Happy Anniversary!

Happy 55th Anniversary to my parents!  In this day and age that is quite an accomplishment.  My dad is fond of telling everyone "I've been married all my life"!  My mom just smiles tolerantly at these types of comments, but I suspect she is very proud of this accomplishment. 

I remember once that a young engaged couple came to the house to talk to my parents about marriage.  I think their minister had directed them to choose a married couple to talk to and they chose my parents.  As a teenager I was quite impress (or should I say astounded) that they would choose my parents.  However, I remember sitting quietly listening to the two of them answer questions about what married life meant to them on a very practical level.  The one important lesson I came away with was a simple yet profound statement, "marriage is work".  They both expressed their opinion that if you wanted your marriage to be successful and lasting, you had to work at it.  They freely admitted that there were difficult times and that they worked on getting through those together.  At the time that surprised the young romantic in me, but I was also felt very comforted by their obvious love and commitment to each other.
 
What they said soaked in!  During the difficult times in my own marriage, and yes I think all marriages have them, I have remembered those words and their committment.  I'm proud of the example they presented and more so the important lesson they taught me!

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad.  I love you both!

xoxo