In 1983, the car radio played "All Night Long," "Billy Jean," and "Every Breath You Take." My personal favorite voices, Billy Joel and Culture Club, filled my ears with delight and assaulted my poor soon to be husband's ears with my out-of-tune humming. He, on the other hand, changed the lyrics to every Sinatra song and sang along in perfect pitch maneuvering through Brooklyn traffic in our little brown Honda Civic stick shift.
He still loves a good Sinatra tune and he still changes the lyrics when we drive through Brooklyn or New Jersey. I still laugh.
35 years ago, we went to the Cobble Hill Cinemas at the corner of Butler and Court and enjoyed Yentl, Tootsie, and Flashdance. Risky Business made us want to dance in socks and underwear, and Terms of Endearment made us all cry.
Mario Bros was introduced in 1983 and so were Cabbage Patch dolls. Ronald Reagan was the president, MASH aired its last episode, and you could pull up to an Esso station with a five dollar bill and drive around town for miles.
And, in 1983, a girl from Whitestone who never thought it was possible to find love, became engaged to a boy from Park Slope. December 11th brought with it rainy skies, but they say that is good luck. We were married in Roslyn surrounded by friends and family. It was a beautiful day despite the raindrops, and a very good, lucky day. 35 years later, many of those who celebrated with us have since passed, but our memories are long and happy ones.
Families change and grow, children make you laugh, and new friends touch your life like a gift to your soul. If you are lucky, you get to meet those changes together. If you are lucky, you get to grow old together.
We called 20 Butler Street home even though it came with mice. 1410 Avenue S came with roaches and our short stay on 28th street was in a three-family house that came with the Mafia. Moving to New Jersey gave us a safer home and much better pets. Some things do improve with age, such as our dog Murray. Back then, Norman was a tennis player and I was an artist. That hasn't changed much. But I think we improved with age too.
35 years brought us joy with three amazing children. They all came home for Hanukkah latkes this week. Zach, Sam, and Katie cuddled up on the couch with the ones they have chosen to love. I don't know about you, but my wish for my children is that they each find their person. Someone who will love them for the rest of their lives as much as we loved them. Someone who will nurture them, help them see the hard moments as fleeting and the joyous occasions as what really defines their lives. This coming year, we get to see our Zach marry his Michele. We already love Michele as a daughter and we feel blessed that they have found each other. 35 years after the start of our family, our children are beginning their stories. I hope they all have a long and sweet journey even if it costs much more than 5 dollars to get around town.
35 years ago, I found the love of my life. I get to honor that momentous occasion every December 11th. But what is even sweeter is that I get to celebrate him every day. Norman makes me laugh, he keeps me young, and he is the best husband and papa I could ever have dreamed of finding back in 1983. I found my person. (Thank you, El.)
Happy 35th Norm! I love you.
