Today is our wedding anniversary. Although my wife’s mind no longer recalls that special day, I remember the vows we made to each other-

to have and to hold
from this day forward
for better for worse
for richer for poorer
in sickness and in health
until death do us part

I don’t think anyone can really anticipate “for better for worse, in sickness and in health.” You just do your best and gut it out when the stuff hits the fan. That said, I don’t think you can really appreciate the intimate immensity of committed love until you have suffered through such trials with a partner.

What I most remember about our wedding day was thinking that my wife was the most beautiful woman in the world and that I’d never seen her so happy.

I’m now blind and she has dementia, but my wife is still the most beautiful, radiantly joyful woman I’ve known. She has pushed me to be a better man and given me more blessings than I’d ever imagined.

Happy anniversary to us!

tio stib

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marriage, caregiving, dementia, Alzheimer’s, commitment, partnership