10

It was 10 years ago today that I rolled into my wife’s arms at Oaks Park skating rink. If I’d known then what I know now, I never would have suggested skating as a first date, it’s far too dangerous.

But we both survived, and she agreed to a second date, despite the really terrible pants I wore to the first one.[1]

One of the things that drew me to Jess was her love of the outdoors and being active. She’s been the catalyst for most of the great trips we’ve taken in the last 10 years.

She reintroduced me to cross country skiing.

Jess cross country skiing
Jess in her natural habitat

I suggested we take snowboarding lessons.

Jess snowboarding
Before everything went terribly wrong, we were having fun.

That didn’t work out so well.

Jess in a purple cast on her broken wrist.
2008 was the year I started threatening to buy Jess a suite of bubble wrap.

So we went back to the bikes.

Getting ready to ride from Seattle to Portland
Getting ready to ride from Seattle to Portland
Riding around Crater Lake, 2007
Riding around Crater Lake, 2007
Jess and Kronda in matching jerseys on a tandem bike
She hates that we’re always matching, but I think she secretly loves it.

When I decided to go to a weekend mountain biking clinic, she bought a bike and joined me (with predicable injurous results). Despite being so prone to breakage, she’s always game to try new things, at least once.

Jess on her mountain bike.
Always game for adventure, despite the risks.

She saw me through my worst year ever and never wavered.

Cleaning out my mom's house after she died.
That’s my, “I’m cleaning out my dead mom’s house,” face.

I introduced her to my friends through Church of Waffles.

Church of Waffles was a favorite way to see a bunch of our friends.
Church of Waffles was a favorite way to see a bunch of our friends.

She’s introduced me to her friends.

Carrie and Dennis hosted us in Colorado.
Carrie and Dennis hosted us in Colorado.

We’ve been on lots of amazing trips, domestic and international.

Kronda and Jess On a floating bridge somewhere outside Vancouver B.C.
On a floating bridge somewhere outside Vancouver B.C.
Kronda and Jess in front of the Eiffel Tower
Celebrating my graduation by getting out and seeing new places.
Kronda and Jess under the Eiffel Tower in Paris
Jess always has the best photo ideas
Feet together in Amsterdam
Walking around Amsterdam
Jess riding carefree through Amsterdam
Riding carefree through Amsterdam

We find plenty of fun things to do at home too.

Urban Assault Ride Jess on a big wheel
Urban Assault Ride hijinks
Kronda and Jess riding Cycle Oregon.
The first day of Cycle Oregon, before Jess got injured (surprise!)
Kronda and Jess with a Camel on Cycle Oregon
You make a lot of new friends on Cycle Oregon.
Kronda and Jess, Cycle Oregon 2010
Jess surprised me by putting this great moment from Cycle Oregon on our joint credit card.

She’s been a great influence on my health and diet. I never met anyone who loves vegetables as much as she does and she’s introduced me to a wonderful variety of foods.

Quinoa peach salad.
Jess has given me a new appreciation for creative vegetarian food.

We got married at the Church of Elvis, which is the most official we’ve gotten so far.

Kronda and Jess get married at the Church of Elvis
The only wedding we’ve had so far was at the Church of Elvis in downtown Portland.

We hardly ever fight.

Kronda and Jess at the beach
No, you have to do it like this…
Kronda and Jess at the beach
If you’d just stop bossing me around…
Kronda and Jess at the beach having a play fight.
It’s important to work out your differences like adults.

Kronda and Jess at the beach

I supported her when she wanted to adopt.

Xander and Oz as kittens
They were so tiny.
Xander and Oz as kittens
Xander and Oz as kittens

She supports me in achieving every goal I set for myself.

Graduating from Art Institute of Portland, Sept 2011
Graduating from Art Institute of Portland, Sept 2011

When I was a lonely and single 20-something, I used to say to the universe, “the longer I wait, the better she has to be.”

The universe kept its end of the bargain.

Happy anniversary honey! Here’s to the next 10 years.


  1. I still have those pants.  ↩

3 Comments


  1. Thank you for sharing your beautiful life together. It has been wonderful seeing your happiness blossom! Blessings to you and Jess and happiness forever!

    Reply

  2. Kronda, i absolutely love your reflection on the past 10 yrs of love shared with your wife! I think you two won the lottery …the one that money cannot buy! Congratulations to both of you!

    Reply

  3. What a beautiful story. I laughed and teared! And even though the two of you are so very cute together…Oz and Xander were so freakin’ adorable as kitlets!

    Reply

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