Forty-five years ago today. Has it really been THAT long?

[DFW]

A dark, smoky cabaret in what was then West Berlin. A girl I had chatted with the night before told me she was going to China the next day, but I should meet her girlfriend who was working in Berlin that summer.

I said, "sure, where is she?"

She said, "right here," and leaned back. The vision I saw took my breath way, and I couldn't figure out why a dozen other guys weren't trying to hit on her already (they were, I just hadn't seen it).

For some reason, she seemed to like talking to me, and I managed somehow not to make an idiot of myself. She was from the rural farm country of the northwest, and she had never met an American before.

That was July 25th, 1974. Exactly 45 years ago today. We were both 22 years old.

Then her first visit to the USA in 1975:
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Her/our first trip to the Caribbean, 1981:
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Married in 1982:
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With two new additions by 1994:
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Cape Cod 10 years ago, 2009:
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And New York City, to celebrate one daughter's wedding, less than a week ago:
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Many interesting places visited in-between, met presidents, legends, but mostly a lot of cool ordinary mortals like ourselves, like you.

And then there is tomorrow and the next day. The circle of life............

[underpants]

1. Congratulations

[DFW]

5. Thanks!

Back then, I was the first American she had ever met that spoke her language.

Neither of us ever imagined still being together a 67. Who, at age 22, can imagine being 67 at all?

[redstatebluegirl]

2. Congratulations!

Thank you for a story that warmed my heart today!

[DFW]

6. Now you know why I don't play the lottery

There is no greater prize left to win.

[Me.]

26. ...

[elleng]

3. Congratulations!

Wonderful as ever, to see you and your family pics!

[MicaelS]

4. Absolutely.

I love it when he post pics, and tell stories.

[DFW]

8. I left out most of the stories this time

I have told most of them often enough here

[DFW]

7. Thanks Ellen! n/t

[smirkymonkey]

9. Congratulations DFW!

What a great story!

She looks a lot like a young Liv Ullmann in that 1982 photo. She's very beautiful!

[DFW]

13. My greatest fortune is that her inner beauty is at least as great

Three DUers have met her (California Peggy, Lionel Mandrake and Steve2470). They will tell you the same thing.

She has undergone two brutal rounds with cancer in the last 20 years, but you wouldn‘t know it from looking at her or talking to her. She beat it twice, and moved on. No lingering anger or bitterness. They just aren‘t in her repetoire.

[smirkymonkey]

15. That's even better! I am glad that she is now happy and healthy.

You are a very lucky couple!

[lpbk2713]

10. Lucky guy!

[DFW]

12. I never forget that for a second

See post #6

[MustLoveBeagles]

11. You have a beautiful family

Congratulations on the anniversary and your daughter's wedding.

[DFW]

14. Thanks!

We are pretty happy how our girls turned out. We tried to raise them to be as independent as possible, and there‘s no manual for that.

[TEB]

16. Awesome congratulations

[DFW]

23. Thanks!

I‘d say that I/we lucked out more than anything else. But if it‘s possible for a nerd like me, then it‘s possible for anyone.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

17. My dear DFW!

Congratulations on this wonderful trip you're on! I've seen the photos before, and heard the stories too.....and you know what?

I still feel so much joy for you both, every single time.

Thank you for having shared your life with all of us lucky enough to know you!

May your journey go on for many more years.

[DFW]

19. Thanks, Peggy

As one of the few on here who know us personally, you know exactly what we are celebrating. So simple, so unique.

[Floyd R. Turbo]

18. Man! You hit the jackpot! ✌🏻

[DFW]

20. You'll get no argument from me on that.

That is one reason I don't gamble. What bigger prize is there to win?

[sarge43]

21. Beautiful family, DFW. Y'll done good.

[DFW]

22. Just followed SOP

To the extent that there is one!

[friendly_iconoclast]

24. Congratulations to you both!

[Gidney N Cloyd]

25. It's been great listening to you on DU share your personal story, as well as your political insights

[DFW]

34. I think you will find enough on DU who find my political insights to be pure garbage

So, I appreciate the vote of confidence!

[FM123]

27. Congratulations on your beautiful love story!

[DFW]

38. It all seems to have gone by in a blur. I look at old photos and ask:

Was this really us? Were we really there?
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But yes, it was, and yes, we were.
And now, we are here for five more days of tranquility.:
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Then, it's back to the real world for another 11 months!

[FM123]

42. Oh, I just love all your pictures DFW!

[DFW]

43. They represent a span of a few decades, don't forget

I don‘t meet all these people every week for Sunday brunch!

[WheelWalker]

28. WTG.

Blessings.

[DFW]

39. I've had my share

I don't forget for a second that I lucked out in many ways.

[DonaldsRump]

29. Congrats! n/t

[DFW]

40. Thanks!

Now, just another day. Back then--who could have imagined?

To her, North America seemed as far away as the dark side of the moon.

[Karadeniz]

30. You're both so lucky to have met that night! Congratulations!

[DFW]

37. Karma smiled on me that night

Instead of two ships passing in the night, this time they both stalled at the same time, in the same spot, and with their lights on. Fate decided to cut me a break. I didn't need to be asked twice.

[NBachers]

31. You have a special way of making us all feel like we're part of the story with you. I'm glad to be

along for the ride. You are surrounded by beauty, grace, and intelligence.

Thank you for making your good fortune, our good fortune.

[DFW]

36. If I could bottle it

I'd be glad to pour everyone a round.

[Docreed2003]

32. Congratulations to you both DFW!

[DFW]

35. Thanks!

Sometimes you experience the most important day of your life, and have no clue that's what it was until much later.

[MFM008]

33. Very sweet

[DFW]

41. Thanks!

She does make it easy. I've never met another person like her.

What she saw/sees in me, I still have no clue.