This year Richard and I will celebrate our 43rd wedding anniversary. 

Richard and I met in 1972. It was almost love at first sight, and we were married a little over three years later in September 1975. He has been the love of my life ever since. We have had our share of ups and downs over the years, but he has stuck by me through "thick" and "thin".

Our lives have changed in bit over the years. In 43 years we raised three children to adulthood, moved 7 times, and had grandchildren, even since my RNY surgery in 2006, just 12 years ago, our lives, look a lot different than when we first got married. 

In my book, Out of Obesity and into the Promised Land, I encourge those who are considering surgery to consider what their lives were like 10 years ago and even 5 years ago. And then think about what they want their life to look like 5 or 10 years from now. Most likely things have changed over the years and will continue to look different well into the future. 

Twelve years ago, just a few months after I had surgery, we were in the midst of planning weddings for our two sons. We now have 6 grandchildren and will be adding number 7 to the mix this month. 

We look forward, now in our retirement years, to celebrating the best years of our lives together with our growing family, our renewed health and a new appreciation and love for each other.   

We are in a different place, time, environment, and phase of our lives together than we were 43 years ago or even ten years ago. 

Happy Anniversary, Richard.