Twenty Years
We first met in Tokyo, I was only twenty three
I was readin’ a tolstoy novel when you turned to look at me
I was feelin’ lost and lonely, a stranger in a foreign place
But all my fears just disappeared when I first saw your face
Those early days are hazy now, snapshots in my mind
Sunrise on Mt. Fuji, a late night bicycle ride
Hitchhiking down to Kyushu, drinkin’ Asahi beers
All before we knew we’d be together twenty years
I followed you to London, found a flat in Parsons Green
You worked while I watched Neighbors, not a good routine
Our folks thought we were crazy and maybe they were right
Unsure about our future, we had some sleepless nights
But things they started looking up in March of ninety four
When you agreed to marry me, I couldn’t ask for more
We tied the knot out on a yacht with champagne toasts and cheers
I count that as the as the luckiest day I’ve had in twenty years
An American drinking coffee, an English girl with her tea
We packed up and we moved again, that seemed our destiny
Took holidays in Paris, Sicily, Barcelon’
When we returned to London, it felt like we were home
So we saved up a little money, bought a house in Halford road
Had to hire a feline therapist for our crazy black cat Moe
We drove a little Rover Metro, our jobs became careers
We were laying the foundation that would last us twenty years
In 1997, I had an opportunity,
But it meant you had to leave your home, you did that for me
I dragged you to New Hampshire, then out to Ohio
It's amazing how you find your place no matter where we go
Well we had a spell of tough times, hospitals, surgery
Every path ahead looked dark, the light was hard to see
But our love it grew stronger, we faced some of our worst fears
Learned to ride through the ups and downs you get over 20 years
Our life’s still a journey now, but more of the inward kind
Parenthood, mortality, shaping our hearts and minds
We’ve grown to be more patient, we’ve learned to compromise
We’re closer than we’ve ever been, we have the strongest ties
When I look on the horizon, not too far away
I imagine new adventures and unpredictable days
We’ve got so much more to see, we’re bound for new frontiers
one day we’ll look back and say, that was just the first twenty years
Now I want to thank you, and tell you that you’re looking fine
That I love to feel your arms around me, still can’t believe you’re mine
Do you know I can’t live without you, do you know how much I care
Do you know my heart still starts racing, when I’m watching you brush your hair
I want to make you happy, to make you feel loved each day
I’ll do everything I can, to make sure that you stay
I don’t know what the future holds, laughter, joy or tears
But it’s plain to me, hope you’ll agree, we should try another 20 years