Yesterday, on the longest day of the year, my parents celebrated their fiftieth wedding anniversary. Fifty years. In the grand scheme of things, what exactly does fifty years boil down to? For many fifty years would seem like a life time. When I look at Chris, some times I wonder if fifty years is really long enough.
None of us really understand how or why my parents have toughed it out this long. They rarely have anything nice to say to each other, let alone about one another. I definitely learned what I didn’t want in a relationship from my parents. And who knows? Maybe all the bickering is just their thing. It’s the glue that keeps them together.
I did learn yesterday that my parents never had a wedding cake. They got married in their preacher’s home with my Mom’s brother and future sister-in-law as witnesses. No reception. No cake. Yesterday was their first wedding cake. Looking back on the pictures taken of them yesterday, I couldn’t help but think that despite the constant war, deep down there’s still some sort of spark or something there.
I feel like I could have written that post. My parents did 40 years in 2007. We had a party for them for 40, because well….50 seemed…unlikely….
Here’s my post: http://chromeplatedgirl.blogspot.com/2007/05/par-tay.html
Also…they didn’t have a cake the first time either, so that was really neat. To hear Mom say, “Oh, I didn’t have one the first time.”
They still bicker like…well…I was going to say cats and dogs, but like…your parents (I’m guessing).
You and Chris are so open about loving…”not enough time” I adore that comment. But who knows what keeps people together and tears them apart… you are lucky to have found your one true love but so many people settle for less… and make it work most of the time.
I’m holding out for what you have…. or nothing.
Tell your parents “Hi” for me next time you see them. I actually miss being in Oklahoma