I dedicate this paper to my friend and colleague, Mike Fetters, who served as senior co-editor of the "Journal of Mixed Methods Research" (JMMR). In this paper, I discuss key mixed methods developments over the last 35 years, my fortunate involvement in them, and my collaboration with Mike Fetters in several of them. The discussion focuses on founding leaders of the field, combining quantitative and qualitative research, co-founding JMMR and the Mixed Methods International Research Association, teaching and simplifying mixed methods research, promoting the methodology internationally, assisting external groups in establishing quality standards for the field, and co-founding with Mike Fetters the Michigan Mixed Methods Research Program. This discussion contributes a personal historical perspective about the mixed methods field.