What a week I have had.

First, and most importantly, my wonderful husband and I celebrated five years of marriage on Thursday, Oct. 16. More on that in a moment.

Also on Thursday, I hosted the annual Ozark Press Association Convention. As the sitting President of the OPA, I brought colleagues from all over the region to our little slice of the Ozarks. We hosted about 30 people at the Emory Melton Inn and Conference Center.

The OPA Conventions are always full of discussions, sharing of ideas and industry friendship. I have never walked away from a meeting with this group of people without many ideas to try.

I was sworn in as President of the OPA last October, when the gavel was passed from the amazing Amanda Mendez, owner of the Howell County News. On Thursday, I passed the gavel onto the equally amazing Steve Pokin, with the Springfield Daily Citizen.

Our oldest daughter is not too happy that we no longer have the OPA gavel displayed in the office.

I am beyond excited to see what Steve has in store for us for next year’s convention.

In my introduction on Thursday I welcomed everyone to the beautiful Roaring River State Park, which was the thing I was most looking forward with sharing with everyone. I then let everyone know that while those of you who know me know how much I like to talk, I have a major fear of public speaking.

I next took a page out of President Barack Obama’s book from the 2012 debate with Mitt Romney, when he and Michelle Obama were celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary, “I’d like to wish my husband a happy five years of marriage, and I need to let you know that in a year from now, we might still be celebrating in front of the OPA,” I joked.

The panels scheduled included, Fishing For Stringers; Supporting Structures: Supplemental Publications; Wading Through The Weeds – with several experienced investigative journalists from throughout Missouri, including a Pulitzer prize winner now working at the Baltimore Banner; Flow Of The Post Office; Selling New Media; and ending on, So You Think You Have A Bright Idea?

We enjoyed a wonderful lunch from the restaurant, and after the convention we had a walking tour of the Roaring River Hatchery led by Kevin Ferdig. We had scheduled the tour for after lunch, but “someone” didn’t give her colleagues very clear directions, so the time we had set for the tour was spent rounding up all the lost OPA members throughout the park (mostly in Campground 2).

I can’t convey how honored I felt to share our lovely area with so many wonderful people, as well as, how thankful I am for the participation from this group from ideas to encouragement, the OPA members are always there for each other.

After the convention, I brought those who stayed back to our office for a “cocktail hour.” I showed off the new façade and gave them a tour of the inside explaining all the ideas from renting out half of our office to a commercial business, to the renovations that we will hopefully start soon in the upstairs part of our office.

Then, we said goodbye, hugged our friends and Kyle and I headed back to the Inn for a two night stay to celebrate our anniversary.

Five years ago, we said our vows, said “I do,” and officially started our family. Five years isn’t a long time, but we have done so much in these first few years together. We created another life, completed the adoption process for our oldest child, watched our youngest go through open heart surgery — actually seeing her heart beat in her open chest.

We bought a business and then a building, and we’ve shared so many beautiful, scary, painful and exciting moments filled with love.

We try to get each other gifts that correlate with the traditional anniversary gifts, year five is wood. Kyle gave me this beautiful wooden jewelry box engraved with flowers, my name and the date we were married. I messed up the last two years, year three leather and year four flowers. So, I got Kyle a new leather belt and belt buckles, one with a rose. I guess I will have to get something wooden and iron for him next year.

We spent two nights curled up in a very comfortable room with a breathtaking view, and not just of my beautiful husband — the trees and hills were beautiful too. We watched movies, ordered food, drank whiskey and dreamed about the next 5-50 years we will have together — 5 years, to 15 years, to 50 years, to forever.

I would like to end this column with a thank you message.

Thank you to Roaring River Adventures and the Emory Melton Inn and Conference Center, as well as, the great staff, who made the OPA convention memorable.

Thank you to Designs by Debbie and Forever Yours Embroidery and Gifts, who both agreed to an advertising swap in exchange for door prizes for the event. I loved getting to show off some of our local businesses.

Thank you to all of the Ozark Press Association members, a special thanks to all who participated in panels, I could not have done it without you all.

Thank you to my husband, Kyle, we lived 1,826 days and counting heart to heart, hand in hand, married and in love. Thank you for the profound connection of a soulmate to get me through this life. TroutMom says thank you for picking me, every day, I love you.

Jordan Troutman is the Owner and General Manager of the Cassville Democrat, former president of the Ozark Press Association, a wife, a mother of two daughters and a graduate of Capella University with a Bachelor’s in General Psychology. She is pursuing a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy. She may be reached at jtroutman@cassville-democrat.com.