It’s Been Thirteen Years

Thirteen years ago, at an elegant hotel in Coronado, California, Ana Tigre gracefully strode into the resort lobby wearing a stunning red wedding dress. We walked hand in hand outdoors where a grand white gazebo awaited, and but a few very meaningful moments later, she was my wife. A brief stroll away were the white sands and Pacific Ocean on the infamous Silver Strand beach. We spent the remains of the day bathed in a glorious sunset, immortalizing that most important day of our lives together.

We lived in Las Vegas at the time because it was a great place to be based out of when you spend most of your time in airports. I was flying somewhere most of the year, working as a freelance photographer and writer for fitness industry magazines. Ana owned her women’s fitness wear company and traveled with me to events to sell clothing, compete in contests, and modeling for magazine photoshoots. When we were home, every day was a date. There were frequent romantic driving trips to Los Angeles and San Diego for business, and sometimes international trips for work and play.

One day she announced that she wanted to have a family. I was in my fifties and thought she was out of her mind, but she insisted she wasn’t. We went through the licensing process and became foster parents in the state of Nevada. Kwamane was four months old when we brought him home. Then our girls came along, and finally Cole, and eventually God opened the doors for us to adopt. Four years ago we moved to Florida and the perfect place to raise a family. We found a church we love and our walk with God became our number one priority. This past August Kwamane celebrated his ninth birthday.

I could write volumes about the past nine years. The losses, the pain, the anger and fear, the injustice, and the hand of a loving and just God, murder attempts on our lives, the loss of way too many friends and loved family members, near bankruptcy during Covid, and more miracles by the hand of God than I can count. We have experienced lows that tighten our stomachs to this day, and highs that still bring tears to my eyes at the thought. And yet here we are, still in love, still together, and on stronger ground than we ever imagined we could be.

We had planned to celebrate our anniversary today but as it turned out, today was about work for Ana. We were up before six this morning as she had an event she needed to attend. I spent the day with our kids. We got home a couple hours ago and both of us were tired. The kids were spent and went to bed.

The lights went out, and Ana went into our room while I hurried to write this brief tribute to our love before joining her.

And then the Ana I love. The one that is a mom but has never forgotten what it means to be in love with her husband, just walked out of our bedroom in a long and fitted red dress and black high-heeled sandals. It’s the outfit she set aside for our anniversary celebration tonight, but our kids and family priorities came first. She stood there smiling for me as I took my time intoxicated by the vision of my bride. Her long black curly hair, soft olive skin, her chocolate brown eyes, ruby red lipstick, and that smile. The same incredible smile that has melted my heart all these years.

And she just did it all just for me.

I have never appreciated her more, respected her more, trusted her more, desired her more, or been more devoted to her and in a love that is indescribable.

I thank God for her every single day. Happy Anniversary Ana Maria, my bride, my love.