I read a column on word usage the other day that said journalists had used the word "anniversary" incorrectly since Sept. 11. As in calling March 11 the six-month anniversary of Sept. 11.

The anni- in the word implies annual, therefore six months isn't long enough to be called an anniversary.

She's right, but I don't think we have another word that adequately describes the remembrance of something with which so many people can relate.

People like to remember things -- milestones, tragedies, firsts.

Doing so not only celebrates or honors the event, but it makes people reflect on how much time has passed and how many changes have happened since then.

My grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this past weekend.

It was a pretty quiet celebration, just my family and dinner at a restaurant.

But it was important to recognize that date.

I asked them when my grandpa asked my grandma to marry her. He said they were driving up to his brother's and he asked her during the trip.

Did she say yes, I asked.

"She didn't hesitate," my grandpa said.

Then he suggested a wedding date to her. He said they could get married Oct. 23, just like her parents and his brother.

She didn't hesitate with her response to that suggestion either.

She told him she wanted her own date. They picked Oct. 11.

It wasn't just important that the date be different for that wedding day only. But for their entire marriage that date is their own.

My grandpa was pretty good about remembering their anniversary. When he was in Korea, he remember their two-year anniversary.

But he forgot her birthday -- Oct. 8.

She let him know she wasn't pleased.

He tried to make it up by sending her a $25 bottle of Chanel No. 5.

Missing milestones is a big deal.

My friend's boyfriend missed their year and a half anniversary this summer. She thought it was a big deal; he didn't.

Instead he made it up by taking her out to dinner for their year and seven-month anniversary.

He told her they could recognize seven months instead of six each year.

A flub has created a unique way to remember their time together.

My grandparents dated for four years before he asked her to marry him. Everyone sort of glanced at my boyfriend and me when my grandpa mentioned that while we were having dessert Sunday.

My boyfriend and I celebrated four years of dating Oct. 6.

In years past we got dressed up and ate at a nice restaurant. Last year we took a carriage ride around Minneapolis.

This year he visited me here. We saw a movie, listened to the Twins game and ate dinner at Applebee's.

A pretty common day that was probably the best anniversary we had had.

Anniversaries seem so important because they force you to take a look back. To remember what it was like that day you decided you really liked this guy. Or in my grandparent's case, the day they decided to be together for a lifetime.

Time goes so fast and so many things can happen in a year. After all those changes, you realize that this person has been a constant throughout everything else.

Anniversaries, no matter at what point their recognized, are key to realizing how important that person is in the whole scheme of things.

Cari Quam can be reached at 434-2235 or by e-mail :mailto:cari.quam@austindailyherald.com