30th Wedding Anniversery

I cannot believe it has been so long since I've posted. You'd think I didn't have anything going on worth writing about.

But, I actually do have something worth a few words. It was Bill and mine's 30th wedding anniversery on June 16th. Thirty years with the same person is hard to believe. First of all, I can't believe I'm old enough to be married for 30 years. Isn't that like a really old person? My parents, for example?

That leads me to my next paragraph. I am someone's parent. Several someones' actually. My daughters threw us a 30th anniversery party. I did not have a clue they had planned it. It was a hawaiian luau themed gig. It was well planned, the decorations were great, the food was fantastic, the company, wonderful.

But, what was really being celebrated? Was it the duty of daughters to throw their parents a party for 30 years of togetherness, or was it an actual celebration of 30 years of being married? Thinking about it, I've realized how rare it is to find a married couple who have stayed married for 30 years. That shows commitment, faithfulness, and in our case, love. We tried our best to give our children a stable home, security, and family. That's not so easy to come by these days. Marriage is so expendable these days. Sometimes you do marry a person completely wrong for you. Most times, however, it's simply about happiness. If you are not happy, you divorce. We are a throwaway society after all. If it doesn't work, get rid of it!

So, what is the secret of a long marriage? Am I qualified to say? Perhaps.....I think the secret is to commit to the relationship, regardless of the obstacles you might face. Is it easy? Never. There are times you just want OUT! But, in the building of a family, it's important to be a united front, always being the stable force that can be counted on for wisdom, love, and security.

How pat that sounds. So, the real secret? God....He is the only one way you can love someone who is so clearly flawed you cannot believe you married him (her) in the first place.

Also, jewelry helps. My husband gifted me with a one carat diamond ring on our anniversery. I did not expect it and it was truly from his heart. That means alot and I will always treasure it. He is not one who gives expensive gifts freely. It is something I've wanted for a long time and it means alot to me.

What my daughters did in giving a party to us is gift us with their time, planning, and love. They showed us, freely, how much they value all we've given and done for them. They invited our friends to share in the experience, and showed how "proper" they were raised when they did such a spectacular job with the party. It is a memory I will always treasure and I thank them from the bottom of my heart for giving it to me.

Finally, a little wine helps to smooth out all the edges in a relationship. After a glass or two, you will find you are truly married to Prince Charming!