I’ve been thinking about writing this post for a few days already and I’ve been stumped on where to begin.  Do I begin to tell you they first met when she was a baby and he a toddler? Do I fast forward to when they met again, 20 or so years later? Do I begin on their wedding day, 25 years ago today? No. This is not just a story.  It is not just a list of chronological events that brought us to this day.  No. It is much more than that.  It is a story about love.  More than a story, it’s a life.  A life story that began when 2 people vowed to love each other and stand by each other no matter what.  And, it just so happens that these two people are 2 of the people I love most in this world.  They are my family.  My sister and brother-in-law.
Norma and Javier were married when I was 14 years old, I stood in their wedding.  Being the moody teen I was, I’m sure I must have thrown some attitude or created some drama that day.  I speculate because I honestly can’t remember, but it does seem like something I’d do. I was awkward and a horrible teen, but I remember feeling so happy and proud that day.  I can’t really say why, since the day had nothing to do with me. I just felt happy.  I was happy to be a part of my crazy family, happy to be the bride’s sister.  I hope I let her know that day. I probably didn’t.  Well, I am now.

They celebrate their 25th year wedding anniversary today.  And again, I find myself feeling happy and proud.  Proud to call them my family.  They’ve been through a lot in their 25 years of marriage but it’s nothing they can’t handle together.  They stand by each other through good and bad.  While other marriages around them have crumbled through the years, theirs stands stronger than ever.  Their love and devotion to each other and to their family is evident in all they do.

In their 25 years of marriage they have lived in 3 different states, raised 2 sons, gone on cruises, and family vacations.  They’ve hosted countless dinners.  They’ve showered so many with their love and generosity.  From different hairstyles and hair loss (sorry I had to go there, Javier!) to the fashions that come and go, from Fast and the Furious to Pitch Perfect, these two know what it means to stick by the one you love.  They’ve laughed, argued, kissed, and danced together hundreds, thousands of times.

Tonight, I see them sitting in their backyard after dinner.  Javier turns on the fire pit, grabs a Heineken, makes Norma a vodka tonic.  They sit in silence, that good warm cozy silence that only comes from sitting next to someone you love and are completely comfortable and content with.  They sip their respective drinks, say happy anniversary to each other.  And I hope while they sit there that they talk about all the good that’s happened in their life.  That they reminisce about all the fun times they’ve had.  That they laugh at the funny stories.  But I hope they not only remember the good times but that they also dream together about the good times to come.  I hope they dream big about their future together and vow to keep on loving each other through the years ahead.

Happy Anniversary, Norma & Javier!  I love you both to infinity and beyond XO