Phantom
It all started in 1995. My little sister bought front-row seats at
Phantom of the Opera, at Her Majesty’s Theatre in London, as wedding presents for us.
In 1998 our software team was recognized by management, and with the bonus that was paid out I purchased tickets to see Phantom of the Opera, at The Fox Theatre in St Louis as a 3rd anniversary gift. Alison, being a math & science geek like myself, immediately asked “does this represent a mathematical progression? We saw Phantom in year zero of the marriage, now again on year three. What about year six?”
Year six came around and we celebrated our anniversary in San Antonio, TX. Chosen specifically because Phantom was playing there. And thus it was settled. Every three years.
It’s funny, looking back, because more of a special deal was made about our 9th anniversary than the “big one-zero” at 10 years: we stayed in the Hilton in New York, and saw Phantom on Broadway, to celebrate year nine.
Continuing the tradition was important – forget the passing of a mere decade, it was the full-dozen that was more of a deal. For year twelve we saw Phantom of the Opera, at The Venetian in Las Vegas.
So, what’s next?
August next year, and I am already planning. It’s year fifteen – a Phantom Year – and the options are endless. As usual the question isnt “what will you do to celebrate your anniversary?” it will be a question merely of where … and therein lies the delicious mystery!