It's been 38 years of bliss

I don't remember getting on the PanAm airplane in Montevideo on January 3rd, 1973, and I don't remember changing planes in Buenos Aires either.  I do remember landing in several countries before we landed in Panama City.  I remember that we stayed there for some time before the flight crew announced that we were having some trouble with an engine and would be about three hours in Panama City.  We were told we could get off of the plane or we could stay on board where the air would continue to be cooled for us.  I elected to stay.  I was just behind the wing on the right side, so I saw them working on the engine.  After the three hours the Captain got back on the intercom and told us that repairs would take longer than was thought and that PanAm was flying a replacement plane from San Francisco to rescue us.  We were again told we could stay on the plan if we so desired, but they recommended that we disembark.  I stayed on the plane for some time.  I was a missionary returning home from two years in Uruguay, and I was pretty timid.  I've been pretty timid my whole life, but most of my friends don't know that.

I finally arrived in Los Angeles on January 4th, having spent more than 24 hours in transit from Montevideo to Los Angeles.  It seemed to me that we stopped everywhere there was an airport enroute.  I halfway expected to see people getting on with their chicken and goats.  They didn't, but still with all the landings and take-offs I was unable to sleep much enroute.  When I got off of the airplane there were two gentlemen there waiting to speak to me.  They were from the US Government and wanted to know if I was interested in entering into foreign service.  I was taken by surprise.  I still had not reported my mission to my local church leaders and was unprepared for anything other than going home.

That next Sunday, January 7, 1973 there was a youth fireside at a friend's home, and I attended.  I saw there a most beautiful young lady whom I had met several years before, but who then hadn't piqued my interest as she did now.  She took my eye.  She was there with her brother, whom I didn't know, but I wanted desperately to know her better.  Soon I asked her out and in mid February I told her I wanted her to be my bride.

We were married in the Los Angeles LDS Temple on April 17, 1973.  It has been a wonderful 38 years.   I've never regretted a moment of my life with my princess bride.

I believe I love her more now than I did then.  She has supported me in all the adventures I've undertaken, and has given me 7 children.  In my eyes she is still the most beautiful woman in the world.

This is very much not enough said, but enough for now.  These paragraphs will be included in my life story whenever I manage to write it.