If you were going to pick up a young adult romance, one with a dramatic adventure and a fairy tale like ending, it would read very much like my parents’ love story. You know those TicToks of the sweet older couple people calling each other sweetheart, baby, honey, and giving kisses? The ones that make you go “awwww how nice.”
Well in spite of their exciting “Why’s they get married so young” story, that marshmallow couple is NOT my parents. They are more brash and sarcastic than gooey. While they are not lovey dovey, they are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary today. FIFTY! Fifty years filled with moments of pride, problems, hope, sadness, joy, confusion, and tears of all kinds. They’ve taught me that through the course of 50 years, love looks really different than the 30 second clips.
Sometimes it’s somber, like when you drive through a snowstorm to be able to see each other for only a few hours in between week-long jobs driving across the country.
Sometimes it’s joyful, when you meet your children and grandchildren for the first time.
Sometimes its heartbreaking, like when you have to hold each other up while you grieve the loss of a sibling or parent.
Sometimes its comfortable, when you respect each other’s spaces like the man cave and wine cellar or the hour during the “stories.”
Sometimes it’s optimistic because, as you watch at your home being burned to ash, you’re thankful you both made it out alive.
Sometimes it’s giddy, like when you’re hauling suitcases to vacation with all your grandkids in tow.
Sometimes it’s terrifying, like when you are woken up to learn he almost died of a heart attack, or when you thought she might be paralyzed, or worse.
Most of the time it’s knowing that he’ll make her coffee first thing without her asking, or him knowing she always stocks his favorite potato chips the pantry.
And then there’s another little tidbit when it’s spiteful, because you know everyone had stacked their chips against you, and you’re still doing it all together.
One of the most famous Bible verses is Corinthians 13:4-7. Most people refer to the first line “Love is patient, love is kind.” But my parents enduring love speaks to me most in the last line:
“It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Looking at the last 50 years, through all the ups and downs, they most definitely did persevere.
