30 Years

Today is my parents' 30th anniversary. 30 years is quite a long time: long enough to live in several different homes, to have several differnet jobs, to have four babies and change a lot of diapers, to raise those four kids and see them all off to college, to acquire two sons-in-law and one daughter-in-law, to have two grandkids - and a third due any day. 30 years is a lot of life.

For their anniversary, my brothers and sister and I are getting my parents a new set of dishes. It seems appropriate, since after all we were the ones that broke, chipped, or stained all the dishes they got 30 years ago for their wedding.

Mom and Dad love each other so much, and every day they live out the vows they made 30 years ago. They've lived through "for better, for worse," and "for richer, for poorer." Lately it's been the "in sickness and in health" bit - actually, especially just the "in sickness" part. They certainly honor one another deeply. They serve one another so very joyfully in all circumstances. What a wonderful example they have set for their children.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad!