Recently, I played tennis with friends. One of them mentioned, she and her husband would be celebrating their twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. I chimed in that Danny and I would be celebrating our twenty-seventh this October. “Not bad after dating for one weekend,” I added. Their collective jaws dropped.
Memorial Day weekend, 1987.
Independence Pass, July, 1987.
I’ve written three blog posts about how we took a leap of faith. Okay, it was more like catapult. At the time, it seemed very logical to get married after such a short time of dating. Later, we wondered what our kids would think. So far they haven’t run off to Las Vegas to get married after meeting someone new. Whew!
October 10, 1987.
My blogging friend and author Neville DeAngelou has a very popular radio show called The Journey. He read my blog post, “Letting You in on Ten Little Secrets,” and asked if I would be interested in being interviewed. We Skyped a few months ago. I included my story, “Our Secret is Out,” which is based on “Oprah and Me.”
It is really hard for me to listen to a recording of myself, but it wasn’t that bad! I’ve told these stories about a thousand times.
I’d love it if you listened. Click the link below:
Do you have any secrets to a long lasting relationship that you’d like to share?
Susie Lindau's Wild Ride 
Great interview, Susie.
LikeLike
Thanks Anneli! I have “rehearsed” these stories for years!
LikeLike
Oh my goodness. Brave woman! Congratulations on your lasting success.
LikeLike
Thanks so much Cassandra!
It was a lot easier than I thought it would be.
LikeLike
I had no doubt this would be a great interview- and leaps of faith are what life is all about. I know.:)
LikeLike
Thanks Linda! I’m still taking a leap of faith every day while finishing up my writing projects. If I didn’t believe they would be published, it would be a colossal waste of time!
LikeLike
How awesome to hear your voice Susie!
Diana xo
LikeLike
Thanks Diana for taking the time!!
I still haven’t listened my Boob Report interview, but after hearing this one, I don’t think I’ll be very self-critical. I didn’t remember what I said!
I can hear the Midwestern accent even though I’ve been in Colorado for a couple decades!
LikeLike
Actually, I hardly detected any kind of accent at all. I’ve been to Denver a few times and you all sound, look, feel like Calgarians to me! ❤ Even the scenery looks familiar.
LikeLike
I would love to go to Calgary some day!
LikeLike
Don’t stop there, Susie. Go on to Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper.
LikeLike
Let me know if you ever decide to do so!
LikeLike
So Cool – thanks so much for sharing 🙂 Secrets – #1 be each other’s best friend and adventure partner, #2 trust, respect and communicate, #3 the most important laughter (play, laugh and have FUN!). Happy Hump Day!
LikeLike
Those are great tips, Renee! I think all of them are critical in a lasting relationship. Having fun is high on the list! 🙂
LikeLike
great story… when it’s right it’s right, you just know it, you can feel it…. this fall, we’ll have been married 23 years… we’ve know each other 30.. some days it feels like the other day and others,,,,, well that’s one of the keys to surviving – keeping my mouth shut.. I need to remember that more! Our first date was to the zoo…we had a blast.
LikeLike
That would be a great first date! 30 years has us beat. 🙂
Congrats early on your 23rd!
LikeLike
Secrets? First, make the relationship more important than being right, and second, never go to sleep at night mad at each other. Stay up as long as necessary to reconcile differences before going to sleep.
LikeLike
I rarely do that as I said in the interview, but develop amnesia instead! It’s never worth it to hold onto bad feelings in any relationship.
Thanks David!
LikeLike
I always thought in terms of long lasting. Unfortunately it was not in the cards. I have however been good friends with my wife for the past 32 years of which sixteen years as a married couple. Maybe one needs to find a good friend first.
LikeLike
That’s exactly how Danny and I started out. Best friends. We just clicked!!! You’ve accomplished a lot if you’ve remained friends for all these years! Wow!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I remember that “leapy” feeling! My husband of 23 years and I got engaged after knowing each other for 6 weeks and spending a total of 3 days together. Still, we didn’t manage to beat out my parents, who got married 5 weeks after meeting and had 44 wonderful years together until my dad’s death.
Not to be a buzz kill, but one thing that contributes to long-term relationship success (in addition to all the suggestions already made) is the realization that neither person is perfect. When you accept that, you can appreciate the person for who they are, rather than either trying to change them into someone else or abandoning them when they fail to meet your standards.
LikeLike
This is so wise, Audrey! Trying to change someone else never works. It’s more important to celebrate the people we are.
LikeLike
You’re right! I was 29 and Danny was 32 when we got married. That was old enough to know that there is no such thing as perfection. How cool that you and your parents took a leap of faith!
Thanks for stopping by!
LikeLike
Oh, fun!! My husband and I have been together for 20 years, married 19. We got engaged after six months, and married seven months later. Our son arrived 10 months after that. Sometimes we wonder what in the world we were thinking, but it’s been a wonderfully rewarding relationship for both of us. Our secret? Much like David Walker, the relationship is more important than being right. And that thing you were so ticked about? It probably doesn’t deserve all the attention you’re giving it, because helping each other grow is more important than holding onto grudges. Congrats to you and Danny on 27 years!!
LikeLike
That’s right! No one irritation is worth a big fight. I can’t remember the last time that even happened! While so many friends of ours go through divorce, we keep getting closer. Of course it helps that Danny looks forward to being, “Mr. Susie Lindau,” and carrying my bags!!! 🙂
Sounds like you’ve had a great 20 years! Thank you!
LikeLike
I never knew this story about you two love birds! This is fantastic! I love the pics you posted here, especially the wedding one. What an incredibly handsome couple. 🙂
You really are meant to be in the lime light. I listened to the podcast and like your previous podcast, you had me laughing and entertained. You are so comfortable chatting away. Love all the tips on a great relationship too. This was a lot of fun. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for listening! It is a crazy story. I always say that if it weren’t for Oprah Winfrey, the timing would have been off. We were meant to be together.
Thanks Maria! I was nervous until I started talking. I’ve told these stories so often, it was very natural, that and the fact that I can go on and on without taking a breath!!
LikeLike
I guess there is something to be said about love at first sight!
You both look amazing in that wedding picture. Congrats on 27 years!
I’ll check out the podcast soon
LikeLike
Thanks Phil! Time flies when you’re a wild rider!!!
LikeLike
This October will be 16 years engaged for us!
LikeLike
What are you waiting for?????????????
LikeLike
And she talks as well! You could add Wonder Woman to the title Wild Ride. Seriously fine tips on making marriage last. LOVE those wedding day smiles. Made my day. Cheers!
LikeLike
Thanks Julie and for taking the time to listen!
I didn’t remember any of it. I think it helped that Neville giggled through the whole interview. 🙂
LikeLike
A great listen Susie
LikeLike
Thanks Jim! I’m so glad you stopped by and took the time!
LikeLike
I love stories like yours, Susie. I think we need more of them. Great interview.
LikeLike
Thanks Kate! I have told the story so many times, that I am always surprised when a friend hasn’t heard about it! I don’t think many people would do what I did. It was just a gut feeling. I was in love and that was enough!
LikeLike
Oh! I love the photos! You are just beaming. Looking forward to the interview. Congrats, Susie!
LikeLike
Thanks Darla!
It was a fun experience. Neville Skyped a Boob Report interview too. I thought I would stammer and freak out, but once I started, I don’t think I took a breath for 45 minutes!!!
LikeLike
What a fun podcast, Susie, and how cool to hear your voice.
Congrats on 27 wonderful years together. I bet that’s been the wildest (and most rewarding) ride of all. 🙂
LikeLike
And it keeps getting wilder!!! Thanks Jackie! I really appreciate that you took the time to listen!
LikeLike
All can say is that 27 years has failed to dim the light in both of your smiles. Keep rockin’ ‘n’ rollin’, Susie. 🙂
LikeLike
We’re still smiling, Paul! Now if I can just convince him to drive to the Vail Sale this morning, life will be perfect.
Thank you!
LikeLike
Oh, c’mon, Susie…, didn’t anyone ever tell you..? Shopping just isn’t a man thing…, unless it’s for a car, sports gear, tools, etc. 🙂 🙂 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person