A Momentous Occasion

Lots of stuff has happened on June 24th. Napolean began his invasion of Russia. A plane crashed at JFK airport, killing 113. Grover Cleveland died. John Cabot landed in North America. The first widely reported claim of a UFO sighting happened near Mt Rainier, WA. Jack Dempsey and Roy Disney were born. It's midsummer celebration in England, and the Nativity of St. John is celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church.

I really had no idea this was such a momentous day. When we chose June 24th, I think it had more to do with a Seven Brides for Seven Brothers song than the importance of the day itself. It was a day that the church and pastor were available, and we thought as many of our friends and family as possible would be able to attend.

But, is there really a more momentous thing than the affirmation of eternal love? Is there a more joyous occasion than the joining of two souls who are a perfect match? Can you think of a better event to celebrate than the completion of two independent people?

It's been 9 years since Misha and I were married, and I've been working on my list of 9 things that I love about her. I love her kindness, her ability to make people laugh, her clever use of words, her depth of understanding, the way children are putty in her hands, her disarming way. I could listen to her sing for days on end, to her stories for hours at a time, and I love the way she looks at me just so. But all of these things, as much as they mean to me right now, are just a drop in a massive bucket compared to the infinite depth of my feelings and love for her.

I would, like Porgy, push my cart to the ends of the earth for Misha. 9 years ago, my life began, and I have been growing more in love with my wife every day since. It may not be celebrated by millions of people around the world, or remembered for it's significance in world history, but on this day, 2000, Misha Perkins married me, and I have been better for it ever since.