35th anniversary

[As always:  click any photo to enlarge all.]

For me:  35 years married to PJ.  It seems beyond impossible that so many years have flowed by, but here we are. In a life filled with ridiculously good luck - I don't think anything can beat that I ran into the right person at the right time.  Which I definitely did.

Having unexpectedly enjoyed a short campus visit a couple years back, we determined to spend anniversary #35 where it all started - at the Notre Dame campus.  It was a good choice.  The venerable Morris Inn was just emerging from a significant re-do, so we thought we'd stay there.  That also was a good choice (though the main restaurant was undergoing renovations, so we missed out on testing it).

We sat quite a while outside the Log Chapel.  Recalling.  (5/23/15)

Reception line  outside Log Chapel (5/24/80).  Steven Rodgers (GP professor) greeting PJ.

With Mom & Dad outside Log Chapel (reception line, 5/24/80)

Perhaps it's the passage of quite a few years.  Perhaps it has something to do with the still relatively fresh news that my mother is dying of cancer. Maybe the years simply permit us to get a bit wiser, or at least more appreciative.  Maybe some sort of grace is involved.  Certainly it made a difference that we were in exactly the same geography at exactly the same day of the year as we were married.  Whatever the combination of factors - as we sat near the Log Chapel and tried to be as still as possible - the sensation of 5/24/80, and those that were there with us - and particularly those no longer with us - the presence of the ghosts, let's say - was strong, and somehow nigh-tangible, and deeply appreciated.  Sweet/bittersweet.

One last visit by the Log Chapel on night before departure; moon glow on lake.  (5/26/15)

NDGC shows up (part of the contingent here outside Log Chapel:  Dave Kollar, John Jacobs,
Joe Donovan, Brian Shappell (with Andrea); Alice Vitacco and Monk in back. (5/24/80)

Among others in reception line outside Log Chapel (5/24/80):  Joe, Margaret, Ann, 
Kathy Gales; Cecilia and Mary Gales.

We asked a great deal of folks in May 1980 - as circumstances played out, we gave about 12 days notice of the wedding.  Yet the photos from the big day show dozens of folks who interrupted their lives to travel hundreds of miles (in most cases) to be with us.  I thought about all that, sitting there in front of the Log Chapel.  It was kind of overwhelming.  What a great day; what a wonderful journey was launched.

Ernest J. Gales and Monk with us; standing immediately left of Log Chapel. (5/24/80)

From Chicago-land (part of the contingent):  Voe, Nancy, Pat, Rita, Jan, Patrick O'Donnell  (5/24/80)

From Iowa/Minnesota (immediate family):  EMG, Charlie, HSG, Steve (me and PJ), Dolores,
Therese, Mary, Carol, Cecilia  (5/24/80)

I wasn't planning to include interior shots in this discussion of "outside the 
Log Chapel" - but I just love this photo.  

Memorial Day weekend was very quiet on campus, and in South Bend proper.  We hadn't really anticipated this.  It was a big plus.  For folks who have been away from campus for a while - there's nothing more evocative than the opportunity to walk around a deserted campus - yes, it permits imagination and remembrance to bloom.

I like this shot - looking west on South Quad.  We wandered here countless times in the late '70s.

This is the kind of view one gets wandering around the lakes.

ND #1 landmark.

Lit a candle for Grandma.

The church (now basilica) is very fancy indeed.

Taken in a stairwell in O'Shaughnessy Hall - where liberal arts classes were held  in the late '70s.  PJ and I
met in a Great Books Seminar in January 1977 (junior year).  Class was held mid-afternoon
on Mondays and Wednesdays.  We hit it off right away; as the semester progressed, we'd sit on the 
ledges here and chat for an hour or so after class before heading our separate ways (fencing practice for her, 
NDGC for me).  This is where a big part of the "getting to know each other" process happened.

PJ and I had our first date here - 5/5/77.  Much enjoyed, even if I dozed off a while.  Hey, I was comfortable with her.

Some things that happened in our 2015 visit:

1. Benefiting from slow season - the hotel upgraded us into a really nice suite.  Fun.
2. The hotel location - right on campus - is unbeatable.  Step out the door into immediate immersion.  Which is what we were looking for.
3. South Bend restaurant scene has really picked up.  Wonderful dinners at Cafe Navarre and at the LaSalle Grill.  O'Rourke's - in Eddy Commons - was our go-to stopping place.  Evil Czech Brewery in Mishawaka is doing fine things.
4. We walked, and walked, and walked - all 'round campus.  And around the lakes.  And over to St. Mary's.  This never gets tiring for us.
5. We also drove around town a bit - visited a number of the places where we (and, eventually, N and C) lived - fun recollections.
6. Very enjoyable visit with Bill Seetch and his wife and son - they have a lovely house near campus - it was great to catch up with Bill, and to meet them.
7. Caught up with John Conley - every bit as enjoyable.
8. Seasonal weather throughout - occasionally rainy/humid, but quite excellent for the most part.  We much enjoy the change of weather.

Most of all - we enjoyed spending the time together,and remembering, and appreciating.  It was a great trip.  I'm lucky.

629 S. Carroll Street.  We had the apartment on this corner, first floor.  Located in a bit of a scramble
after returning from Stanford (described here).  I was a second-year law student.  Nicole joined us on 5/5/81.

University Village apartments (married student housing).  PJ, Nicole, and I lived here during my
third year of law school.  We were on top floor, immediately to right of the entrance.
Chris joined us 4/9/82.

As always - enjoyed catching up with John Conley. 

Another favorite photo . . . 5/24/80 . . .