29 Years

Yesterday my parents celebrated their 29 year wedding anniversary. I called them on my way home from a work function and asked my mom what they were planning to do to celebrate. The answer I got was not one that I expected.

She told me that her and my dad spent the afternoon watching the Bears play while enjoying shrimp and Bloody Mary’s. For the evening they were going to enjoy a bonfire together in the backyard and when they got hungry they would make steak, fondu, and calamari.

I didn’t understand why they weren’t going to go out for a fancy dinner, or even to see a movie. 29 years is a long time to be married, especially in this day and age, so why weren’t they making a bigger deal out of the day?

She then said something that made it all click.

To them it wasn’t about the flashy celebratory ways to enter in their 29^th year of marriage, it was more important to do the simple things they loved together. Doing the simple things together makes them happy and that was all they needed to make their day special.

Over the years I have learned a lot about marriage from my parents. As I enter my 4^th month of this week I am so grateful to their example. I pray that Josh and I always choose to soak in the simple aspects of life, that celebrations of our love for one another are done in ways that keep us connected and grounded. I pray that we never require big showy celebrations of love to make the days special.

(This picture of my parents was taken during the reception at our wedding in June, can't you see the love??)