34th Anniversary, Logo, & Love Song Mixtape
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Our Anniversary Tradition typically includes 6 Things:
The Anniversary Logo
The Love Song Mixtape
The Ever-Expanding Bouquet of Roses
The Fancy Schmancy Dinner
The Getaway
Kara’s Valentine’s Decorations
1. About this year’s logo:
It’s our 34th 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 34th Anniversary Mixtape
CLICK to play all the 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
Somethin’ ‘Bout a Woman • Thomas Rhett
Loving You • Al Green
Some People Never Know • Wings
All the Small Things • Blink 182
Kiss Me Until My Lips Fall Off • Lebanon Hanover
Baby I’m-a Want You • Bread
Danny’s Song • Loggins and Messina
Whenever I Call You Friend • Kenny Loggins and Stevie Nicks
Say You Love Me • Fleetwood Mac
Baby, I Love Your Way • Peter Frampton
Baby Hold On • Eddie Money
How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You) • James Taylor
Chevy Van • Sammy Johns
Future Days • Pearl Jam
Never Too Much • Luther Vandross
Just Kissed My Baby • The Meters
Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows • Lesley Gore
Let's Stick Together • Bryan Ferry
Slow as a Southern Drawl • Bill O'Hanlon
I Love You Because • Jim Reeves
You're The Best Thing • The Style Council
More Than A Woman • Bee Gees
Life Is but a Dream • The Harptones
Ends of the Earth • Lord Huron
Sign on the Window • Bob Dylan
Stuck With You • Huey Lewis & The News
Hilarious Love Song • The Moron Brothers
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You • Hank Williams
I Love You Because • Johnny Cash
Hey, Good Lookin’ • Hank Williams
Home • Robert Grace
Always Love You Like A Good Old Dog • Oliver Anthony
I Melt With You • Modern English
Me in my garden • Julia Gartha
Groove Me • King Floyd
Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher & Higher • Jackie Wilson
By My Side • Connor Price
Count on Me • Bruno Mars
Steady Love • India Arie
All I Ever Need Is You • Jerry Reed & Chet Atkins
All I Ever Need Is You (cover) • Sierra Hull
3. Bouquet of Roses… usually…
Usually, I always give Kara one red rose (34) 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. This year, however, we are visiting our daughter and her boyfriend in Los Angeles, where there are many flower street vendors. Kara loves sunflowers, so I got her these.
39 Years Friends, 34 Years Partners
Summer 1987 — February 14, 2026
Friends first and friends last.
4. Fancy Schmancy Dinner
Emily and Michael made reservations for us at Checker Hall, an old Masonic Temple. They are so kind to spend their Valentine’s dinner with us!
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
This year, our daughter Emily made us an L.A. Tour Guide for Christmas.
This past Christmas, we told the kids that we didn’t want presents, but would love them to plan an event to do together: go to dinner, a movie, a picnic, an activity, whatever, and we would pay for it. We just would prefer to spend time with them. So, our daughter Emily went all out and made this amazing L.A. Tour Guide for us, where we would come visit her and her wonderful boyfriend in Los Angeles, and they would take us to their favorite local places. It was over-the-top thoughtful and fun.
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.
Thursday
Got to see their charming home in Pasadena and his exciting new business venture.
Frontera Taquería (Tijuana style)
Deb’s Park Pond
Little Dom’s (Italian)
Screened The ChalkDoc together as a family.
Friday
Showed us where she worked and introduced us to her friendly, welcoming co-workers, where we had our first shrub soda.
Lunch at Playita Mariscos
Griffith Observatory
Michael made us the most amazing yogurt chicken tanduri and homemade na’an bread.
We played Settlers of Catan
Saturday
Belle’s Delicatessen (amazing authentic Jewish-style bagels).
Bob Baker’s Marionette Show
Dinner at Checker Hall
Sunday
Breakfast at Seed Bakery
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.
