February 15th, 2018

Yes indeedy, we did it again.  We recommitted ourselves to each other once again! It was so much fun!  For those of you who didn't see last year's post of this, our town, Venice Florida, has this event every year on Valentine's day called, "Say I Do Again" and anyone who wants to can, once again, renew their love for one another in a semi-official way.  I say semi-official, there is a judge who performs the "ceremony" but other than that, there ain't nothin' legal about it.  It's just for Love's Sake. And sometimes' that is enough.

​Two things were different this year. First, Tim is the one who wanted to do it this year!!! (last year I found out about the event and kinda of urged it along) and Second, he emailed Bob and asked if he and Joy wanted to come along and be a part of the fun.  Turns out the answer was yes!

​So we all got into our schmancy duds- or fancier than usual duds, which by the way is absolutely not required. While most people do tend to at least comb their hair for this event, all sorts of levels of attire are present including a surprising number of veils.  Joy and I just wanted to make it feel extra special.  And for us that involves something sparkly.  For me, my dress, for her a lacy/sparkly top.  For the guys, clean shirts.  We looked snazzy.

​Joy and I were given roses, we were all given cupcakes and a memento and our certificate of participation.  Then we joined the crowd.  About 150 couples also thought this was a terrific way to spend Valentine's Day. I was a party!  There was music playing and lovely decorated arbours and happy, smiling faces everywhere. While we waited for it all to begin, we took turns taking our "official" photographs and then got silly taking pictures on the beach.  Photos of the four of us:

Photos of us goober dancing to the music that was playing while we also sang along: (by the way, it is a rare thing for us to be dancing so these photos are like a pictures of Big Foot)

Finally, the ceremony began.  Everyone who could, stood up, and we repeated the words after the judge, promising to love each other, and respect each other, and laugh together for the rest of our lives.  It was lovely and touching and sweet.  Then they gave special gifts to the longest married, the most newly married and a few randomly chosen couples (none of which were us).  So we lingered a little bit longer and shared a smooch as we watched the sun go down in a spectacular fashion.

Then we went to dinner at a wonderful Italian place, laughed a lot, talked a lot and ate even more!  Oooph.  I'm still full today.  But it was a wonderful way to spend Valentine's Day. We all had so much fun that I suspect we will do it again next year.

​The memento, by the way, was a mason jar that has the event name and the year on it.  Bob looked at Joy a little bewildered and asked what they were supposed to do with it.  "Anything you want to do" was my answer.  For me, I think I will put my rose petals in there and then put it on a the book shelf and remember the date every single time and then smile.