For this special edition, all the French vocabulary is featured in the story (the sound file returns next week). Picture taken last month at Ecrins National Park in the Alps.
Today Jean-Marc and I celebrate 26 years of marriage. I had not planned to write un hommage (and was due to update you on a mother-daughter périple)… when I realized il ne faut pas manquer cette chance!
I would have liked to have composed a list of 26 Things (God knows that would be a colorful one!)… but I think I just need to start from here, and work with what I have–and that would be this growing appreciation. I may not always feel that or realize that (or even want to admit that)… but the truth is:
That my life is better because of him
That my heart is larger from loving him
That my soul is stretched forgiving him
That my mind is calmed in union with him
We may not always be better, loving, forgiving, or united with one another–but our hearts have somehow kept us on track. On second thought, The Grace of God has kept us on track. (I can’t speak for Jean-Marc here. But he might agree that une force mystérieuse has kept us together. Qu’est-ce que t’en dis, Chéri?)
My favorite question for married couples is, “C’est quoi votre secret?” More than the answer, I love how this question causes two people to look into each other’s eyes and suddenly light up. There is that unmistakable smile of appreciation. And it is better late than never. Mieux vaut tard que jamais.
I think if somebody were to ask me our secret I finally have the answer: During difficult times, just hold on. And, as often as possible, se regarder dans les yeux…et souriez.
Hands squeezed tightly 26 years ago, and still holding on today. To follow our intimate story of love on two vineyards, read along as we write our memoir, The Lost Gardens.
FRENCH VOCABULARY
un hommage = a tribute
un périple = journey
il ne faut pas manquer cette chance! = mustn't miss this chance
mon époux = my husband
une force mystérieuse = a mysterious force
qu’est-ce que t’en dis? = what do you have to say about that
mieux vaut tard que jamais = better late than never
se regarder dans les yeux = look each other in the eyes
et souriez = and smile
Ecrins National Park, in the Alps, one of the many French destinations I have had the pleasure to visit. Thank you, Jean-Marc! Happy Anniversary, Chéri!
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Congratulations, Kristi and Jean-Marc! You are an inspiration! May you have many more years of living, learing and LOVING together! ❤️
tres gentil
Beautiful post, Kristi! Congratulations and blessings to you both!
Another year of love! May you have many more years! Hold on tight! Is very good advice. We celebrated 61 this year and we hold on tight more each day!
Yes congratulations! In this world of much separation and divorce it is good to celebrate committed relationships through the valleys and the mountain tops! And thank you for introducing me to Ecrins National Park. It looks beautiful. I’m going to google it now. Merci kristi:)
Happy anniversary!
Heartwaming. You are both lucky. All the best.
What a beautiful, honest, heartfelt tribute! Merci mille fois!
Happy Anniversary ❤️ I love what you wrote and I can say the same we celebrated 55 years this year it is a journey with ups and downs and a few bumps .
Chère Kristin,
Beautiful words of wisdom in this turmoil of our lives…!
Joyeux anniversaire de ton marriage!!
Merci encore pour tes entrées continues !!❤️
Teresa
Felicitations!! Happy Anniversary to you and Jean-Marc, and to many more happy years and adventures together!! Bises
Congratulations to you both, may you have many more happy and healthy years together,
Val x
I believe learning to hold on together in the tough times is the best way to nurture a long marriage. Turning towards each other instead of away in these times has a way of connecting you on a deeper level. I’ve seen more than one divorced couple where everything in life was so easy and forthcoming I think they simply got bored!
Congratulations on your wonderful anniversary, may you have 26 more!
Hi Kristi and Jean Marc,
Happy Anniversary! I love the photos of Ecrins National Park! So beautiful!
You all look so sweet in your wedding photo! I bet you can’t believe 26 years have gone by!
Happy Anniversary! And many further blessings!
Many Congratulations 👍🥂
Oui, félicitations vous deux! I give you both a lot of credit. Long may it continue!
Happy Anniversary! You two have worked hard together and learned much about the other one, but also about yourselves. A wonderful thing about being with someone who knows and respects you even when there are differences. I’m very happy for you both!
Happy Anniversary! Thanks for your reminders of France!
Bon anniversaire de marriage, tout les deux. Bon courage, et bonne continuation.
Congratulations!! I am happy that you have found such happiness with each other and grateful that share your adventures with us. As someone who is divorced, trust me, divorce was not the “easy” way but the path that was right with my own adventures.
Felicitations, lovebirds. We celebrated 45 years this last Valentine’s Day and can’t wait for 45 more❣️
Beaucoup de bons voeux !
Happy anniversary! 🙂
So many congratulations!!!! Beautifully expressed, thank you for sharing, avec mon coeur , Linda
Felicitations! Best wishes to you and Jean-Marc on your 26th anniversaire de mariage. What a lovely and honest tribute to Jean-Marc and your years together. So much has happened in those 26 years, and you have both grown in wisdom and mature love. Here’s wishing you many more years together. Enjoy! La vie est précieuse et précaire.
Happy Anniversary. Never forget why you said “yes” to each other on your wedding day .💕🎂🥂
Jude v. 21
lovely
How lovely and sincere and wise.
My hat is off to you both.
Your love is infectious, expansive, and makes me smile across the sea from you.
Happy Anniversary. You have made it through some very tough times. It is evident you both work hard on your marriage and that’s what it takes for a long and happy life together.
Dear Kristi,
Such a moving tribute to Jean-Marc and to your marriage. Tears ran down my face as I read it. (Amazing how reading through tears can make the words clearer.) You both seem to allow each other to be who you are, being supportive all the while. It takes honesty, strength, resilience and devotion to do that. Your story is an inspiration to others. Wishing you a lovely anniversary!
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! You are a very special couple with two beautiful children
All the best to you and your wonderful family. May the next 26 years be even better!
Félicitations, Kristi et Jean-Marc!! Loved this post!
Joyeux Anniversaire!
Félicitations 🎊🎉🎈🍾!
Beautiful, just beautiful.
Joyous Anniversary!
Congratulation to you both. I’m retired and would love to have supported you with a much larger contribution. I simply wanted to celebrate your anniversary. I have enjoyed your candor and the chronicle of your family’s adventures. Thanks for all the years of writing when you didn’t “quite feel up to it”.
Oh-h how beautiful and inspiring! Thank you for sharing and bringing us into the love and lovliness of your lives. I think I was born a “romantic” and appreciate a lifesstory like yours!
Yes to this post! Well said, Kristi. Never stop looking into each others eyes and smiling. Keep your love on ♥ Marriage takes work, but is SO worth it! Félicitations!
Bon fête !
I have read this week about the happy marriage between the Ginsburgs, a true love story. Reading about yours seems to be another good story, with such different details, but just as many challenges to resolve.
Congratulations, lovely read.
Dear Kristin: Your wedding photo is priceless! thank you for sharing it! Yes, marriage certainly has it “ups & downs”; but, when one remembers why each one married the other, the “ups” win. So, keep smiling; keep looking into each others’ eyes & keep saying, “I love you just the way you are”. Fondly, Ann
Joyeux anniversaire de votre mariage!! You look the same as you did 26 years ago!
Take care and stay safe!
Bonne anniversaire de mariage, Krisi et Jean-Marc!
My husband Ken and I are a few months behind you, just passing 25 years. I could not agree with you more about le scret de mariage! Felicitations!
Always good to remind ourselves of why we married AND stay together. (for us, 39 years in November!!) In the end, of course, it is about love. Congrats!
Thank You my Beautiful Wife for your Lovely Tribute and Thank You All for the sweet messages
Peace and Love
I love the side-eye you’re giving the priest. You saucy bride, you.