Forty-Five Years and Counting

Dear Liza,

It is the Winter Solstice again, and I am remembering marrying your Grandpa Nelson back in 1974.

We met and dated in high school. My best friend had a crush on his best friend, so he and I spent a lot of time walking behind them as they flirted with each other, making faces and talking about life.

When he went off to Long Beach State, I followed, and that year during winter break, we got married. It felt inevitable, like the thing that was supposed to happen next. As it turned out, it was. We were, and are, a good fit.

We moved to Eugene, Oregon, had your Daddy David and Auntie Katie, went broke, and moved to Salinas. Grandpa started a business and I taught other people’s kids. We never fought about money, because most of the time we didn’t have any to fight over.

Once our kids were grown, we got to do other stuff. Grandpa Nelson started sailing in the Monterey Bay. I took a writing class and met dear Kitty Petruccelli who encouraged me to continue writing.

While helping Kitty move (three times in two years) I met Auntie Bridgett. We became friends and, after a few years, she and Grandpa Nelson and I decided we should all live together and take care of each other forever. Again, it felt like what was supposed to happen next.

That was twelve years ago next week, so my two anniversaries are just eight days apart. I am a very blessed woman to have such loving people in my life, my house, and my heart.

Love,

Grandma Judy