Twenty Years Later
Mark and I are celebrating our 20th wedding anniversary today. When I married Mark, little did I know I'd be finding my way toward a new family - all of you in the autism world. You mean the world to me and my girls. Thank you.
(PS) I didn't know what gluten free meant when I cut into that cake....
Kim Stagliano is Managing Editor of Age of Autism, she writes for Autism File Magazine, HuffPo, TodayMoms and elsewhere. Her book All I Can Handle I'm No Mother Teresa is now available in paperback with bonus content, recipes and a book club/academic guide.
Well, the last recent picture you posted before this wedding day photo appears by comparison shows that the smiles are still there.
Find a porch swing and tap your toes to this:
http://youtu.be/Ez24yjqRGLs
This old song for some reason is fast becoming a national anthem.
Posted by: Kerbob1 | October 20, 2011 at 12:01 PM
That photo just makes me smile! Happy Anniversary Kim and Mark. You are both extraordinary!
Posted by: Becky Estepp | October 20, 2011 at 10:14 AM
Look at your smiling faces. Kim you were a very pretty bride, love your gown.
Our 33 aniversary is coming up in the next couple of months. we too have pictures of cutting a cake, laughing, full of hope and excitment for the future. It was a small wedding (bigger than any kind of marriage any of our family had ever had though) - I too bought the most expensive dress I have ever owned - it had a big full skirt, with lace and lots, and lot of beads, cost 200 dollars. We married in a Baptist church and the man that married us was my father-in-law (he was a methodist preacher).
I suure never thought it would turn out the way it did. We were the perfect couple and entitled .
One of the things in your book that stood out the most for me was a brief comment you made;
"Catholic marriage class did little to break our sense of entitlement to perfection. Why would anything bad happen to us?"
Baptist and Methodist have the same problem, it is not just a Catholic thing!
Posted by: Benedetta | October 20, 2011 at 09:52 AM
what a beautiful picture!
Congratulations Kim and Mark!
Posted by: Katie Wright | October 19, 2011 at 10:03 PM
Happy Anniversary, and thank you for all you do for this family
Posted by: Mfischer | October 19, 2011 at 09:23 PM
Congratulations Kim and Mark.I wish you both the very best
life has to offer,especially excellent health,long-long life
so you can look after and support your family.
In stressful
days and having the experience with autism and how it changed my life and my son's life; It is so good to connect
with the community that you have allowed us to do.It helps to deal with the pain and the loss.I especially appreciate the brain-storming as we discuss so many issues.You may not be a mother Teresa,but getting close to it.
Posted by: oneVoice | October 19, 2011 at 09:13 PM
Anne, had I known I'd have probably been the runaway bride! God knows I have the googly eyes for it. ;) Thanks everyone. KS
Posted by: Stagmom | October 19, 2011 at 07:41 PM
Australia
Congratulations and Happy Anniversary.
Best Wishes from 'Down Under'
Elizabeth
Posted by: AussieMum | October 19, 2011 at 07:36 PM
I often look at my wedding photo and think about all the things that lay ahead for me. If only I had known then what I do now.
Kim, you're the greatest!
Anne
Posted by: Anne McElroy Dachel | October 19, 2011 at 07:14 PM
You two look like you were an awesome couple then, and still look that way now!
And, Kim and Mark, youARE an awesome couple!
Your family is a wonderful inspiration to all of us!
xoxo Chantal
Posted by: chantal Sicile-Kira | October 19, 2011 at 06:56 PM
Congratulations!
Posted by: Jeannette Bishop | October 19, 2011 at 06:32 PM
Happy Anniversary Kim and Mark!
Posted by: LJ Goes | October 19, 2011 at 06:11 PM
LOVE the Stags! Happy Anniversary!
Posted by: Harry Tembenis | October 19, 2011 at 03:44 PM
Happy Anniversary! I hope you have a wonderful day.
Posted by: Carolyn M | October 19, 2011 at 01:32 PM
Happy Anniversary Kim and Mark! Thanks for writing a book about your daughters' autism that actually made me laugh and cry at the same time! I identified with all of it as we went through many of the same experiences with our own son on the spectrum. Keep writing!
Posted by: Gayle | October 19, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Happy Anniversary! Just read your book... Thanks for sharing and continuing to fight for all of our children!
Posted by: Maria Panagopoulos | October 19, 2011 at 01:22 PM
Happy Anniversary!!! Many more to come! Thanks for showing the world strength, spunk and unconditional love.
Heather
Posted by: Heather Stafford | October 19, 2011 at 10:12 AM
Happy Anniversary, congratulations and many more!
Posted by: Adriana | October 19, 2011 at 09:29 AM
Kim, The first 20 are the hardest! Your family is part of mine and I have loved getting to know you all -- Dan
Posted by: dan olmsted | October 19, 2011 at 09:19 AM
Congrats, Kim and Mark!
I think this one was written just for you:
“The great secret of a successful marriage is to treat all disasters as incidents and none of the incidents as disasters.” - Harold Nicolson
Posted by: Donna L. | October 19, 2011 at 09:14 AM
Hmm. Off-the-shoulder was pretty daring way back in those days wasn’t it? Happy anniversary to you and spouse. You have created love and sent it all around the world.
Posted by: Mary W Maxwell | October 19, 2011 at 08:39 AM
Happy Anniversary Mark and Kim! And many more to come!
Posted by: Jake Crosby | October 19, 2011 at 08:26 AM
Have a wonderful celebration today, Kim. Happy, happy 20th!
Posted by: Not an MD | October 19, 2011 at 07:37 AM
Twenty years and she still has the same mischievous glint: congratulations Mark and Kim.
John
Posted by: John Stone | October 19, 2011 at 07:03 AM