HAPPY ANNIVERSARY 

      YOU CRAZY KIDS!!

 

Today, June 8, 2022 is the 65^th wedding anniversary of our parents! 65 years being married to the same person! It’s an amazing accomplishment and I’m super proud to claim them as mine!

A lifelong marriage like this one does not come easy! Dad was robbed, on a bus, as he was on leave from the Army, heading to get married. After he returned home, just days before the wedding, he had to borrow money from his future-father-in-law to get him through! Wow!

They started married life in Tacoma, Washington, where just a year later, I was born. They developed friendships that have lasted all of this time from that short jaunt. Money was scarce with a military salary, but they didn’t care! They had everything they needed!

Soon, the family grew, with my brother, Eddie, then Joey, and finally, Lori. Our family continued to grow with spouses, grandchildren and now, great-grandchildren. The weddings were celebrations of love and with such good roots and examples with our parents, we were destined for the same fates. But that was not to be.

Sadness set in with the divorces of their children.  For our parents, the heartbreak was devastating, but their marital strength gave them the tools to be there for each of us. To see their children, go through the pain was surely unbearable. However, they were the strongest that we had ever seen…always as a team, supporting each of us in the ways that we each needed. I know it wasn’t easy and we were blessed to have them at our sides.

During the sad times, there are rainbows and hope for the future. Joy came easy when six grandchildren were born and watching them succeed has given them much happiness. Five of these grandchildren are happily married, with the sixth, and youngest one getting married in October. Ten great-grandchildren have arrived, giving Mom & Dad even greater blessings. Not many children can say their great-grandparents are still living!

Fast forward to today…they are not moving very fast these days and Covid restrictions have kept them from seeing everyone regularly, but they are still the strong parents inside that we have had all of our lives. They may not hear us too well and they may not remember everything we tell them, but they are here and they are ours.

This morning, as Dad walked Mom into the family room, instead of holding hands, they were arm in arm, as they were 65 years ago…it was almost 9am (YAY for sleeping in!!), the time that they walked down the aisle to be married!

Mom has scribbled a note to Dad, and I have written it on her chosen card. My Dad has made a card for Mom and later today, they will exchange their gifts to one another. As I was writing out the card, scribbled with painful, arthritic hands by my Mom, I could feel the tears start to well up…just her few words had a big impact on me and realizing that they have always been there for each other is really quite remarkable.

One of the lines in the note was, “I’m so glad God put me in the right place, at the right time…Tally Ho!” (Tally Ho was a bar where they met while on a double date…not with each other but that changed quickly!)

So today, June 8, 2022, we celebrate this couple of lovebirds! I’m sure, without realizing it, they will show up in coordinating colors when they get dressed for dinner (I’ll post a picture once they are ready!). They will open their gifts to one another and celebrate with dinner. Then, just like clockwork, they will take their place in his & hers chairs and watch their shows. Soon after they settle in, they will close their eyes and fall asleep, dreaming about the day and the legacy that they have created! We love you Mom & Dad!! Tally Ho!!!!