Happy 30th wedding anniversary to my parents today! Before I talk about them, I first want to talk about the photo above. It was taken in February of this year by my friend Alisa. It’s my favorite picture of Mom & Dad evah. It captures them perfectly.
As I’ve been reflecting on my mom & dad, one thought kept coming back to me: it’s so easy being their daughter. There’s no drama. That in itself, friends, is a beautiful thing. It’s easy. We can talk on the phone daily or once a week and it’s fine, no worries. Now, if it’s nearing two weeks without seeing the grandkids, then we have a problem that must be rectified immediately. Other than that, they don’t make any demands. They continue to make my life easier, richer and more enjoyable.
I was mentioning my parents’ anniversary to my grandmas last weekend and Grandma Bev (Mom’s mom) remembered how nice and simple their wedding was. Mom had one attendant: her sister. Mom made both of their dresses. Dad had one attendant: his brother. They wore suits, NOT tuxes, because also according to Grandma – that was a precondition of engagement. They would get married as long as he didn’t have to wear a tux. Does that sound like a 19 year old kid? That’s because he was.
The two started dating in high school when Mom was a junior and Dad was a sophomore. Dad, after a semester of college at Arizona State University following high school, moved to Florida and was working construction. Mom, having finished business school at AIB in Des Moines, was thinking it was time they got married. Dad came back to Iowa and they married at the Dillon Lutheran Church after a brief engagement. The newlyweds moved to Florida for a short time before returning to Iowa to stay.
Their union produced three children: myself, my sister Emily and my brother Jacob, but their partnership in parenting continues as they find themselves raising Dylan, too. And each one of us has benefitted immeasurably because of their strong marriage rooted in their commitment to God and to each other.
Dad instilled in me the importance of being a hard worker. Mom taught me never to lie. These virtues in particular were not merely lessons but examples shown over a lifetime. It’s what makes this otherwise ordinary couple extraordinary. I love them because they are my parents, but I also respect them deeply because of how they’ve lived their life.
Happy anniversary, Mom & Dad! You guys are the best and you deserve to be recognized on this special day!
Beautifully said, Jess. I couldn’t agree more.
Happy 30th anniversary Mom & Dad!!
Happy anniversary! Congrats on so many wonderful years together.
I feel the same way about my parents. We are so blessed!
One afternoon when Jamie was a sophomore, he came in the back door, called out “Look what followed me home, Mom. Can I keep it?” “It” was your mother, and he did keep it”.
You made a perfect choice, Jamie. Happy Anniversary.
What a sweet picture. Will and I think they are pretty great, too. I mean, there has got to be a reason that they were our first friends in LeGrand :)
i cannot belive it has been 30 yrs!! they have had a full married life, raising their 3 children and welcoming dylan in to their family, too. they have done a wonderful job raising you kids, in a Christian atmosphere and leading lives that witness to everyone. they and we are blessed, and even tho my son-in-law calls me “the old battle ax”(ha)(i think with love), grandpa and i love them both very much. congrats to them both. love, grandma bev
Happy anniversary! Thanks for being great parents/in-laws/grandparents.
ah craaaaaaaaaaaapp. thank you jessie