17 YEARS!!!!

Seventeen years ago yesterday I said “I do” to my incredible wife. Yes, it has been 17 years already; it does seem like a blink of an eye because I can remember that day just like it was yesterday, heck even better than yesterday!!! It was a beautiful Autumn New Jersey day sandwiched between two dreary Autumn New Jersey days. I woke up that day just like I woke up yesterday and headed to the gym. I was explaining our wedding day to our 11 year old and she asked, “Who works out on their wedding day?” Yes, her Dad worked out on his wedding day and my son chimed in with an answer to this question, “Daddy was looking good for his wedding!” Wow how did I get so blessed with such an incredible family???

Back to that day 17 years ago and I do need to put it all in the proper context of my compulsive gambling addiction. I was in the midst of my second bout of my compulsive gambling addiction and I wasn’t the “usual” compulsive gambler because I wasn’t going to ruin my wedding day by gambling. I knew enough (but certainly not enough!!) that I couldn’t mess up my wedding day and I thought I could just stop gambling. Oh yes, that worked for about three weeks but I went right back to my old behaviors. Thank God for Gamblers Anonymous because it has been 4 years 7 months and 14 days since my last bet and I know if I follow the guidelines of the program I will make it 4 years 7 months and 15 days. I didn’t know about this 17 years ago and hey maybe things would have been different but everything continues to work out the way it is supposed to work it which is wonderfully.

It has been quite a ride these past 17 years and I am so fortunate to continue to spend each day with my wife. She had every right to abandon ship when all hell broke loss over 4 years but here we are. We spent most of the day on the softball and baseball diamond. First was the softball game and our team didn’t fare too well. Additionally there seemed to be some dissension in the ranks of the players and I was feeling the full affects of being a head coach for 11 pre-teens that some seem to be battling much bigger issues than fielding a softball. I have a sneaking suspicion everything will work out for the best or at least the way it should it be but it will be an interesting ride for the next month. Then it was time for the baseball diamond and my son finally got his first hit this season. It was a grounder to third and he was so proud of himself. The rest of his game went well and the day was finally over.

The children were taken care at their friends’ houses last night while my wife and I went out for a very nice dinner. We made our way to a new restaurant for the special occasion. The food was great and so was the company. We had a great time and it was a wonderful way to spend our 17th wedding anniversary talking the night away. The night ended supremely as the children came home from their friends’ houses. As I laid down I had a shiver come across my body savoring every moment of the past 17 years and knowing how blessed a person I am. Wow; my life is certainly incredible!!!