Happy 57th Anniversary, Mom and Dad!

Mom and Dad unlocked my front door and walked in at 8:30 this morning.

No, it was 9:30 and I had forgotten to "spring forward" the clocks last night. Having nowhere to be at any particular time on the Sunday after Easter, it didn't seem all that important.

After hugging Mom and kissing her, I went to Dad who whispered as I hugged him, "Today's our 57th anniversary." I gave the raised eyebrow of the goofball child who didn't even look at the calendar where that important date is marked to remember and get them a stinkin' card. I said, "Happy Anniversary, Mom! Happy Anniversary, Dad!" Lame. Very lame.

In 1998, I had been so organized that I prompted my siblings (after getting permission from Mom and Dad) to help me throw them a grand 50th anniversary party, complete with a vow renewal and reception! It was absolutely wonderful, and so many of their lifelong friends showed up to celebrate with them. My sister-in-law Kathy actually cooked a good bit of the food (she could cater anything!) and we had a fancy cake, punch, and beautiful butter mints - just like a Southern Baptist wedding. I can't believe that was just 7 years ago, and Noah wasn't even a year old.

Mom looked radiant in the dress she wore to my wedding only 5 years earlier, and Dad was ever-handsome in a dark suit. They were both as happy as they could be, surrounded by their 4 children with spouses and all 10 (at that time - now 12) grandchildren. They had accomplished what they set out to do all those years ago.

They are a great success as a couple!

Educated? No, not formally: Mom has her diploma and Dad has a GED.

Fabulous careers? No: Mom was a full-time housewife (except for a brief working adventure at the local textile factory when she needed new carpet for the house and was too stubborn to let Dad set the budget for it) and Dad was a military man and then worked for the power company.

Wealthy? No: but they own their home and their cars outright, they are well invested and insured, and they have enough put back to live comfortably.

They have done what they chose to do with their lives, and they've lived (and continue to live) an excellent example for their children. Today, they are part of my daily life and the lives of my husband and children, and they make a difference for us every day.

Thank you, Mom and Dad, for deciding to get married and have children. Thank you for staying married. Happy Anniversary.