Twenty-five years ago today, July 30, 1988, at 10:30 in the morning I married my best friend, best buddy, confidante, and partner for life Bill Stuart. It was a very simple, beautiful ceremony in the backyard of my parents' antebellum style home in my south Georgia hometown. We wanted an outdoor wedding and knowing how brutal south Georgia summers can be, we planned it for the morning. I remember vividly that the temperature at 10:00 that morning was already approaching 100 degrees but I never felt that because I was floating on the layer of air just below my feet. And 25 years later, I still am.
When Bill and I met, I was 30 years old, divorced with an 8-year-old daughter. He was 23. And at first, I wouldn't go out with him because of that age difference. How could he, a single never married 23-year-old, possibly "get" a 30-year-old with a child? But he did. He's always been wise beyond his years and it didn't take long for him to show me that our age difference really wasn't going to be a problem. I thank God every day of my life that he kept coming back to convince me that our relationship would work no matter what our ages were. And today, I never even think about it. I haven't since the day we got married.
How do you thank someone for 25 years? For investing the better part of their life to spend it with you? When Bill and I met I was a mess from bad decisions I'd made in my young adulthood. He loved me enough to help me put those things behind me and to put myself back together both financially and emotionally. He took on me and my daughter happily, even eagerly, and we became a real family. Bill has never thought of Laura as his step-daughter. She has always belonged to him in his heart and always will. And her children are as much his grandchildren as if his own blood ran in their veins. He would literally walk through fire for the three of them and I love him all the more for it.
And I'm going to tell y'all something I very rarely, almost never, talk about. In the 28 years we've known each other we've never had a fight. Never. Oh, we don't always agree on everything but we've just never found any disagreement important enough to exchange unkind words. We simply agree to disagree. Now, why don't I talk about it? Well...few couples can say that they've never had a fight. And what if I lose my temper one day and mess up that record...I'm not sure I could stand it. And besides, no one has ever believed me when I've said it :-) But it's the truth.
I wish all of you could know my Bill. He's an exceptionally intelligent, funny, generous, and charming man who deserves everything good in life. Here's to a wonderful 25 years together, sweetie. I can not wait to see what the next 25 brings! I love you so.
Lana Stuart is the author, photographer, cook, and occasional traveler at Never Enough Thyme. A former IT professional, she enjoys time in the kitchen and the art studio.
Melissa @ My Recent Favorite books
Congratulations on 25 years!! Many blessings for many more happy years together!
Sues
This is so sweet!! Congratulations on 25 years and heres to many, many more :) :)
Gen
Congratulations!! I have been reading for some time now and enjoy all your recipes and stories, especially this one, it is a sweet story but also because July 30th this year was also my 25th wedding anniversary, so cheers to you and yours!!!
Jersey Girl Cooks
Awww, very sweet! Happy anniversary!
Brenda @ a farmgirl's dabbles
Congratulations on 25 years. What a beautiful story you have, so blessed!!!
Kelly
What an incredible milestone! Sounds like he's a keeper. CONGRATULATIONS and Happy Anniversary to you both. Here's to 25+ more years! xo
DessertForTwo
So beautiful.
Your wedding dress is absolutely stunning. YOU are absolutely stunning.
And what a sweet, sweet story. Thanks so much for sharing :)
Kristen Duke
What a beautiful story! Happy anniversary to you both!
Carol G.
You are very blessed!.
Angie Southern Kitchen
awww....how sweet! What a wonderful story! I wish you both another wonderful 25 years together. Congratulations to you both!
Ioana
That was so BEAUTIFUL! Happy Anniversary to the both of you!
Mary | Deep South Dish
What a beautiful bride you were and a beautiful lady you are! This is such a sweet tribute to your husband. Now I feel guilty for fussin' with mine all the time. Just a little lol...
Congratulations on your 25th wedding anniversary Lana and many, many more to come!
Amanda
What a sweet post, you got me all choked up! Congratulations to the both of you!
claudie brown
Congrats. Your story is so joyful. What an inspiration the two of you are for the ones of us still looking for Mr. Right.
Peg
Awww ... thank you for sharing your wonderful story with all of us! Happy Anniversary to all of you - here's to at least another 25 years! Wait. Let's just make it 50 - and if you're alive to celebrate that 75th anniversary, I hope I'm alive to hear about it! ;-)
Lana @ Never Enough Thyme
Thank you to everyone for all the lovely comments. Tomorrow morning we start our next 25!
Miss P
Happy Anniversary! I remember when I first met Bill. We were having family Sunday lunch. By dessert, we decided he was a "keeper." Still is. You two are definitely good for each other.
May you continue to be blessed.
Miss P
Shelby
Isn't life and marriage wonderful and simple when you marry the person meant for you? The second 25 years just get better. We celebrated 50 years a month ago. You are blessed as are we. I enjoy your recipes.
N. Martinez
Happy Anniversary!!! I hope you have many many more. Your picture is jut beautiful. You are beautiful and your dress is so pretty. You guys make a nice couple. God has truly blessed you.
Sandy Hunter
Congratulations! And what a beautiful bride you were. Still are.
Thank you for sharing.
Marilyn B
I want to wish you a very Happy Anniversary! And thank you for sharing your story. Although I lost him to cancer, I was married to a man 15 years my junior and it never mattered a bit. We never fought once so I certainly do believe you. Many, many more wonderful years to you both!!!!
Michelle Schweitzer
HaPpY 25th and best wishes for 25 more and beyond! Scott and Michelle
Susan
I love your story! I married a wonderful man at 32 years of age, a widow with four young kids. He adopted them and loves them as his own.
We, too, have never had a fight. God has blessed us with 33 years of marriage. I can truly say that I am married to my best friend! I am blessed!
Mona
Happy Anniversary! I love reading your love story. I married a younger man too and it has never been an issue between us...our story is similar to y'alls but I cannot say we have never had a fight.. wink, grin... I admire you both..and wish you many more happy years together..
Love, Mona
Jackie Collins
Congratulations on your 25th. I too married my best friend. We were happily married for 59 years and I lost him this past May. I feel as though I am missing part of myself. Treasure each other every day that you have.
Neena
Couldn't keep from tearing up reading this. Couldn't ask for a better man for you to share your life with. Love you both.
Stella
What a beautiful couple. A real Fairy Tale I'd say.
Katy
Congratulations! I got lost in the picture of you and Bill as he held your chin on your wedding day! Your eyes said it all...I'm yours, Bill! The picture of the 3 of you on that same day is priceless! Thank you for sharing!
Blessings and God's grace on your lives! Katy
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos
Happy Anniversary to an amazing couple and to 25 more years of happiness!
Wendy
Your story gave me goosebumps. Congratulations to you both. And I wish you many more years of wedded bliss
Joan
Happy Anniversary!!!!!!! What a great life you have given each other and the daughter you two share. Good thing you didn't let the age stop you from a great decision!! Who made those rules anyway? Many more years of happiness!!
JD
A most hearty congratulations!
Sheridan
You brightened my day! Happy anniversary!
LindySez
That's a sweet story, lucky for both of you to have found each other. My husband and I have been married for 22 years, can't say we have NEVER had a fight, I can be pretty passionate about things and he can too, but we have always made our way back to reason and agreeing to disagree. He is also 7 years my junior, but I don't think that has any bearing on anything, he's my main supporter and also the love of my life.
Congratulations on 25 years and may you have many more.
Debbie Jennings
How lovely....congratulations to you both. Well, all three as I'm sure your daughter has been brought much happiness being surrounded by your love.
Angela Jenkins Stewart
Lana that was one of the sweetest "love" stories I have every read. Perhaps it made it even more special because I know Bill. I love receiving your emails and reading your blog! Please tell Bill hello from south Georgia!
Pat Brady
I wish you all a wonderful life together.
Barbara | Creative Culinary
Aww...how so very sweet. Here's to many more years Lana and Bill!
Marge fox
What a beautiful story. Happy anniversary.