Fifty years is a long time. When something lasts 50 years we are impressed whether it is a car, a piece of furniture, or a marriage.
Fifty years ago my parents stood in a church with their family and friends and they said vows that sounded a lot like this...
for better or worse They experienced both in family, with churches and with friends.
for richer, for poorer I think they would agree that their lives have been much richer than poor. They are rich in family, friends and churches even if not always in money.
in sickness and in health They have experienced both and seen God carry them through.
to love and to cherish One of my favorite memories happened last year when we were home at Thanksgiving. My mom was sitting in a chair in the living room and my dad was on his knee beside her just talking in the early morning. That picture is one I will carry of their love.
from this day forward until death do us part From my perspective I hope that they celebrate many, many more years together. Their lives have been a model of how to make marriage work. Even when times were hard they never wavered in their commitment to each other. They never spoke the “d” word. They never stormed out and left. They are faithful to each other in every way. They have been a picture of what Paul talks about in Ephesians 5:31,33 “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” and “Each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”
Mom and Dad I hope you celebrate many, many more anniversaries together.
I love you.
