to LOL at him remembering you have kids "every day." :D <3

Creepy Query Girl said...

awe, you guys were adorable! Congrats!

I Must Be Off said...

Great memories. Happy anniversary, Mr. and Mrs. Tart! :)

N. R. Williams said...

Congratulations to you both. I was married by a Justice of the Peace. By preference, all dressed up with flowers and family. I was convinced if I had to walk down any aisle I would faint. LOL
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author

Ella said...

Happy Anniversary; You two are so cute love the photo! Loved all the tidbits you shared! Congrats, mine is coming up late this week! I hope you did something sweet or tart to celebrate!

Natasha said...

You do look like a child bride in that picture, not like a mature woman of 25.

Happy Anniversary, Mr and Mrs Tart- may your life be forever interesting.

And I loved the story of your wedding day!

Anonymous said...

Awww- I love the pic! Happy anniversary to the two of you. :) Nineteen years is quite the accomplishment and a very wonderful statement of partnership.

RosieC said...

Happy anniversary! That's a really nice picture :)

Ezmirelda said...

Happy anniversary Ms. and Mr. Tart!! You guys look like adorable together. :)

February Grace said...

Happy Anniversary!