37 Years

Thirty seven years ago two people vowed to love each other through it all. They sealed their love with a marital kiss. They wore white, they ate cake, and they danced the night away. 

To have and to hold, from this day forward. For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.

For this line, I look up to my parent’s love and marriage, and it seems unreachable.  Unreachable, because what they have gone through has stood more then just the test of time.

I imagine when they got married, they had the same lifetime dreams that any young newly married couple spends time dreaming about.  Love, careers, kids, a house, vacations, laughter, tears, retirement, grandkids, travelling, growing old, downsizing, gray hair…I could go on and on.

What they did not dream about was the really hard stuff that happened.  The hard stuff I won’t dwell on because that is not what this is about.  This is about the love that prevailed through all the muck.  The vows that were exchanged 37 years ago were etched in forever and will never be forgotten. 

They have shown me what it means to truly be married.  What it means to love forever.  What it means to stand by your spouse and use love as your pillar of strength to get through the times when all seems stacked against you. Trust in your love.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad.  Your strength and love has taught me so much, and for that I am eternally grateful.