Thirty Years Ago Today

Like most guys, I’m not good at remembering dates. This one won’t be forgotten. Thirty years ago today, November 26, 1983, Helaine and I got married. Best decision ever. I married up!

No one’s perfect. I’ve proven that. But in the last year I’ve truly realized how in love I am… how in love we are.

Love thirty years in is different than love near first sight. We know each other in great detail. I love Helaine for things that take decades to learn and appreciate.

Don’t misunderstand. Those things that originally drew us together are still there. They are now part of a fuller relationship.

We drove cross country five months ago. For parts of six days over 2,800+ miles Helaine and I sat next to each other. I was driving with my closest confidant and best friend. The trip was never boring. She made the time fly by.

We’re in California now, trying our best to establish a new life. It’s an experience I wouldn’t have with anyone else.

Our best years are still ahead. I wrote that in a card she’ll see later today. I mean it from the bottom of my heart.

There are no guarantees in life. Sometimes you strike out. Sometimes you get lucky. I’ve been very lucky for thirty years.

31 thoughts on “Thirty Years Ago Today”

  1. Geoff, congratulations to you and Helaine on 30 years together. Hope you can double that! I still follow your daily posts, (and miss you in CT!)

  2. Happy 30th Geoff & Helaine! Jay & I celebrated our 30th this past June in Disney (FL). He’s the best thing that ever happened to me, best friend & confidant, & the journey has been a roller coaster, but I wouldn’t do it any other way. He has supported & championed me through it all, & I still adore him. As you say, the best is yet yo come.

  3. Congratulations on your 30th Anniversary Geoff and Helaine! My husband and I also celebrated the same milestone in June. What had a rough couple of years with a sick daughter. What we learned is that if you have a solid foundation and love each other unconditionally, you can weather any storm. All the best for many more happy years together!

  4. Congratulations!!! and you are a true romantic at heart… 30 years is AWESOME in today’s world… and a great example to your friends and family. We celebrate 38 years together tomorrow…

  5. Geoff, although I’ve never met you or Helaine, I consider you both dear friends. You spent every evening with my family. You used to tuck us in at night and told us what to wear. My mother watched you faithfully til the day she died at 87. We mentioned you in her eulogy and made the congregation smile! Helaine sent me recipes ! We’ve traveled around with you guys by blog!! Now we have friends in Cali! I want to wish you both a fantastic anniversary and lots of love and light!!! Enjoy every moment, guys! Love, Evi. <3

  6. Congratulations to both of you! We just celebrated our 30th anniversary in October. I truly understand what you mean about love being different thirty years later when you’ve shown each other in so many ways how you love them. I found a quote that I used in the toast I made at our daughters wedding in 2012 that said years from now when you look back on this day, you will realize that this was when you loved each other the least. I felt that said it all.

  7. Congratulations to both of you. I had that type of marriage for almost 36 years. It is a unique and wonderful experience, especially in these times.

  8. Happy 30th anniversary-and many more wonderful years to come. My hubby and I have been married 15-but both were widowed young so do understand the different priorities as we get older-and love that I too will grow old(er) with my best friend!! Your post brought a tear to my eye-Helaine and you are very fortunate!!!

  9. Congratulations, Geoff. My husband and I made it to 39 years before he died nine years ago in a tragic accident. Like you I was really lucky to have had him in my life and miss him every day.

  10. Congratulations to you both, it takes two very special people to make a forever commitment …..every day is a gift …every year a blessing…just keep on hugging and hold on tight….the trip is waaaaaaaay too fast, but so much better with the love of your life by your side….

  11. Happy 30th anniversary to you and Helaine! Treasure every moment with her.This past summer my wife of 31 years passed away after being sick for many years, during which time I was her main caregiver, along with some CNA help, which allowed me to work part-time. I was holding her hand and comforting her when she passed, and I don’t regret a moment of it. Although I feel like someone cut both of my arms off, I am also comforted by the fact that I did all I could for her. I did treasure every moment. Life is short. Be the best you can be for her.

  12. Congratulations to you and Helaine on 30 years of marriage. This is a definite milestone to be proud of and thankful for. I am a bit envious, because as I told you in September, I lost my husband Paul then. It has been very sad without him. But I know we savored every moment of the time we had together, and you have many more years to do just that. Bless you both. You are really good people.

  13. Congratulations Geoff and Helaine. It’s good to have a friend and lover for a spouse. Nel and I are coming up on 21 years of marriage. 18 of those years she’s had a brain damaged husband whose earning ability is about a fifth of what it was yet we get by, respecting and loving each other. I wish for you the love we have.

  14. “For better, for worse,” they say. You guys have shown us this is no joke. Enjoy your sunny time now, you deserve it. Happy anniversary.

  15. I’m thinking your wife made many sacrifices for your career over the years…I hope you appreciate her now. I’ve been in her place. You know you are blessed in that she choose to stay with you after the humiliation. I hope you make every effort to atone and show it to her.

  16. Mazel Tov!
    My husband and I will celebrate our first wedding anniversary early next month… I waited a long time to find the right guy, and I know I have. It’s a wonderful thing to know you’re married to your best friend…

  17. Mazel tov! Glad to read your beautiful post. I’m at 29 years & counting. My best to your parents. Be well my friend from a lifetime ago.

Leave a Reply to Wendie Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *