23 Years ago

"Many, many years ago in a land far, far away...," woops, wrong epic story.

As Frank sat down with the latest member to join the Luppe clan this morning, with a warm cup of coffee and a throw in his recliner, his mind focused back on the activities of 23 years ago, on March 19, 1988.

It was a Spring day, but a little on the brisk side. It had been threatening to rain, but that morning it appeared the storms would hold off at least until after the planned festivities of that evening. You see, that day, that in some ways seems like eons ago, but in other ways seems like just yesterday, was the day Frank would wed his beautiful wife, Tammy.

The evening hopefully would culminate, if all the plans worked out, with he and his bride officially married, and celebrating their new life together in a swanky bridal suite in downtown Nashville, a brief stop on their way to a much-deserved honeymoon on the beaches of Florida.

They were going to live happily ever after, have 2.3 children, be successful beyond their wildest dreams, drive new cars (if they drove at all), live in mansions, be global travelers, it was going to be great.

Well, that was the plan, anyway.

Now, this morning as the steam rolled off the top of the coffee, and little Potter snuggled in the crook of Frank's arm, Frank realized that the past 23 years were, and are, for that matter, better than he ever would have imagined. He and Tammy have managed to travel many miles together, travelling to such exotic places as Lone Rock, WI, Panama City Beach, Florida, Coraopolis, PA, Gatlinburg, TN, St. Paul, MN and Houston, TX. They have collectively changed jobs/positions nearly 20 times, they have had, between the two of them, over 16 vehicles (only a very few brand new), have called 6 places home, have two beautiful daughters, Allison and Kendall, and have had 6 dogs/puppies, 1 cat and 1 hamster. That's not counting the unclaimed "pets," such as the mouse that lived in the unworkable fireplace in the first home. They've had their share of leaky roofs, bad paint jobs, crumbling foundations, and busted pipes.

So, what sticks out in the mind as those memorable events that make the events of 23 years ago all the more significant? Is it the big events like the births of their daughters? The anniversary celebrations? The huge family events? The holidays?

Well, of course they are important beyond any stretch of the imagination, but Frank spread a grin across his face as he thought of sitting on the deck in Nashville on a warm summer evening sharing a bottle of wine and talking about the past, present and future. That was the conversation led to the decision of Frank to change careers to that of an accountant.

He thinks of the ice storm in Bowling Green where they boiled water on the woodstove to be able to take warm baths. No electricity for a week, but they managed to never get cold in that rustic log cabin that had the worst heating system in the world.

He thinks of the anxiety each of them felt when they moved away from Clarksville for the first time in 1989, all the way to Madisonville, KY, leaving behind the families they cherished, no longer just a walk down the road or a quick trip across town, but soon to be an hour away, a long distance phone call to talk.

He thinks of the countless lunches they shared at any one of several patio tables in the Arcade when they both worked in downtown Nashville, working on crossword puzzles together and participating in the activity of "people watching." (Now, that was fun!)

He thinks of the vacations they took to the beaches of Florida, the mountains of Gatlinburg, DisneyWorld, St. Paul and on and on. Sometimes, not really sure how they were going to pay for it, but knowing the vacation would be worth it.

He thinks of that first night, getting stuck in the elevator on the way to the honeymoon suite, because he didn't know the suites were on a secure floor and you had to take an extra step to get to the rooms.

He thinks of quietly watching the television for hours, not saying a word, but knowing that all is right with the world as long as Tammy is in the room.

He thinks of the many friends and acquaintances they have met and kept over the years. Many of those friends, along with a very supportive family, gathered together in that Lutheran Church in 1988, to witness the ceremony and share in the happiness of the new couple. That night, that sanctuary seemed so large and looming to Frank; today, its considered a chapel. He remembers thinking how beautiful Tammy, on the arm of her father, looked as she made the walk to the chancel of the church. It seemed to take forever for her to get there. But, get there she did. The Pastor led them through the ceremony, there was a reception in the fellowship hall of the church, and after a couple of more stops, they were on their way. Married. Wed. Mr. and Mrs. Luppe.

Tonight, Tammy and Frank will celebrate those 23 years of marriage. Nothing outlandish, a nice, quiet dinner at a restaurant they have a gift certificate to in Nashville, perhaps a movie or a walk in downtown. They will return home to their daughters, and get on with the getting on of life and its challenges.

Frank is firm in his belief that the past 23 years would have been so very, very different without Tammy. And, not in a good way. He would not have experienced the love they have shared, the accomplishments they have enjoyed, the challenges they have met together, the two most beautiful daughters in the world, and the warmest of homes that she has created.

Has it been all milk and honey, peaches and cream, a bed of roses? Well, of course not.

Its been so, so, much better than that!

Happy Anniversary, Suggee...looking forward to the spending the rest of eternity with you by my side!

So long, 2010...Welcome, 2011

A couple of weeks ago, Frank enjoyed some quiet time with a cup of coffee on a Sunday morning. Somehow, what had shaped up to be another frantic Sunday of getting ready for church turned into a windfall of about 25 minutes on the deck in some unseasonably warm weather. As he sipped on the coffee and watched as Shay pawwed her way across the back yard looking for that "perfect spot," it occurred to Frank that yet another year was in its last few weeks. Most of the leaves in the trees of Rustling Oaks have either fallen or passed the peak of their color a few weeks earlier.

The realization that another year had begun its final dash through the holidays brought on time of reflection of the events of the past year. It has been a year of triumphs and sadness, accomplishments and challenges. The opening of a new office with the ribbon cutting and the meeting of so many new friends and clients; the bidding of sad farewells to those who have passed on from this life; the accomplishment of goals met and and the challenges of facing the demands of day-to-day existence.

On the local, state and political stages, it has been another year of change, watching voters on all levels essentially tell their leaders, "we're not happy with the way things are being done...,'' and saying so in a non-violent way through the ballot. No riots, no screaming, no rock-throwing as is so-often the scene on the nightly news. Just a change in leadership and a transition of power as directed by the voters. It never ceases to amaze Frank how this plays out at least one time a year on some level of government. This year has been a unique year in that all levels of government have seen some, if not significant, change.

On a personal level, Frank has witnessed changes in the family he holds so dear. Tammy, coming to the realization that her youngest is nearing the age of preschool and beyond, has re-entered the workplace. A government job, and one that has a lot of potential for growth. It will be interesting to watch as Tammy and Kendall make this adjustment.

Allison, Frank and Tammy's oldest, probably experienced the most change of anyone in their family. She continued to feel her way down the path to adulthood; taking not one, but two, trips out of state without her parents, the second even negotiating her way through air travel on her own. Frank remembers that week, kissing her on the forehead before leaving for work on Tuesday. He remembered thinking 'she's too young to be flying by herself.' But on Sunday, as he, Tammy and Kendall watched as Allison came down the escalator to the baggage claim area, Frank remembers thinking, 'Wow! What happened to my little girl?' Allison had met the challenge, made new friends and had experiences she will remember for a lifetime. She had entered young adulthood, and the process could not be reversed.

But, Allison wasn't done yet. In September, Allison joined the ranks of driving America. The process has begun, with journeys under the watchful, yet nervous, eye of Frank. Frank has had to make adjustments during this process as well. Its hard for him to sit in the passenger seat knowing he's not in control of the situation, and having to place his trust in the not-so-little girl that he and Tammy have watched mature to this point. Allison is turning the page on a journey that will last a lifetime...a journey that Tammy and Frank have done their best to equip her for, and can only hope they have done an adequate enough job.

The coming year, well, Frank had taken a look at the blogs written last year, and realized that in some ways, the year of 2010 had seen a mixed bag. Yes, Frank and Tammy had watched as their lovely daughters continued to mature beyond their expectations. Tammy had re-entered the workforce, Luppe CPA had continued to grow in revenues and clients served, Frank had attained the designation of CFE, a goal specifically mentioned last year.

With growth comes the need for capital, and so the debt had not been reduced as much as Frank and Tammy had wanted, although they were able to secure some favorable refinancing terms on their mortgage. So, with time, and some additional income and reduced expenses, the debt should continue its downward trend.

So again, the Luppe's wish all their friends and family and Happy and Prosperous New Year. May your triumphs and accomplishments be many and may your disappointments and sadnesses be few and far between. Hang on all...here comes 2011!