our sixth anniversary — the steak and ice cream one

Six years ago yesterday, Jude and I moved to the farm.  She and Nathan followed

me down the half-mile driveway on a lovely day.  I remember it vividly, and that’s

good because when I tried to immortalize the moment by recording it on our

camera, the battery crapped out.

We didn’t really have much to move that day.  Nearly all our furniture, clothing

and household goods were waiting patiently (I assume) in storage in the Belling-

ham, Washington, area, as we tried to weave our way through the labyrinth of

customs and immigration regulations.  That wouldn’t be resolved for 4 months. 

We were endearingly ignorant of how cold our first winter would be here.  We 

had to scramble for firewood, and the house was poorly insulated.  The only 

warm spots we could find were near the woodstove and cuddling in bed.  We

enlisted Roameo and Slinkee as blankets and foot warmers.

Our neighbours, who were becoming our friends, told us in the spring that we’d

had a typical winter.  We knew then that we could make it here.  That, too, was

good because we’ve had two truly rough winters since.  But now we have enough

firewood for two years.

These last six years have clearly been the best of my life.  Not only have I been

able to spend them with a woman who grows more lovely and loving every day,

I spend them in the most serene spot I’ve ever seen.  And I’m surrounded by the

friendliest, funniest folks one could find.  Anchor struck.

I called Jude at work yesterday to remind her of this landmark.  I said, “I think

the traditional gifts for this anniversary are steak and ice cream.”  She didn’t have

time to verify that, so she brought some home and we had a fine meal.  My beloved

Giants even contributed to the celebration with a hard-fought 7 – 5 win over the

Atlanta Braves.

Today I looked up what the actual gifts for this anniversary are.  I really wasn’t far 

off.  It’s iron and candy.