Happy 30th Anniversary Sweetie!

Tomorrow is my anniversary. I've been married, officially, 30 years!!! That is right - 30 years to one terrific, amazing man.

September 15, 1978 we were married by Doug's bishop, Brent Hatch in a civil ceremony. On September 15, 1979 we were sealed for Time and All Eternity in the Arizona Temple.
We have been through a lot in 30 years, good and not so good. Through it all I have not had to worry about Doug letting me ride the storm by myself. He has always been by my side through thick and thin.

Someone recently asked me what was my "secret" to a long marriage. Secret? There is no secret. One word ~ RESPECT! I love Doug very, very much, but I respect the man too. I am shown so much respect by him too. We respect each other and therefore the love is deep and genuine. I cannot imagine hurting him. Doing anything that would damage or destroy my eternal marriage with him. I love being with him, but I also respect his time that he needs to be alone. I love the man more than I guess I can explain in a simple little blog entry.

He proposed to me 31 years ago by taking me to the Temple grounds, sitting on "our bench" and popping the question. He had "buttoned" my engagement ring to his shirt. His nerves were shot and he struggled to "unbutton" his shirt to locate it. Once found, he got on his knees and popped the question. Well last night we drove past the Temple on our way out to eat and he drove into the parking lot, grabbed my hand and took me to our bench. He didn't get on his knees, but that didn't matter. He popped the question all over again. He placed the most beautiful Anniverary ring on my left hand.
He started a tradition after the first year of marriage. He would give me one rose for every year of marriage. So on Friday he gave me 30 red roses (yes I counted them).

Of course if I had to do it all over again, I would!!! I am so grateful for Doug. I appreciate all that he has done for our family. He is my entire world and I am blessed. I love you Doug!