41 and counting

My parents celebrated their 41st wedding anniversary on August 2. Wow. That is a freaky long time. Their story began waaaaay back in 1968 at the Sunken Garden....a girl meets up with a boy and they search for a frog...what they found was love. They met on a blind date, were engaged 5 weeks later and were married 11 months after their first meeting. No sense in wasting time when it's right...that is so crazy and sweet and kinda scary.

I think that my parents would be the first to say that the past 41 years hasn't all been roses and bubbles and glittery good times. They have had their share of problems and hard times. My sister and I (but especially my sister!) were not the easiest children to raise. Even with the difficult hand that we dealt them, they did a fabulous job. Bubba and I are fairly well adjusted, successful, crazy cool kids. And as much as B and I hate to admit it...we have become our parents. Good times.

Mom and Dad have supported each other thru so much. Job and career changes and stress, illness, children, grandchildren, home renovation, pets, their own parents....LIFE. Amazing they supported each other and dealt with life. I have to say...they don't make things like they used to. 41 years ago, marriages were built to last. They were made to withstand the wear and tear of every day use. every.single.day.

I am sad that I may never have a 41st anniversary...or a 12th or even another 1st. I am also angry. I guess that K and I didn't read the same instruction manual when we got married. I have to say that I think that the manual evolves as the marriage evolves. I feel that I kept my manual current, but K's may have last been updated back when wives actually did "obey" and "submit" to their husbands. I hate that I was not able to be that wife for him, but I just can not obey rules that I don't feel are good or fair or followed by everyone. Unfortunately, being the rule breaker that I am hasn't earned me a trip to the principal's office and detention...it's a been a trip to the lawyer and a date with a judge. ugh. double ugh.

I thank my parents for keeping their manuals up to date. They love each other almost always...there are still days when they anger and annoy each other to no end, but their anger and annoyance does end and their love ALWAYS finds its way back home.

Back in 1968 my mom went in search of a frog for her roommate and what she found was her prince...my dad. I love you guys. I pray that you have many, many, many more anniversaries to celebrate.