40 and counting

14th April, 1973. Milford, Co Donegal. Brother Nº 1 and I walked down the high street to the church, with the unintentional swagger that Highland dress engenders. A white Mercedes brought my best beloved from across the road, wearing the dress she'd made herself. Our pastor from Edinburgh came, and family and friends from all over, a quartet of which sang a special, unaccompanied version of Psalm 121. The sun shone, the bright daffodils carpetted the reception hotel's lawns, and a very good time was had by all.  As we left, my best beloved looked stunning in the ankle-length dress she'd got from a little shop in Morningside, and I suppose my flared purple cords were simply a sign of the times!

There's an article up on the BBC website about whether there's a secret to a happy marriage. No rules, says Adam Gopnik, but then confesses to a theory that it's "a steady, unchanging formula of lust, laughter and loyalty." Especially interesting are his comments on how that works out during the difficult times. So here's to the flourishing of all three!

And to the next 40.