Archive for July, 2008

On the Trail: Baker City, Haines and Astoria

On the Trail: La Grande and Enterprise

Politics

My oldest son Jake shot this picture in a Eugene Park the other day. This is how it feels to be in politics in Oregon.

25 years and counting.

I think I’m finally starting to understand why God created marriage. This partnership is about so much more than commitment, covenant or companionship.  For 29 years Kathy and I have shared our lives together. My twin sister Judi introduced us. In the early years Kathy was very quiet and I was the opposite. We dated for 4 years and then were married. This past Wednesday Kathy and I celebrated our 25th Wedding Anniversary.

We’ve been through so much together. We took a huge risk by moving to Coos Bay for our first job in television. We have two sons together which as any parent understands is both rewarding and stressful on a relationship. We watched Kathy’s grandfathers and my grandmother pass away. We went through the pain of losing Kathy’s mom and dad and then my father.

Even the decision to step out of television and into this political campaign was done together. Kathy and I are a team. We work together. I love this woman and I could care less how trite it may sound to say I couldn’t live without her. When you love someone this much you simply don’t care what people say.

We took a few days to travel to Washington State this past week. We needed to get away with each other and remember who we are as individuals and as a couple. Marriage is more than a couple of rings, a ceremony and a piece of paper.  It is far more than an institution. Marriage is a look. It’s a touch. It’s a glance that says no matter what happens I’m still here.

So, as I write these words I look across the kitchen and see my wife. The honeymoon is over. The campaign is back and so are all the bills and headaches that go with it. But we are a team. God is the glue that keeps us together. There will be more chances to get away, alone, together. But for now, it’s back to what we do best and that’s live life as it comes.

25 years and counting.

To see more of our pictures go to my Facebook Page.

 

On the Trail: John Day, Vale and Ontario