Thirty Years
Today is my parents' anniversary, and since last year wasn't their thirtieth, that means this year is. In May they went to Disneyland, and last week they went to Vegas, thus concluding the re-creation of their honeymoon in all its rollercoasters-and-nudie-show glory. As far as I'm concerned, THAT'S ALL they did, end of story.
In honor of this day, I don't really know what to say. Wow. Thirty years. Wow.
I guess the best I can do is wish them another thirty years and thank them for making me think marriage is a walk in the park and then a carriage ride back home with an ice cream cone. Some might think it's a disservice to children to let them believe that their parents are perfect people in a perfect relationship, and maybe in some cases that's true; watching the break-up of something you thought was indestructible--or the breakdown of someone you idolized--can be crushing. For me, though, the obvious benefits have outweighed whatever damage their projected bubble of bliss may have done, and for twenty-seven and a half years I have been able to regard my parents with respect and awe because they seem to have what other people talk about and look for in a marriage. Although I'm old enough now to know they're not perfect and neither is their relationship, I will never grow out of believing that marriage should be happy more than it is unhappy and fun more than it is tense discussions behind closed doors.
I don't know what their private struggles have been, so I can't say that my parents have taught me how to fight fair or overcome seemingly insurmountable differences. I haven't seen them deal with deep, dark emotional traumas or relationship baggage from their pre-marital days. Those are things I have to learn on my own. But what my parents did teach me is how to learn those things from a place of calm and security and warmth and honesty within the relationship itself. Because of them, I know how to show someone I love him, how to make someone a morning cup of coffee without it being degrading "women's" work," how to interpret a squeeze on the tush as just another love note in disguise. Those are the foundations I build on.
When I said I didn't really know what to say, it's true, I don't. So Happy Anniversary, lovebirds. Here's to thirty more, and thanks.
Very sweet. We all learn through personal experience that even the best relationships aren't perfect, but isn't it nice to know that some people never quit loving each other anyway. :) Happy anniversary Leah's parents!
Awesome. Just awesome. Happy anniversary to your lovely, lovely parents.
Oh, this is wonderful. My parents have been married almost 40 years, and I learned those same things from them that you describe. I am so eternally grateful to them for that, and you capture it beautifully.
Congratulations to your parents, who undoubtedly feel more than blessed to have such an expressive, insightful and sensitive daughter in their life.
That is just wonderful. You are so sweet to express this so well. I have had a similar experience with my parents, i think this year was 43 years? i am losing count. i do know they still have the horn on for each other after all this time, even though i would rather not know. i mean i am adopted, there is no proof they have even had sex.
That was a sweet tribute. Congrats to your parents on 30 years!
I too have parents who have been happily married for a long time. It's an amazing gift.
a tribute is better than any card.
That's my mom's way of telling the internets that her lovely and thoughtful daughter didn't send her a card.
But I looked! And I couldn't find anything that wasn't dumb! So that's why there's no card!
(We call her "Midge" because at 5'6" she's the shorty in the family.)
Leandra, Jonniker, Felicity, and Amanda; THANKS from the Dad. Jen B, yes it is wonderful and well expressed. Lawerish, when you said,"Congratulations to your parents, who undoubtedly feel more than blessed to have such an expressive, insightful and sensitive daughter in their life." --- My thoughts exactly. Thanks all.
Aw. Aren't they cute?
What a lovely post!! Congratulations Leah's Parents!
("midge" would be the tallest in my family - no joke...well, except my brother-in-law who sticks out - ha)
Your folks sound a lot like mine. They've taught me invaluable things and I hope to follow in their footsteps on my new adventure.
And this post made me teary.
*sigh*
That is awesome. My parents celebrated 40 years this year. Quite an inspiration.