Tarryl and Doug celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary

My Grandmother always told me, marry your best friend.  Twenty-five years ago today, I did.

Doug and I first met back in high school.  The first time we hung out, Doug thought it would be funny to toss me into a pond at the State Fair.  We spent years having fun and spending time together and, though we were rarely able to find a song on the radio we both liked when driving in the car, we did find we were much more than just friends.

Twenty-five years ago today, we were married. 

As we were planning our wedding, our ongoing discussion was about how there had never been an official proposal.

As I was getting ready for the ceremony, putting on my mom's wedding dress, a rose and scroll was delivered to me.

The scroll was a certificate Doug had earned as an all-American steeplechaser at St. John's University.  He had never filled it in.  But on our wedding day, he had it delivered to me with a calligraphed message:

Will you marry me, Tarryl?

Well, I did.  And that certificate still hangs on the wall in my Senate office.

For twenty-five years, Doug and I have shared family, faith and community.  We've treasured our time in the outdoors, camping, cross-country skiing, boating and biking; our time dedicated to youth ministry; being soccer, basketball, and sports parents (and just parents in general!) to our two boys, Colin and Nathan... and, of course, devoted ourselves to many a campaign.  Last night after work, he logged another 4 hours on the phones for the Congressional race - so, after 25 years, I can still count on him for the hard stuff!

So to Doug, Happy Anniversary!