Our Anniversary Tradition typically includes 6 Things:

The Anniversary Logo
The Love Song Playlist
The Ever-Expanding Bouquet of Roses
The Fancy Schmancy Dinner
The Getaway
Kara’s Valentines Decorations

1. About this year’s logo:

It’s our 33rd Anniversary!

Why these Anniversary Logos?

Many moons ago, I considered becoming a graphic designer. I became a therapist instead. However, I've long dabbled in graphic design and do most of my own marketing and design materials. It's fun. And I've designed all our anniversary logos.

I also teach a workshop called "Creating the GREAT Relationship Brand" on how to use branding, marketing, and customer service concepts from business in our own relationships. So, several years ago, I came up with the idea of creating our own brand for our relationship. While I do a different logo each year, the actual brand aspect that remains constant in each iteration is the “I ♥ Kara.” And the number one thing to know in marketing is that a brand is not just a logo. A brand is an identity. A brand is a promise. And “I ♥ Kara” is who we are (identity), and it is my promise. Love is not just a feeling; it’s a promise regardless of how I feel.

I put it on the back windows of our vehicles as a vinyl sticker every year. Over the years, friends and locals have come to look for it and anticipate the next year's asking, "Are you doing a new one this year?"

Yep! Here it is :-)

2. Our 33rd Anniversary Playlist (33 songs!)

Throughout the year, I collect love songs specifically for our next anniversary. I especially prefer love songs that speak to commitment, dedication, and behavioral love, not just romantic or feeling-based love.

So if you're a romantic sap, like me, then enjoy these gems—some old, some new, some popular, some obscure. And if you like these, look for my prior years' playlists for many, many more: https://relategreat.net/the-anniversary-logos

Put playlist here…

3. Bouquet of Roses

One red rose (33) for each year we've been married, and one yellow rose for the coming year of friendship. We were friends well before we ever dated, and we've been friends through all the love, arguments, ups and downs.

38 Years Friends, 33 Years Partners
Summer 1987 — February 14, 2025

Friends first and friends last.

4. Fancy Schmancy Dinner

Where…???

For many years, we didn't have much as students, and even after I graduated, I was the primary breadwinner working as a therapist for mental health agencies (which don't pay much), so the budget has always been tight. We often couldn't afford a fancy, expensive dinner. I realized a long time ago, though, that putting aside $10 each month meant $120 I could spend on my baby once a year to take her to a really nice restaurant. So, even though we were poor, I found a way to splurge, too, and add a real exclamation point (!) to our anniversary. It's easier now, financially, thank goodness, but even then, we found a way to make it special.

Kara's an amazing cook (a.k.a. "Culinary Wizard") and knows and appreciates fine food. When we do go out for fine dining, it's fun for me to watch her enjoy an especially well-prepared meal by an amazing and talented chef. Her anticipation while reading the menu and taking in the ambiance is palpable. When the dishes arrive, she exults in the presentation and flavors. She knowledgeably explains how the food was prepared. Her refined palate can distinguish the subtleties of the various ingredients. She teaches me what the terms and fancy words mean. It's a real joy to eat with her. It's well worth the expense.

5. The Getaway

When we were first married, we liked just to wander around, window shop, look at antique shops, sit in bookstores, and read. We didn't have to buy anything (and often couldn't anyway). We just enjoyed "pal-ing around" together. When the kids were little, and we couldn't afford an overnight getaway, we would still get away by getting a babysitter and taking the whole day off together. As the kids got older, with the help of our flight attendant friends(!), we were able to go to Disneyland, Hawaii, a Cruise, and New Orleans for our anniversaries. Those were especially fun anniversary trips. Some years we would do “staycations” and stay in a nice hotel somewhere local in Salt Lake City or Park City. We’ve gone to Utah’s beautiful parks: Zion’s National Park and the Escalante Yurts, and another year, we took our vintage 1965 Roadrunner Camper to Goblin Valley State Park.

No matter where we go, simple or fancy, cheap or expensive, that's the main thing: We just enjoy being together. That's all that really matters.

This year, we did a tour of southern Arizona’s National Parks

Details…

6. Kara’s Valentines last all month long.

Kara decorates our home beautifully for Valentine’s to make it special. I see each of these as thoughtful Valentine from my girl.

That's how we do it. But there's no "right" way.

Valentine’s All Year. I share all of this here as clients and workshop participants often ask for examples of how to keep the love alive. This is one example. I recommend a “Valentines All Year” mentality to keep the romance going throughout the year: weekly date nights, take the time daily to share each other’s days (and really listen), plan get-aways, find thoughtful ways to show you care that are meaningful to your partner, a brief call or text during the day to say, “I’m thinking about you.”

What works for each couple (simple or complex, cheap or expensive) is the right way. So what are some of your favorite anniversary and/or Valentine's traditions, memories, activities? Comment below.