1.03.2006

anniversary

Happy anniversary to us! Nineteen years ago today - January 3, 1987 - Allan and I began the grand experiment of our domestic partnership.

The day itself will always be memorable to us, as it was rather dramatic - and exhausting.

We had been a long-distance relationship, shuttling between Burlington, Vermont and Brooklyn, New York whenever we could afford it, racking up monster phone bills when we couldn't. We also wrote letters - actual letters, on paper, sent through the US Mail - as this, oh young ones, was in the Dark Time, before the IT gods sent us email.

In the summer of 1986, we decided it was time for a change. (Read: I couldn't take it anymore.) We picked out a logical date, saved money, counted days. Much like we did last year while planning our move to Canada - only last year we knew what we were doing.

On January 2, 1987 I flew up to Burlington for the last time. A blizzard had locked in all of New England. People were strewn all over Newark Airport waiting to get out. My flight was delayed for many hours, there was a rumour it would be cancelled, and then, amazingly, we were boarding. On descent, the plane was rocking back and forth at 30-degree angles. When we landed, people cheered. It was the last flight into Burlington before the airport was shut down entirely.

Meanwhile, most roads in the area were impassable. A kindly co-worker took pity on Allan and picked me up at the airport in his truck.

That night, we packed all of Allan's earthly possessions into a small U-Haul, then stayed up all night in a state somewhere between panic, terror and elation. The next morning, the vehicle was completely snowed in. It took us more than two hours to dig out, and we finally flagged down a plow to tow us off the driveway.

We left Vermont with Bonnie Raitt singing "Angel From Montgomery". We drove through an ice forest of frozen trees. It was quiet and beautiful.

Then a car skidded across the road into our truck. We have no idea where he came from - an elderly man, disoriented, on a completely empty road. Everyone was fine, although both vehicles were damaged, and we've always wondered what happened to that man.

We drove. And drove. The U-Haul was a stick shift, and I don't know how to drive a manual, so I couldn't take a turn. Allan had an injured foot from... well, I wasn't there, so I'll never really know. Something about drunken horseplay on Christmas, and a fat guy he used to hang out with. By the time we hit New York City, Allan's foot was swollen and he was almost in tears from the pain.

But we made it.

When I think back on those people in that U-Haul, I barely recognize them. (And not just because they were thinner and had more hair!) We thought we were adults, and in many ways we were, but we were still so young and stupid. We knew so little about what we wanted, what shape our lives would take. We just followed our hearts and hoped for the best. Which is maybe all anyone can do, and all you can ask of life.

And here we are, 19 years later, in our cozy little house, in Port Credit, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, North America, Earth.

* * * *

On a more practical note, the restaurant we chose for our anniversary dinner is still closed for the holidays. This doubles our fun: tonight we'll celebrate at home with champagne, munchies and music, and next week we'll go to Splendido.

15 comments:

Marnie said...

Happy anniversary! What a wonderful, crazy story. I'm glad you wised up over the years and chose "a logical date" in the SUMMER for your latest move. Have fun tonight.

James Redekop said...

We also wrote letters - actual letters, on paper, sent through the US Mail - as this, oh young ones, was in the Dark Time, before the IT gods sent us email.

You know, back then Lori was already working on email. Sure, it was UUCP-based bang-path email, running on machines with so little computing power we'd be embarassed if they were running our cell phones, but it was email. ;)

Happy 19th! Our 15th is the end of this month. :)

laura k said...

You know, back then Lori was already working on email.

Wow! We didn't own a VCR. We bought our first "real" (slightly larger screen, and colour) TV in 1989. When I taught myself how to word-process (which would become our bread-and-butter), I had to borrow a friend's home computer - and she was the only person I knew who had one. :)

Happy 19th! Our 15th is the end of this month. :)

Congratulations! Happy, happy to you, too.

Masnick96 said...

Happy Anniversary!!!! Many, many more!

Unknown said...

Happy Anniversary - such a lovely story.

Nicole said...

Congrats! Have a wonderful evening.

Ferdzy said...

Happy Anniversary! Here's to many many more!

Thanks for visiting my blog. I'm surprised to hear about Alternatives; they were really big about 10 years back. Ah well, retail is one heck of a tough business, and specialty food retail, well...

Oh, and The Gossiping Landlady is definitely the more wide-ranging of my blogs.

mkk said...

Laura, a very happy anniversary to you and Allan -- and many, many more! I, too, loved your story. Much love from both Marty and me to both of you!

Zoe said...

Loved your story. Happy Anniversary! :)

laura k said...

Thanks you guys!

Hey wtmc gang: mkk just celebrated her 30th wedding anniversary. She and my brother are one of the world's truly great couples.

Kyle_From_Ottawa said...

Off topic:
Here's two ways to tell you're in a different country:
Conservatives would reduce immigration barriers

"Harper bristles at patriotism question

Harper also responded to accusations that he is less patriotic than other leaders. "

Anonymous said...

Congrats!!!

Where better to celebrate than Canada!!!

laura k said...

Here's two ways to tell you're in a different country:

Oh very true! :)

Congrats!!!

Where better to celebrate than Canada!!!


Thank you G!! And: nowhere! We are home. It feels so good.

Kyahgirl said...

I loved that story! Happy anniversary L-girl and Allen :-)

Urban Chick said...

great story! and a belated happy anniversary

i am drooling now...i clicked through to the splendido website

can i have the chocolate hazelnut bar, erm, now (10.15pm), erm, delivered to my front door in london?

??!!