31 Years

Okay, another mushy one.

Today is my parents' 31st wedding anniversary. In a world where divorce is growing trend, this is quite the accomplishment. My parents are high school sweethearts, although they attended different high schools. They married young and were young parents as well. It amazes me what they've endured in their marriage. They were told they would never be parents (yeah right- tell my mom she can't do something!), they saved for years to buy their first house, they rebuilt after a house fire, they've built careers with the same company for as long as their marriage (how many people can say that?), handled aging and ailing parents, faced medical scares and dealt with the thousands of times full of drama between me and Jennie. And these are only things that I even know about. I'm sure they are many more that they have shielded my sister and I from, because that is what parents do and there are no better parents than them. 

 What I remember when anything big or significant happened in our lives was that my parents handled it together. Always. They have a remarkable marriage even though they probably would describe it as normal. They have taught me a lot about marriage: 

Never fight in front of your kids, 

Bickering is okay- you have to be real with your spouse, 

Fighting dirty is never okay, 

Keep the fun alive- I remember washing cars and mom getting sprayed with the hose,

Work together- you are partners. 

Gender roles be darned- Dad does laundry just as mom mows the yard, 

Give back together- whether volunteering for Special Olympics or taking care of each other's families

Start new hobbies together- biking miles upon miles

Be affectionate- Walked into them making out way too many times- really guys? Gross. 

Talk, talk, talk- I HATED those family meetings and yet I see those in Reagan and Corbin's future...a lot of them. Sigh

You are an amazing example of what marriage should be. Jennie and are so blessed to have you as parents and WE LOVE YOU, happy anniversary!