70 Comments
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lewpowell's avatar

A lovely column after all these years, and so are y'all....

Tommy Tomlinson's avatar

Thank you, Lew! You and Dannye were and are role models for us...

Laura Fitzpatrick's avatar

I love this - thank you for sharing it again. Happy Anniversary!

Tommy Tomlinson's avatar

Thank you, Laura!

Jena's avatar

How absolutely beautiful. You are both so lucky❤️

Tommy Tomlinson's avatar

We sure do feel lucky :)

Sherry Fowler's avatar

I wrote to you years ago when one of my children got married, because I had lost my copy of that column. You graciously and generously sent it to me, and I have given a copy of that column as the "card" with a wedding shower gift to every engaged couple I know. I can tell you that your words are treasured by 20-30 couples. (I'm too old to remember the exact number.) There's another guy who saw himself as a "fat guy with bad teeth" who treasures your words--my husband. When he read that column, he told me that he had never known exactly how to say what he felt for me when we met, but you did it perfectly.

And I bet that Alix has never seen you that way, just as I have never seen that when I look at my beloved.

Tommy Tomlinson's avatar

Sherry--this made my day! Alix and I are so honored and proud to know that you have given that column to so many people. We sure do hope it was meaningful to them. Your gesture is definitely meaningful to us ...

Sherry Fowler's avatar

It has been meaningful to every couple to whom I have given it. My favorite response is also the most common one: "once I got up off the floor..". I have lost count of how many bridegrooms told me "that's EXACTLY how I felt when she said she'd go out with me!"

Nan in Graham's avatar

Gosh I love that! Happy Anniversary to you guys!

Tommy Tomlinson's avatar

Thank you, Nan! It was a great one. But they have all been great.

Ellen's avatar

Congratulations! Wishing you many more wonderful years together!

Tommy Tomlinson's avatar

Thank you, Ellen! We're shooting for many more as well :)

Gina Davidson's avatar

One of my all-time favorites. You are a treasure, Tommy. Congrats on 28 years!

Tommy Tomlinson's avatar

Gina! So good to hear from you. All our love to you and Larry.

Meri Kock's avatar

Starting my morning with happy tears was not on my Bingo card, but that’s okay. It’s a good way to begin the day. Thank you for sharing.

Tommy Tomlinson's avatar

Sometimes you need to go off the Bingo card :) Thanks for this sweet note.

Nan's avatar

Such a beautifully written account of a special day. Happy Anniversary to you and Alix. May you have many more. ❤️🥂

Tommy Tomlinson's avatar

Thank you, Nan. And thanks for the champagne glasses :)

Valérie Helmbreck Mascitti's avatar

Oh, you made me cry again. I found my best one 51 years ago and I can’t explain how I know how I know but you know. Thanks for the tears.

Tommy Tomlinson's avatar

Thank you, Valérie! We can't wait to get to 51 years ourselves...

Marjorie Richardson's avatar

Thanks for sharing. Love to you both 💕Marjie

Tommy Tomlinson's avatar

Thank you, Marjie! We love you.

Toni Rhegness's avatar

Beautiful column. Makes your heart break for those who never have that. And I'm so fortunate to have had it too. Keep hope alive.

Tommy Tomlinson's avatar

Thank you so much, Toni. "Keep hope alive"--that's exactly it.

Barbara Yager's avatar

Gulp. Like ALL of your writing you put your heart out for us to examine. Brave. That is the way I always think of you as a writer. Bravo.

Tommy Tomlinson's avatar

Thanks so much, Barbara.

Debbie Davis's avatar

Happy Anniversary!❤️

Tommy Tomlinson's avatar

Thanks, Debbie! All our best to you and Ann...

Edisto's avatar

Thank you for a lovely column this morning. Many Happy Anniversaries.🤗🤗🤗

Dottie Turner Leatherwood's avatar

I remember reading your column then, when the Observer and coffee was how I started each morning. (Man, I miss the smell of newsprint in the morning.) The Observer left my world long ago but glad that your words are still in it! Happy Anniversary!

Tommy Tomlinson's avatar

I miss that newsprint smell, too ... we still have the memories, right? Thanks for the kind words.