Today is our 55th Anniversary. (I stopped at that word anniversary and wondered should it be capitalized or not. I decided it was a big enough deal that it deserved all the attention it could get.) We were married on Saturday night June 25th, 1966, in Teaneck, New Jersey. It was a big and lavish wedding. The kind that couldn’t begin till after sunset because the family Rabbi wouldn’t begin to travel from Queens to Teaneck till there were three stars in the sky. Dinner was served around 11:00 and you went home with the NY Times. We went to Bermuda on our honeymoon and began a life filled with lots and lots of love and lots and lots of laughter and lots and lots of challenges and lots and lots of compromise and lots and lots of blessings.
The secret to our marriage is simple. It is Eileen, known today as “GE”. She is first and foremost the one person in the world who really knows me. She is my best of besties. She knows what makes me laugh; what makes me cry; what I am proud of; what I am ashamed of; what I wish were different; what I wish will continue forever. She is a storyteller and a gift giver. She can tell you the story of how we met and what she said to me at the wedding of our friends’ when I asked her to dance. I still remember the black long dress with the white decolletage. She had ample cleavage to make it more than memorable. She gives gifts for every occasion to people I think we barely know. But try and buy her a gift!
Her greatest gift is her gift of love; a love that is laced with understanding and ‘negotiation’; a love that is littered with encouragement and wisdom; a love that makes me a better person and can’t be limited by words on a page. Has it been easy and without bumps? This is life I am talking about. This is being a clergy family I am reflecting on. She hates the word “Rebbitzen” but ask her to tell you the story that happened in the kitchen of the Temple’s Social Hall and let me tell you she has been the best Rabbinic spouse there could be because she defined her role as CEO – chief encouragement officer. And first in line to critique and first in line to keep me in line. And she lived her own professional life from teacher to Julia Child to mother to Holocaust Educator to teacher again and always.
Has it been perfect? Life is not a Hallmark Card. Has it been wonderful? It has been passionate; it has been crazy fun and crazy maddening. The arc of our love hasn’t been symmetrical, but it has soared, and it has filled and completed me in ways I never expected. Yes! It’s been wonderful. And here is the best part; It has been together and it’s not over. The song we danced to at our wedding was “More”. To more and to whatever we have left: I love you.
ps – you will have to ask her the story of the Mustang
rabbiunplugged 
Love it and love Irene….too! Jim SugarmanCertified Life Coach/CEO Mentor/Nonprofit Consultant JimmieSugarman@gmail.com 561-762-3818As you can be anything in the world, be kind.
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Happy Anniversary to two people who have enriched my life and made me happier because of knowing them. I know the story of the Mustang.
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I remember going to a Crosby Stills Nash & Young concert with you and Eileen.
You were driving. I was in the back seat. At one point, I watched Eileen reach across the console and rest her hand on your forearm.
And I remember thinking “That’s what I would like to have.”
Keep writing, Howard. They get better and better.
Happy Anniversary – lots more to come!
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Happy anniversary to two of the most wonderful people I have ever met, known, and loved in my life.❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
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Happy Anniversary 💗
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What a beautiful and loving tribute. Eileen influenced me in more ways than I can count. When she was a Holocaust educator she initiated a book group within our Multicultural Ed department, and I learned more about the Holocaust from her and the books she chose for us to read and discuss than I ever learned from schoolteachers. She taught our entire department about the Jewish holidays by bringing apples and honey, and other treats. She led by example, and by being a friend. And she introduced me to you, a gentle man in every sense of the word, who, with Tom O, has become a spiritual mentor. I appreciate BOTH of you, and wish you many more very happy and healthy years together.
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A wonderful and detailed self-appraisal, Howard. Congratulations on 55 great years together! Thats a really big deal! Way to go.
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Happy Anniversary! I know and love the Eileen you described. I love you both individually and together. I can’t begin to describe all that you have given our family and how much you mean to us. Thank you for everything, more than you know. Korky
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What beautiful words of tribute to GE! Love and joy were in every sentence! Wishing you a very, very happy Anniversary!
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Mazel tov to Eileen and to you Rabbi. Celebrate well. Dean
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Mazal Tov! Love to you both. AndEileen, please tell us the story of the Mustang!
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iI loved reading this. it felt honest, sincere and joyful. Happy anniversary to you both. Here’s to many more years of celebration .
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What a wonderful tribute to your lives together. Your live shines when we see you. You are both fantastic individuals and a couple. You have made our lives better,just being there.
Love you both.
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Happy, happy anniversary to both of you! May you enjoy many more wonderful years together.
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So beautiful! I hope that you have a wonderful anniversary and many more celebrations of your marriage. You have both enriched my life and I value your friendship. With my love, Arlene
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I think that anybody after 55 years of marriage, would like to describe his or her relationship the way you do. You are both very special people with some good fortune thrown in.
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This is just beautiful. Thank you. It lifted my heart. Coming up on #52 this summer.
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Speaking from experience, a loving wife is your greatest asset (children and grandchildren excluded).
She is the keeper of forgotten names, the keeper of forgotten history, the keeper of forgotten parts of funny stories, the keeper of misplaced items (look in front of you), the keeper of style (are you zipped ?), the keeper of great recipes and the keeper of social and family contacts.
In other words……SHE’S A KEEPER!!!!!
Many more.
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What a great LOve Story and happy anniversary!!!!!!!!!! Love ya, sharon.
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This is an amazing ode to a unique marriage of special people. As usual, you elicit tears. I sent this on to Nicki because there is nothing I can wish for her but to have a marriage like Eileen’s and yours. (Even with all the little frustrations that arise and you each get over.)
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Please tell Eileen that I loved what you said about her. I could not find her email, so I couldn’t send her a note. Your relationship is SO special, and it is wonderful that after all these years, you both still know that. Much love to both of you. sharon
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Your words brought tears to my eyes.
Wishing you both the happiness deserved-
Love is the best word in the dictionary
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