Dateline: Hibbing, MN

June 21, 1975

Happy Anniversary to the woman who made me such a better person!  I continue to miss you deeply MK, especially on this important day!

Today would be 45 years together, but eighteen years ago brain cancer shattered our lives and your death ended our anniversaries side-by-side at 41. 

We met literally by accident when you smashed your hand in the vault at the bank where we both had mind-numbing summer jobs. Against all odds we struck up a friendship, even though both of us were engaged to others in our lives at the time.  When Fridays and paydays coincided, our infrequent lunches of a shared chef salad and vodka gimlets at Busters that summer sparked a friendship between us.  For me I fully recall what made me realize you were different.  It was during our first lunch when I first told you I’d been a student on Semester at Sea.  You asked me ‘tell me what that was like’, which no one ever had!  With you, I never knew what it was you saw in me, but you evidently did since we agreed we should meet for another Busters lunch in the future.

Within 15 months we’d be engaged and married 8 months later.  Quick, but as I think back I remember the phone call when we agreed while we didn’t know what was ahead, we’d rather face it together than apart!

I could go on and on today, but I’ve decided I’ll spend the day basking in my silent memories and recollections.

I’ll end saying thank you to an amazing woman who gave her heart to me, was willing to see some promise in me I didn’t know was there, and completed me in a way that brought amazing lessons, experiences, and love to my life.

Forever My Love, to you MK!