30 years go by, in the blink of an eye

Our rehearsal dinner

Thirty years ago today, I walked down the aisle with this handsome guy. We’d met less than a year earlier, and had a whirlwind romance that had me saying “I do” in the blink of an eye. I was so smitten; I just knew he was the one.

Meet Mr. and Mrs. Scott Gauldin!

Fast forward three decades, and it’s hard for me to comprehend the life that we’ve built, the adventures we’ve had and the family that we’ve created. I’m not sure what I imagined our life would be like, but I couldn’t imagine spending it with anyone else. What a wild and wonderful ride it has been!

In the past 30 years, we’ve…

Had and raised two smart, silly, beautiful kids who’ve grown up to be kind, funny and caring adults. This will always be our biggest accomplishment and the one that brings us the most joy.

Lived in Independence, Kansas City and Smithville, Missouri, and Glenwood Springs and New Castle, Colorado.

Picked up and moved our family from Missouri to Colorado. Twelve years later, packed up and left our home in Colorado to travel the country in an RV.

Traveled 23,000 miles through 27 states in said RV before settling back down in Colorado.

Survived the empty nest.

Had jobs that included construction, banking, finance, customer service, advertising, marketing, public relations and retail, and both been unemployed twice.

Had eight dogs, two horses, eight cats, lots of fish and one unbelievably smelly hamster.

Survived eight surgeries between the two of us, including my knee replacement while living in the RV.

Gone exploring by car and by foot and on Harleys, skis, snowshoes, snowmobiles, jet skis, boats, kayaks, canoes, cruise ships, bicycles, horses, dirt bikes and ATVs.

Traveled from coast to coast and to the Bahamas, the Caribbean, Ireland and Scotland.

Mourned the loss of loved ones and celebrated the births of new family members.

Laughed until we cried, then laughed some more.

Bought a liquor store. Never saw that one coming!

Supported each other through thick and thin, richer and poorer, in sickness and in health. Just like we promised.

Created a lifetime of memories and made some dear friends along the way.

…and I wouldn’t trade a moment of it for anything.  Thanks for 30 incredible years, Scott. Cheers to the next 30.

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