50 years!

My brother's and I threw a 50th wedding anniversary for my parents last night....and it turned out beautifully! All of the work and planning came together in one moment....and it was amazing to see some people I hadn't seen in so long, and have them meet my kids, or reconnect with them....and it struck me as I was thinking of what to say during my portion of the toast, that often people don't take the time to gather for happy things.....waiting until a funeral reunites a family.....finally taking time from a busy schedule to do that.....but really people should be putting intentional connection into their schedules.....so last night felt in line with that....And the weather held......sun shining.....reuniting with family.....the room had come together....and it all felt so good! Some bumpy family things also smoothing out for the day.....and we had a great meal. Great conversation....lots of smiling and laughing......My one brother did a photo montage that was playing on the TVs in the room....and it was amazing to see so many pictures I had forgotten about ......and when I think of 50 years together it is an incredible amount of time......and admirable in this day and age....it is my entire lifetime.....and some days it feels as if I lived a million lifetimes.....the decades stretching out chronicling chapters of a story....and it is kind of hard to think of spending all of that time, the time in my life, with one person.....and my parent's marriage was not perfect.....it had its challenges like most marriages do.....that one issue that plays in the background or other ones that pop up.....but overall they really have been the best fit for one another.....without a doubt.......sharing the same birthday and having a kinship in that space.....and when I did my speech I highlighted the deep commitment they have always had to one another, and to their family....the thread that has kept them together....and my mom talked about love being a choice in her speech....and choosing to show up for it and forgive and give grace. Leaning into the good days and I am so glad that they chose to do that....They were 18 and 20 when they had me and got married.....hardly ready to be parents or be married.....but they dug in, and figured it out. Teaching us all to do the same in our lives....I have very fond memories of my childhood.....having them take us lots of places and create a deep sense of family in our home.....family being the roots that held it all together.....and those roots did. :) It was lovely to celebrate them and so well deserved! I am thrilled by all of it, and they were too! So this morning I plan to get ready for the week ahead, get some rest, and I am saying Cheers to 50 years! To loyalty! To love! To commitment! To taking the institution of marriage seriously and honoring what it is to be married! AMEN:)