14 February 23

48 years ago (!) as we sat together in the student center lounge at Houghton College, I turned to Beth and said "I want you to marry me." Her first response was "What?" And then, after a few moments of hugs and kisses, we were on the phone with her parents to confirm that we were engaged! My tie for Valentine's Day says "I'm TOO SEXY for MY TIE," and Beth says it's true.

6 May 22

SEXY! I haven't worn my tie that says "I'M TOO SEXY FOR MY TIE" for a long time. Today is the birthday of Sigmund Freud (1856-1939). Besides identifying the id, ego and superego as the primary elements in personality, he is famous for “discovering” that ideas about sex are constantly with us, consciously or subconsciously. Think about it! By the way, Beth says the words on the tie are true (about me).

14 February 20

It's a rare Friday when Gene wears a tie. This is a special occasion, not only because it's Valentine's Day, but because it celebrates the evening 45 years ago when Beth agreed to marry me! My tie says "I'M TOO SEXY FOR MY TIE," which Beth says remains true even today.

14 February 19

Keeping up a longstanding tradition for Valentine's Day -- wearing my tie that proclaims "I'M TOO SEXY FOR MY TIE" with many red hearts. Beth says "If you're too sexy for your tie, why are you wearing it?" Today is special for us because it's the 44th anniversary of our engagement.

14 February 18

This is the longest-running tradition for my ties: For 9 of the last 10 years, I've worn this tie (which says "I'm Too Sexy For My Tie," with additional red hearts) on 14 or 15 February. In the missing year (2014), Valentine's Day was on a no-tie Friday. Beth agreed to marry me 43 years ago today! She says the tie's message is still true.

14 February 17

42 years ago, after a nice Valentine's Day banquet in the Houghton College dining hall, Beth and I were relaxing in the Student Center Lounge. From the ceiling speakers we heard tunes by Three Dog Night or The Carpenters or The Eagles . . . and I turned to her and said, "I want you to marry me." Her quick response was the single word "What?" I repeated my own words and then she said "OK." Not high drama at that moment, but the romance has never waned. My tie says "I'm TOO SEXY for my TIE," and Beth has confirmed that it is still true. This coming August I'll get more answers from Beth for the questions in the Beatles' famous hit (from 1967) . . . "Will you still need me, will you still feed me, when I'm sixty-four?"

14 February 16

For Valentine's Day I'm wearing my extra-special tie that shouts "I'M TOO SEXY FOR MY TIE."

14-15 February 15

Beth and I have a special reason to celebrate Valentine's Day -- this year marks 40 years since we became engaged! My tie says "❤ I'M TOO SEXY FOR MY TIE. ❤"

14 February 13

This is my 40th year with the same "Valentine"! Beth says that I still am "too sexy for my tie."

9 August 12

Beth and I were married 37 years ago today! The pin says "I'm in love with my wife," and my tie says "I'm too sexy for my tie." And there are hearts on both the tie and pin. We gave ourselves a new couch and love seat, and we are going out for lunch today. Woohoo!

14 February 12

This is my (non)traditional tie for Valentine's Day. Maybe next year I will be more adventurous, but until then, I'll just continue to be too sexy for my tie.

14 February 11

My (funny) Valentine says it's true . . .

14 February 10

Valentine's Day also marks our own engagement anniversary, now 35 years! The collar pin reads "I'm in love with my wife!" The deep red color of the shirt was not captured well in the detail picture, but you can see the words on the tie very well. In case you were wondering, the song "I'm too sexy . . . " was recorded by Right Said Fred in 1992.

15 February 09

This tie says it all.

07 August 08

This is really about this coming Saturday, which is a no-tie day for me. It is our 33rd wedding anniversary, so my tie for today has hearts on it. Beth has said that its message is "true" about me. (I found it several years ago on a clearance table at Goody's and couldn't resist.)