Fifty-four Years

Where did the time go, you wonder. Wasn't it just this time yesterday that you were at your wedding reception at the community hall, wondering if you would make it before the motel cut-off time of midnight? (You made it with five minutes to spare!)

And then those beautiful daughters of yours! all grown up and with their kids almost all grown up too. All you've wanted for your girls is for them to be happy, to be strong, to know the kind of love the two of you have - the kind of love that sets goals and works, side by side, heart by heart, to achieve them.

You're a team, the two of you. And because of the love you have for each other, you've been generous with your love and care to those of us who aren't technically in your family but have adopted you anyway.

Neither of you is given to speechifying, but your actions show each other, and us, how you love each other.

Like the Tommy Hilfiger golf shirt.

Like the two dozen red roses.

Like living in the campground for the summer. And staying put for the winter.

The kind of love that puts the other one first.

My wish for you is that the enormous kindness you have shown to scores of people throughout these past 54 years will be returned to you in spades.

And that your love will only continue to deepen, "for better, for worse, in sickness and in health."

And that the golden years will truly be golden.

And that God will keep you in His tender loving care.

"Loving you,"

 - One of those "adopted" daughters of yours