We Eloped 40 Years Ago

Posted on March 17, 2020 by Laurie Buchanan

Len and I eloped on St. Patrick’s Day forty years ago. My parents were less than thrilled, but they soon discovered that he’s a terrific guy and ended up loving him as much as they loved me.

People often ask us the recipe for our success. The secret is in the way we express our love. Here’s a list of our favorite ingredients:

Mutual respect
Intentional kindness
Active listening
Forgiveness
Quality individual time, balanced with quality together time
Personal hobbies, balanced with mutual interests
Laughter. Definitely laughter!

What’s your favorite relationship ingredient?

Swept Off Our Feet

Posted on March 17, 2015 by Laurie Buchanan

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Thirty-five years ago — March 17, 1980 — Len and I swept each other off our collective feet and eloped on St. Patrick’s Day.

Each wearing jeans, tennis shoes, and Snoopy t-shirts, we drove lickety-split in my fire engine red Dodge Colt from Escondido to The Chapel of Happiness in San Diego where after paying $32.50 we were pronounced husband and wife. Averaging 92-cents per year, it’s — bar none — the best investment we ever made.

What’s the best investment you ever made?

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We Eloped 34 Years Ago

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Laurie Buchanan

The blue recipe box in the photo below contains worn and tattered handwritten recipes for some of our favorites: my mom’s baked beans (with pickle juice and bacon), my sister’s pretzel jello (perfect for bunco), my great aunt’s crustless quiche (breakfast, lunch, or dinner), and my friend’s peanut butter cookies (to die for)!

Yesterday — St. Patrick’s Day — we celebrated our 34th wedding anniversary. People often ask us the recipe for our success. A few of our best-loved ingredients include:

Mutual respect
Intentional kindness
Active listening
Forgiveness
Quality individual time, balanced with quality together time
Individual hobbies, balanced with mutual interests
Laughter. Definitely laughter!

It’s been said:
Long-married couples look alike.
I don’t see any resemblance. Do you?

What’s your favorite relationship ingredient?

Leapin’ Leprechauns!

Posted on March 17, 2011 by Laurie Buchanan

Leapin' Leprechauns!

Recently we were invited by Kayley and our son to visit their booth at a Spring Craft Fair in Palatine, Illinois. This was no small event. When we arrived, Len and I had to divide and conquer to find them. He found them first and when he backtracked to get me he said, “You’re not going to believe it!”

Rounding the corner, I could see what he meant. Leapin’ Leprechauns! They looked adorable manning the booth in their festive garb.

Thirty-one years ago today, Len and I eloped on St Patrick’s Day. I assure you that my parents had a wee bit more to say than Leapin’ Leprechauns! As it turns out, they didn’t have anything to worry about. I did, indeed, find a pot of love at the end of the rainbow and everyone lived happily ever after…

When was the last time you saw a leprechaun?

Listen with your heart,

Laurie Buchanan

“Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing.”
– Laurie Buchanan

Tuesdays with Laurie

"Whatever you are not changing, you are choosing." —Laurie Buchanan

Tag Archives: St. Patrick’s Day

We Eloped 40 Years Ago

Swept Off Our Feet

We Eloped 34 Years Ago

Leapin’ Leprechauns!