Celebrating 43 Years of Love

Today is a special day.  My parents are celebrating 43 years of marriage.  It's not often we hear of marriages lasting this long anymore and with the divorce rate of over 50% it's nothing short of amazing when couples make it this far.  Trust me, my parents didn't have it easy in these 43 years.  There were many times when I thought they were going to give up and leave one another.  Their marriage saw many hard times and probably worse than any marriage I have ever known.  Yet, they stuck it out and made it last.  They believed in working hard to keep the vows they made at the altar.

As parents they did the best they could in raising us.  I could never say that I wasn't wanted (according to my mom they tried for 2 years to conceive me) and they've loved me unconditionally.  We've had plenty of good times as well as hard times but we all got through.

After my mother had her stroke my dad stepped up and proved to be more amazing than we ever thought he could be.  He takes such great care of her.

I have learned so much about marriage from my parents.  I learned the promise you make at the altar is not one to be taken lightly.  In sickness and health, until DEATH do us part.  I learned that it takes a lot of selflessness; putting the other one above everything else.  I've learned the importance of forgiving each other in our mistakes.  I've also learned that marriage is worth fighting for and worth being a part of.

Thank you Mom and Dad.  I love you both so much!  HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!