...And They Lived Happily Ever After
I believe it is only fitting with my first blog to start with the two people who have inspired me more than anyone else in my life. My parents, Fred & Elaine, celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this past year. Did you catch that y'all--60th wedding anniversary! That's a big ol' 6 followed by a big 0! Their story probably, is not so different from many others. They met...fell in love...got married...had children...and grandchildren...and now great grandchildren. Like I said, the same as many others. But these are MY parents, and like any grown person would say--My dad is bigger than your dad! Or my mom is better than your mom! ;) But seriously, they have inspired my sisters and me just in the simple fact of watching the love that they have for each other as we grew up. He never forgets an anniversary or a birthday; she always gets the most beautiful bouquet of flowers! She always made sure she had dinner on the table when he walked in. 60 years of this...that's a lot of flowers and meals! I've never once heard them argue. Any conversation they had that they seemed to not be in agreement usually ended with "Yes, Elaine." She kept the house clean, laundry done, cooked 3 meals a day, took care of the kids with all our school work and appointments. She was our room mother, field trip chaperone, and coached my softball team. He left early in the morning so that he could make a good life for all of us, but only after a kiss and a "See you later, Gator." He tried his best to teach his three girls to throw a ball, figure complex math off the top of your head, and attended to support every activity we were in. I think when you grow up like this, it's all you know and you just don't realize how special it is. Then somewhere along the way, I can remember thinking..."When I grow up, I want a marriage like my mom and dad's." They have taught us what love really is with every word, touch, and breath. Together they have found a way to make broken look beautiful and strong look invincible. They are without a doubt the heartbeat of this family and the standard to which we all strive to live up to. I sure hope as days go by, I make them proud. I know that I have been blessed with the best.
During our little photoshoot, I wanted to have some of their wedding photos in the images also. And the car that they are sitting in is a '57 Chevy---'57--the year they were married. How cool is that! Dad was a trooper and went through and did all the poses we asked him too. I am so grateful that he did for I will treasure these portraits forever. He's not one for wanting to get his picture taken much, but he stuck it out. I think I even heard a "Yes, Elaine" in there a time or two. We laughed; we giggled; and they giggled at each other. Once he called her his girlfriend. And she giggled so when he got down on one knee like he was going to purpose. When I handed them their wedding album to get some photos on the bench, I think for a while they forgot I was taking photos as they reminisced about that special day 60 years ago and about all the loved ones who celebrated with them.
I am so glad the Terry and I decided to get married on their wedding date, September 14th. Terry and I got married on my parents 28th wedding anniversary in the same church. I was wearing the same pearls that my mother had worn on her wedding day, a wedding gift from my father. A few years ago, my oldest daughter, Aubrey married Ben on September 14th---our 30th anniversary and my parents' 58th. They, too, were married in the same church and Aubrey also wore my mother's pearls. There's a lot of love packed into that very special date! I've been married over 30 years. 60 seems a looooong way off! There is still a lot of growing for my own little family. After watching them on this day, I still say, "When I grow up, I want a marriage like my mom and dad's."
Congratulations and Happy 60th Mom and Dad! You are so very loved.
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anniversary
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My Only Sunshine Photos by Cheryl Minix