OUT ON THE TOWN

Judy and I celebrated our 30th anniversary at Knoxville's Chesapeake's last evening. It was our first time there, and as usual, you can't go wrong at one of the Copper Cellar's Family of Restaurants!

Chesapeake's is located off Henley Street in the Central Business district of Knoxville, Tennessee in a beautifully restored historic building. The décor is dark wood and what you would expect to find in a classic seafood restaurant along any coast in America. Our booth was bathed in the light of a live aquarium, which added to the romantic atmosphere we experienced.

All their seafood is flown in fresh daily and prepared to perfection by the restaurant's chefs. Judy chose the Grouper and I, naturally, requested the fried sampler platter of scallops, oysters, fish, and shrimp. Judy tried the "wedge salad" and it was wonderful, even to me! I ordered a cup of gumbo, and now wish I had just ordered a bowl of gumbo and the wedge salad! The gumbo was full of okra and shrimp and had a spicy taste that went well with the fresh bread and butter!

Our waitress documented the occasion with this photo and figured out it was a special evening for us. She brought a slice of double chocolate cheesecake, at no charge, for us to enjoy. While the cheesecake was delicious, I'm finding that I will not be able to keep fried and sweet things on my list of regular foods. Since my stomach "wrap", I have to be very cautious about what I eat. So cautious, in fact, that I've now lost nearly 30 pounds!

Now, for you folks with regular stomachs, you can't go wrong choosing Chesapeake's for a great evening of fresh seafood!

Judy and I talked about how the time has flown by - where have the past 30 years gone?! However, we both agreed that if given the opportunity and choice we would do it all over again. It has been a very enjoyable 30 years - full of good times, friends, and family. There's little we would do over.

Thanks for sharing our anniversary with us.

THIRTY YEARS - SEEMS LIKE ONLY YESTERDAY

June 12th is our anniversary!

Seems like yesterday that we got together again at our 15th year class reunion, where David Arp told me he'd whip my butt if I didn't ask Judy to dance (click to re-read the story). Well, little did he know that I needed no prompting, but I have to admit it was hard to pass up a good fight with David. We had such a history in fighting after school (click to re-read our fight-club history)!

Anyway, I did ask her to dance and, seventeen years after falling for her Betty Davis eyes out behind the Carol Ann drive-in, I was sitting in her living room watching the sun come up. I was with the love of my life. She had been special to me for a long time, and we were finally together the way I'd always dreamed.

Thirty years is a long time, but our life has been so blessed that the time has zipped by like months instead of years. I think we may have had one or two heated discussions, but I can't say we've ever really fought. We knew we were blessed with finding another chance at love and we were determined not to mess it up. We also decided long ago that if we ever reached a point we couldn't stay married, we would still live in our home together! Strange, but we ain't leaving!

I can't image ever wanting to call it quits, and never can Judy. We are so thankful for these thirty years and we ask God to give us at least thirty more!

I love you Judy and always will.

Thanks for the memories and happiness!

Pictures from the past 30 years:

This is our wedding photo - 1980!