Bloggledygook: And They Said It Wouldn't Last.

Sherry and I mark our third anniversary today. Although we had been together for years before we married, never seeing the need to codify what we already knew, when we finally went ahead and said our vows, it seemed like the most natural, obvious thing to do.

Neither of us came to our relationship with a great amount of optimism. Each of us had a failed marriage in the background and a rather jaundiced view of long-term monogamy. And as we had started out as friends we enjoyed each other's company as friends do, while we were falling in love.

We moved in together and set up a cozy household, running a business together, moving into different career paths, ultimately becoming what we both had sought to avoid: a couple. So six years after we had melded furniture and books and cooking utensils into a home, I asked her to marry me and she said yes. We were married 11 months later in October, 2002 in South Beach, our sole witness being my daughter, Caitlin.

I am still surprised at how comfortable one can be with an arrangement one once held in mild contempt. There had been no plan or desire to make our union legitimate in the eyes of state or deity, and when asked why we did it when we did, we still shrug and say that it just seemed like the right time.

And so it was. I had thought that nothing would change once we returned home after our languorous wedding holiday, and truth be said, some things haven't. But those that have, have gotten better, deeper, stronger. In a good marriage, there is a qualitative mark that is a third thing made by two committed individuals that responds to attention and love.

We have come through some very difficult times and some very joyous occasions. No doubt we shall see more. But we will see them together, which is a great gift to be given.

I'm glad she said yes, and I bless each day since. Happy anniversary, Darling.