An Enduring Love

MOM & DAD'S WEDDING/ANNIVERSARY CAKE

Today is a very special day!

For on this day—fifty-six years ago—my precious parents were wed.

MOM & DAD ON THEIR HONEYMOON IN 1955



They were merely teenagers when they made the decision to become

husband and wife.

With the consent and blessings of their parents, they committed their lives to one

 another before a justice of the peace—no fanfare, no elaborate wedding... 

just the two of them and two witnesses.

Now while most people consider the fiftieth wedding anniversary the anniversary

to celebrate, last year will most likely be the one most remembered by 

my parents and their loved ones.

It all started when my dad decided to surprise my mom with the church wedding

 she had never had, as a fifty-fifth anniversary gift.  It was to be

a simple affair—

the two of them, their children and their children's families.

Simple...

with five daughters?  I don't think so!

THE PASTOR, DAD, DAD'S BROTHER & BEST MAN

So while Mom and Dad were making plans for their simple wedding & anniversary

celebration, other plans were being made, as well.

MOM & DAD EXCHANGING VOWS



Without their knowledge, extended family members, friends, and acquaintances

were being invited to this blessed event.  And arrangements were being made for a

catered reception—something neither of them had planned for...

nor expected.

DAD KISSING HIS BRIDE OF 55 YEARS

The ceremony was incredibly sweet, and few eyes were without tears, as we witnessed

yet another testimonial of the enduring love

of my parents.

THE HAPPY BRIDE & GROOM

As I watched my dad take the hand of his bride and walk down the aisle, I was

overcome with emotion.

With five daughters, he certainly was no novice at walking brides

down church aisles.

But...

 this was the very first time he had ever walked his own bride down the aisle.

And I was blessed beyond measure to witness it!

I love you, Mom and Dad!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

Happy 55th Anniversary, Mom & Dad!!!

Dad and Mom in Germany in 1956.

Inspiration

You two are an inspiration to the world.

Looking at you, we know that

soul mates can find and keep each other,

commitment means something,

a great team can overcome life’s troubles,

and love triumphs over all.

Happy Anniversary!

By Joanna Fuchs

At the beach on their honeymoon in 1955.

Thanks for setting such a wonderful example of enduring love for your family. 
I love you both very, very much!

In Praise of Mom

One of my goals—during my first year of blogging—is to introduce you to those whom I hold most dear to my heart. 

Thus far, you have been given a brief introduction to my incredibly talented Yankee husband, several glimpses of my precious granddaughter, Lana, and an in-depth intro to my lovely daughter, Asheley.

Since this is the time of year when everyone in the blogosphere seems to show off their moms, I thought I would join in on the celebration. 

And yes, I am aware that Mother's Day was yesterday.  But my mom's birthday is today, May 10th, so I decided to postpone my tribute by a day and combine the post for Mother's Day and Mom's birthday.

I am the eldest of five children—all girls. 

When my mom got pregnant with me, she was in Germany—thousands of miles from home and family,

for the very first time in her life.

I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for her to be in a foreign country, where she could not speak the language, where she knew few people, other than my dad—who was often gone on military maneuvers—and where she had to experience all the ups and downs of pregnancy without support from loved ones.

Yet, she made the best of her circumstances for my sake, as well as my dad's.

Throughout the years, as I have spent countless hours pouring over family photos and videos, I have gazed into the same sweet, loving face of a woman totally devoted to her husband and children.

I have learned so much from my mom about what it means to be self-sacrificing, totally giving of oneself to meet the needs of others—especially loved ones.

She has the most caring nature and generous spirit of anyone I have every known. 

And, the love she has for her family has been a beacon of light that has been a constant throughout the good times and the bad.

Though each of her children—myself included—have given her much cause for work and worry in raising us, she has always fulfilled her role of mother with patience, kindness, and an understanding heart. 

She has been the most wonderful role model of a loving, devoted wife and mother that I have ever witnessed. 

And her example has molded and shaped who I am as a wife and mother more than she will ever know.

My prayer for you Mom, this Mother's Day and birthday, is for...

health, happiness, and a long, long life...

and to be blessed beyond measure, as you have blessed me.

I LOVE YOU MOM, WITH ALL MY HEART!!!

"Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:  'Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.'"  Proverbs 31:28,29