Today, September 28, marks the 28th Wedding Anniversary of my late husband, Rich, and I. He would pass weeks later on the 28th of October. 

This time of year is filled with all those “trippy” memories and images. We’d left our new community and home in Southeast Georgia mid-September 2021 for a family wedding and a 25th anniversary in New Jersey never realizing it would be our last road trip together.

It was a memorable visit spent with good friends and neighbors in our former neighborhood at the Jersey Shore. A close friend later would remark on how Rich got to be with so many people who just happened to be around to see us. I now think about that as the Great Farewell – Rich got to spend the last best days of his life among his friends. And he had many,

The Jersey Shore is where we spent most of our married life together. We were wed on a paddle-wheel style boat on the Manasquan River on a beautiful autumn Saturday afternoon. During the ceremony, a small squall popped up followed by a ranibow. The reverend said he wouldn’t charge extra for those “special effects”! It was a great party with excellent food and a terrific DJ. I know our guests appreciated being outside on the river and enjoyed the long ride out to the Barnegat Bay – a total of four hours. 

When we were planning our wedding, I’d checked out a number of venues at Then Jersey Shore. They were okay, but either too expensive or just too “boring”. One night, while watching JEOPARDY, Alex Trebeck asked a contestant to tell the audience about his unique wedding.The contestant, (I can’t recall his name) who is still among one of the top winners of all time, shared about how he and his wife had been married on the River Belle in Brielle.

I was so startled, I might’ve spilled my wine. Brielle was the town where Rich was living at the time. On my next visit down from North Jersey, I went straight to the River Belle’s management office (actually a booth on the canal) and put down a deposit. For approximately a year, I’d visit each week with a payment. 

After that day, we proceeded to establish a very nice life together in our waterfront community in our log home before deciding to make a lifestyle change as Rich was now approaching his mid-70s and looking to get away from an increasingly expensive and challenging way of life. I know he enjoyed his short time spent in The South, but his heart belonged to Jersey.

Mine does, too, although I dont have plans to return. Right now, my archives are filled with images of that trip we took together, and those of my solo trip with my dog, Quint in 2022, when I drove up north to bring some of Rich’s ashes to rest. 

Which reminds me – Happy Two Year Widow’s Voice Anniversary to me. Trust me, and no offense Soaring Spirits, but I’m willing to bet that no writer ever says, “Gee, I hope I can blog for Widow’s Voice some day!” 

There are times when I can’t believe I am reaching the Three Year milestone of my own Widowversary. My first Post for Widow’s Voice appeared on October First,  2022. It serves as a benchmark (there’s my Human Resource experience kicking in) for my entry into this New World, and the “promotions” I’ve earned along the way (and occasional “demotions” when I’m just having a rough patch). 

I thank you for following along, and let’s all toast Rich. I weathered another storm (Helene) and know many are struggling in its wake. We never know how the world will challenge us, or how resilient we can be.

Here’s to us and the strength to carry on and Move Forward.