Dear Reader Column 12-18-06

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Dear Reader,

My husband and I are celebrating today. Twenty nine years ago we were married by a Justice of the Peace. Nothing fancy.

"Do you take this good looking guy to be your husband?"

"Do you take this crazy woman to be your wife?"

(Remember Mr. Beecher, this is for better or for worse.)

"I do."

"I do."

And we were married.

No one threw any rice, but we did get a big bag of samples. When you're married by the Justice of the Peace in Dubuque, Iowa they give you a 2-foot long plastic bag filled with product samples--at least they used to 29 years ago. Things like miniature laundry soaps, shampoo, mouthwash, toothpaste, tissue, aspirin, potato chips, coupons and a trial sized can of pork and beans.

It was a strange wedding present, but also a blessing--what a memorable wedding story. And every year when my husband and I are celebrating our anniversary and we're retelling our favorite "remember when" stories, we always start with our bag of samples.

And then we remember what happened on our eighth anniversary. We always go out to eat on our anniversary--just a casual dinner. But that year we decided to get dressed up--I mean really dressed up. Suit, tie, long dress, heels, a stunning wrap around my shoulders and I even went to the hairdresser. All dressed up by five o'clock, but no where to go.

It was too early for a fancy dinner, so we decided to take a drive. I have no idea how it happened, but eventually we ended up at the mall. Yes, we looked a little strange all gussied up walking up and down the aisles of Payless Shoes, but we looked even more out of place when we ended up celebrating our anniversary at Wendy's.

We hadn't made a dinner reservation anywhere because we wanted to keep the evening spontaneous, but by the time we'd driven around town and spent time window shopping at the mall, it was eight o'clock and we were starved. And the first restaurant we saw was Wendy's. Oh, what the heck and we ordered two singles with cheese, fries and even ice cream frosties--after all it was our anniversary!

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com 
http://www.DearReader.com

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Comments

[Elaine Flinn]

Happy Anniversary, Suzanne! Your memories gave me a smile - my husband and I were married by a Justice of the Peace too - but we didn't get a goody bag! Lucky you!

And more congratulations for the 29 years - we're going on 47 (I was a child bride. :) )

[Shawnee]

I enjoy your book club(s) very much, especially your column at the beginning of each email. Just de-lurking to say . . . congratulations to you & your husband!