It may have been the best memory from our latest year of marriage. At around 11 p.m. on a May night in Disney World, Sid and I found ourselves decked out in 3-D glasses. With the park closed down to the general public, we were in a sectioned-off corner of Epcot riding Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure. Energized by the savory kettle corn in our lap and emboldened by the open bar we had taken advantage of all night, we swayed together shoulder-to-shoulder as the attraction zipped us from scene to scene.
As we laughed out loud as we rode the attraction more than once, we realized that each time on the ride was different. Disney created Ratatouille Adventure to feature multiple perspectives and experiences based on what car you were assigned. Perhaps it was just the buzz I was nursing, but at that moment I realized the ride was like our marriage: fun, random, and a little crazy.

Sid and I pose for a photo before going on the Ratatouille ride.
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On this date nine years ago, Sidney and I entered into the sacrament of holy matrimony at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Myrtle Beach, SC. Although that is a neat fact, is it even worth it to celebrate a ninth anniversary? Perhaps married couples should just bypass it and gear up for the big 10th anniversary. Nah. As I said last year, an anniversary is an anniversary and should be recognized and celebrated as such.

What a blessing it is to celebrate our ninth anniversary! (📷: Nicole Lynn Photos).
And truth be told, I think recognizing today’s anniversary goes beyond just principle. Yes, I believe this past year of marriage deserves at least some celebration. After all, the professional moves we made in lockstep and the leadership opportunity we embraced did make it a unique year of marital bliss.

We said “I Do” on June 11, 2016, at St. Andrew Catholic Church
Don’t worry, I won’t dwell long on the “uniqueness” I just referenced. But with me accepting a director role at EWU and Sid ascending from a customer service position to an underwriter at Travelers, we got to climb the career ladder together and celebrate one another’s successes. We also had the pleasure of accompanying each other to our respective work banquets and parties, including Sid’s award recognition excursion to Orlando that provided the inspiration for the opening of this post.

Sid and me at the EWU Alumni Awards at the end of April 2025.
At the same time as our careers taking an upward trajectory, we were given additional responsibility outside of the office, too. In January, in a manner which was not unlike a conclave (😂), Sid and I were elected to serve as leaders of our Engaged Encounter community (Diocese of Spokane). Over the past six months, we have used our different talents and personalities to provide the best collaborative leadership we can.

In January 2025, Sid and I were selected co-leaders of the Diocese of Spokane chapter of Engaged Encounter. We were elected alongside our friends, Grace and Tim Trudnowski (seated next to us).
But besides those two developments, it has been another blessed year based on the tenets that have fueled our marriage for so long: A reliance on God’s grace, the solid examples of strong marriages from our own parents, and the special way our children enhance our relationship.

It has been another fruitful year of marriage and thankfully we had Swoop around to witness it first hand 😉
Give any couple those three things and let me know if they still aren’t happily married 50 years from now.

We are still smiling 9 years later.
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Sidney, I know our ride will remain twisty and curvy but I wouldn’t trade the thrill for anything. Buckle your seat belt because I can’t wait to see where it takes us this next year! Don’t Blink.