Twenty-four years together

26 Aug, 2025

A personal post today.

Twenty-four years ago today I met my other half. I can't believe how much time has passed, yet it seems to have been a short 24 years.

We don't technically have an anniversary in the traditional sense, as we're not married or engaged. We never felt the need to go down that avenue to declare our long-lasting commitment to each other. We have talked about getting married over the last few years, more for tax and asset purposes (how romantic!!) but never actually got around to it.

We count today as our anniversary -- the day we met.

Our secret?

Who knows. We seem lucky to have found each other -- soul-mates.

We are quite different in our personalities, but at the base level I'd say we are similar. Both relatively calm, and relaxed. I'm probably more chilled and more of a do-er. We've had some tough times over the years, mostly related to my OH's health, but we made it through a quadruple heart bypass and all the complications that come with it. However, all is now good and has been for many years.

We rarely argue! I can count on one hand the number of big disagreements we've had. I've always been of the opinion that you both say your piece, and that is it. You always find a level in the end. There's been nothing either of us have felt so strongly about that one of us will not back-down, or compromise on.

I think there's been one occasion where our disagreement reach boiling point. I actually stormed out the house and drove off, returning in an hour to apologise for being so petulant in my reaction. I'm not a stressful person, but for some reason a house move seems to always come with complications out-with my control (guess who is a control freak?!). Whatever it was (and I honestly can't remember) took my tolerance to the edge; I had to leave for a little while to calm-down. Those histrionics were about 15 years ago. If I could remember the issue, I would look back at my reaction and think 'what a dick'.

Don't get me wrong -- we can bicker and niggle at each other, but it's over in 30 seconds. Life is too short to hold a grudge; especially with the person you spend most of your life with.

I strongly believe that spending time apart keeps a relationship fresh. We've always done some things separately. We have a common group of friends, but also our own groups. We can spend a weekend, or sometimes a few weeks apart, depending on where we are. I can't imagine spending every waking moment, and doing everything together -- it doesn't seem healthy to me. However, each to their own. I am not here to criticise.

Bad planning

Annoyingly, each of the last three years we have been apart for our anniversary. Today being yet another one. I'm in Scotland, and the significant-other is at our house in Spain. This morning we resolved to ensure we were together in the same country for our 25th.

Celebrations

Over the years we've done various things to commemorate the years. Trips away, small gifts, extravagant gifts, meals with friends. Possibly my favourite is one I made.

For our seventh year, I made a smiley face and had it framed. The two coins are copper (the traditional themed-gift for 7 years!). They are dated 2001 for the year we met, and represent the eyes of the face. The 7 depicts the eyebrows and the nose. The smile because we are happy.

How romantic? Which is surprising, as there's not a romantic bone in my body (well, that's the image I present!).

I hope you have found, or will find, your life-partner and enjoy life's ups and downs together.

#blaugust2025