Thirty reasons to smile

by Anton Zuiker on August 10, 2026

Returned Peace Corps Volunteers with Malia, soon to serve

It’s our anniversary today, 30 years since Erin and I exchanged vows (‘grow up and grow old with each other’) in front of our family and friends inside the St. Francis Chapel on the campus of John Carroll University. Here’s how we celebrated:

Last month, Erin and I returned to Acadia National Park. It was fun even though I got sick (the lab tested me for every diarrheal illness possible except for cyclospora, the one in outbreak across the state; negative for all the others so I’m sure I had it).

On Saturday, we hosted nearly a hundred of our friends and neighbors here in our house for a celebration of Anna, who started her first job as nurse today, and for Malia, who graduated from American University in May and leaves next month for Peace Corps service in Guatemala—Malia will be the third generation Zuiker to serve! and we gathered all the RPCVs at the party for a group photo (above, would have been outside but for the heavy rain that was falling; we served in Nepal, Moldova, Guatemala, Morocco, Vanuatu, Benin, and Mali).

Tonight, Oliver got his first varsity start for the Carrboro High School boys soccer team. We watched him play well and the team win.

We returned home and retreated to the patio for pizza under the umbrella, with mosquito coils smoldering nearby adding an olfactory memory of Vanuatu and the Virgin Islands. A young owl, and then its parent, added their calls to the constant song of the tree frogs. Erin and I read lovely notes from our children expressing their admiration for our long-lasting relationship. Then we dipped into the hot tub and soaked under the stars.

All in all, a splendid day reflecting a deep love, a relationship we’ve worked at, a family we’ve loved, a community that’s supported us, and a world that’s amazed us.

I love you, Erin. Thank you.

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