Friday is our fifth wedding anniversary, which is a pretty amazing thing. My 
husband John Pitts and I first met more than 30 years ago, when we were journalism students at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, his hometown. Our relationship timeline goes something like this: Dating, breakup, dating, breakup, Cathy wants to get married and John doesn’t, Cathy gets married to somebody else (pause here for 16 or so years until Cathy gets divorced), dating, breakup, dating, breakup, John wants to get married and Cathy doesn’t, dating, breakup, dating, breakup and then somehow both of us want to get married at the same time. Success! And the thing is, even 
through all the breakups (except for the 16-year married-to-somebody-else thing) we’ve been best friends. We argue, we laugh, we edit each other’s copy, he takes out the garbage and I remind him of family birthdays — what a team! Our wedding was so much fun, and I had the best bridesmaids ever in my two daughters. We had started out planning a surprise wedding — inviting folks for a party and then springing a ceremony on them — but the girls wisely talked us out of that idea so we had a wedding sort of squeezed in between two parties: We had a cocktail party first at this wonderful historic home in 
downtown Murfreesboro and then everybody walked over to the church for the ceremony and then walked back to the home for a reception. Bonus: We stayed in another historic house that was a bed-and-breakfast directly across the street — so convenient. One of my best memories from the wedding was looking out at the congregation and seeing all our dear family and friends gathered there for us. I don’t think younger brides realize how special that is. Or how special it is to marry the person you care about most in the world, the person who makes you laugh and doesn’t mind when you cry at movies and tells you how to make your writing better, even if that person does listen to Rush Limbaugh. Every day.
Coffee with Cathy
Pour a cup & take a break
Coffee with Cathy 
Happy Anniversary what a great love story!
Happy Anniversary. Sometimes love takes the bumpy road but in the end you still get to your destination.
Sorry about the Rush Limbaugh thing. I’m sure he only listens for entertainment value, right?
Oh I loved your relationship timeline. You all looked beautiful on your wedding day. I agree, the mature bride really appreciates all who surround her on the big day. Congratulations you two! Joan and I shall raise a glass of bubbly to you and Mr. Pitts today (even if he likes Rush. …. )
Funny thing…. as the marriage years pile up, we need a second shower to replenish all the items that are worn out…. blankets, toasters, etc……. xo
Now, that’s a great love story! You two were obviously meant to be – it just took a while for you both to realize it at the same time!
Can’t believe that was 5 years ago. It was a wonderful wedding and reception! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY Cathy and John!
I’ll be happy to bring my holy oil and perform a Rush Limbaugh exorcism.
YGFSG
Happy Anniversary! Glad you finally got it together! 🙂
A wonderful love story. Congratulations on your fifth wedding anniversay, and wishing you many more to come!
Thank you all so much. And Sarah, I’m going to take you up on that offer!
Great story, you should write a screenplay I can so see it as a rom-com. You looked great on you wedding day too, I love you hair like that and the dress: fab!
Congratulations! That is a true love story. And he sounds like such a gem that I might even put up with the Rush.
Congrats! Those are awesome pictures!
Happy anniversary! That is a wonderful love story. Obviously you were meant to be together.
Cathy,
Has it really been five years?? Laughter and friendship are indeed the most important things in a marriage. You and John are two very, very fortunate people. Have a lovely weekend. l Love you –
Congratulations, You both are lucky folks. You are meant to be a couple! And what a wonderful couple you are!!!
Eryl and all — Thank you! You can imagine how hard it was for a 46-year-old hippy (and that is without the “ie,” you know!) to find a stylish, comfortable and flattering wedding dress. I found my dress online from a designer in California, who could only ship it as a wholesale order to a retailer — the ladies at the local wedding shop who helped me out were quite scandalized at the thought of a wedding dress WITH BLACK FLOWERS ON IT, but after they saw it they loved it and still are talking about it.
You all are too much! I so appreciate such kind thoughts. And Susan, Jana, Cheryl and Evelyn — you have no idea how much it meant to us that you were there that day. You made it so special.