40 years is a pretty significant amount of time. Its the time Moses and the Israelites wandered in the deserts. Its the amount of time it takes for a car or song to become a classic. Its how long my parents have been married. Wow.
Mom and Dad's marriage is pretty amazing. March 17, 1967. It wasn't an easy decision--Mom was 15 years younger and Dad was divorced--two items that put Mom's parents and Dad's kids (Julie and Alan) a little on edge. Mom tells me she was nervous. She wasn't sure until the day of the ceremony. Then she called her girlfriend said she was going through with it, and that her girlfriend should bring her good dress. But once the ceremony was complete, the decision was made, there was no turning back for either of them.
It's been an amazing 40 years. Mostly I remember the last 34...and it seems that they have been happy. They joke and tease each other. They talk about the big things and the little things. They have been through some difficult times--times when they fought, when the kids fought. They have celebrated birthdays for children, cousins, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. They have made it through illness, car crash, separation from family, money struggles, the loss of both their parents. They plucked chickens, painted barns, made horse-radish, danced through the all-night road trips to North Dakota, cheered countless wrestling teams, and endless rounds of golf.
I admire my parents for something that seems so rare these days...endurance and commitment. We live in a pretty disposable society now--Nothing manmade is built to last 40 years anymore. We update our cars, computers, blenders, clothes almost every 4 years, not 40. We seem to get bored quickly--once it loses that new car smell we suddenly can see the stains and scratches and decide we need something newer, better, faster. But maybe its a sign that their marriage isn't man made...
What God has joined together, let no man pull asunder.
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad--your love for each other is a blessing from God and an example to all who know you. --Kristin
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Hey guys! Not sure if you will remember me but I worked with Nathan at Cascade in Rochester for a couple of months back in 2003. Anyway, I have been accepted into the veterinary medicine program at Murdoch and will be moving to Perth in July. Here's my e-mail if you have any helpful tips on moving to Perth: ebarrick@gmail.com. Hope to hear from you soon.
Emily
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