Cheers To 50 Years

My parents have been married for almost 50 years. Their 50th anniversary is soon. It's a huge accomplishment. To celebrate, we gave them a gift certificate to their favorite wine store, champagne, and a couple of bottles of their favorite wine. I also made them dinner last night and did the dishes. My mom even complimented me, it was "restaurant quality" to use her words. The basil garnish with the chicken parmesan didn't hurt that image. 

St. Francis was the wine. A Pinot Noir and a Cabernet Sauvignon. They dove into the Pinot with dinner and enjoyed every sip. As a kid, that used to be a better value so they got it more often for date nights.. For Josh and my wedding reception, they payed extra so this could be the wine. It was actually easy to choose for them. 

It's one of they ways they lasted for 50 years. Long conversations over a bottle of wine. Remembering stories, talking about what's going on with friends and family, talking about other shared interests and experiences. The kind of bonding moments that are necessary to keeping a marriage together. 

They were 21 and 23 when they got married. My mom, an engineer, was part of the women fighting for women's equality. She lived and experienced the same history we are talking about now. My father has always loved how strong and intelligent she is. When my brother and I were growing up he used to say, "life would be boring if we didn't have these things in common." 

I look at their 1970 wedding picture still hanging up in their bedroom (below). I think "wow". Two kids, three grandkids, this is their second house together but they had an apartment first, both were married when they earned graduate degrees, and they both accomplished a lot in their carriers. When I hear women today wanting to establish a career before starting a family I think :Chicken! my mom did both and was successful at it. What are you afraid of?" 

On Friday nights when my brother and I were kids they would get us take out. Usually Burger King, and my mom would make a nice, adult friendly, meal for them. They would dress up and have a date night while we watched TGIF. My mom always said, "It's important to invest in your marriage." That was the best advice she ever gave me. 

Tonight they will eat with my brother to celebrate with him. On their actual anniversary, they will crack open that bottle of Champaign we got them. It's an accomplishment most married people hope to reach. They still love, respect and enjoy each other's company immensely.  That's how marriage is supposed to be. 

                                                        Their wedding photo. 

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