On January 28, 2008 my wife, Ginger, and I celebrated 25 years of marriage. We often talk of our “escape” on the evening before our wedding. We had a lot of college-aged friends and were used to pulling pranks on each one that were about to “get hitched.” The only thing was … we were next!

So we sneaked away from our Rehearsal Dinner party and headed to our favorite place, the beach. It was already dark and we took what would become my inheritance from Ginger — a Baja VW Bug — and drove through the sand along the surf line. It was a nice break with laughter — silence — contemplation about the future — and hanging out with my best friend.

We returned a few hours later to the real world. it’s amazing how THAT story is so engrained into our marriage. “This night 11, 14, 18, 22, 23, now 25 years ago …” we always begin. And we reflect upon the time that marks a milestone of beginning in our amazing journey.

Here’s to you … my best friend!