Hi Chris, sounds like you got as lucky as I did.....in 1966. Introduced to sailing in'70. Finished out a bare hull in '79 and still aboard in -'2013. Couldn't pry her out with a forty foot lever. And yes, we passed the 'he's my sailing god' early on after too many wrong calls. We now split the decission making. I'm captain on even numbered days and she's captain on the odd numbered days.
And it's great. No pressure on my as to where to drop the hook when she's in charge...when to tack...where to go. Pushing the years now so long distance cruising is cut back but it's still a hell of a lot of fun.

Best to you and yours.