Last November was our wedding anniversary.  19 years had passed since we took our vows in front of family, friends, and a substitute rabbi who was filling in for my fiancee’s congregation while they looked for a full-time leader.  We thus began our long-term relationship under short-term management, which I recently thought might render the union questionable on legal grounds.  But I checked our license over, just to be certain, and it turns out we’re good and married under the law of those bedrocks of civilization:  Judaism and the State of Delaware.

So we’ve survived and thrived over these last 19 years, and an anniversary is as good a time as any to celebrate and reflect on the lives we’ve built together.  But 19 is a funny number, on the cusp of a major milestone but not the kind of round number that inspires real attention (for proof, go check the Hallmark aisle for the “19th Anniversary” collection of cards…I’ll wait here until you get back).  But with the memory of the Great Underwhelming Birthday Gift Disaster of 2010 still top of mind in our house, I realized that a romantic gesture was likely in order.  So I came up with an idea that was sure to rekindle the flame and celebrate us.

And now, having survived my mistake, I’ll share one small piece of advice:  whatever you do on your anniversary, don’t watch your wedding video. Continue reading