49 Years
Posted: December 28th, 2010 | Author: Molly Monet | Filed under: marriage | Tags: anniversary, marriage | 18 Comments »
Aren't my parents a dishy couple?
They met in 1961.
On a blind date.
While she was pinned to someone else.
That guy was soon forgotten,
As she agreed to marry my dad a few days later.
My Oma dropped a plate in surprise.
Then my mom took off for Europe for three months,
And they were married after Christmas.
A romantic, yet impulsive, beginning.
Throughout the years,
They have had their conflicts.
No doubt.
But they always work them out,
And neither of them holds grudges,
Nor takes the fights too seriously.
Their secret?
It’s not passion, nor values, nor their kids, nor sheer dedication,
Although they’ve had them all.
Mom says theirs is a spiritual union.
That doesn’t mean they’re united in God’s eyes,
And thus will be forever connected.
It means that they continue to help each other grow and learn.
And that’s an excitement that never gets old.
* * * * * * * *
Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad. Your relationship is an inspiration to everyone who knows you. I love you both very much.
Do any of you have any marital secrets you’d like to share? I’d love to know them…
Love this one, Moll. I should print it and keep in my pocket. Reminders are good. Grow and learn – support and push each other to grow, learn and stretch, stretch, stretch. Some of the best relationship nourishment around.
XO to the dishy duo!
Thanks, Molly. One of the things that has made our marriage work was — and is — our wonderful daughters. You were a joy when you were young and remain so today. Our mutual love for the two of you is one of the secret ingredients that makes our marriage so meaningful. We have a great family. And the grandkids are the frosting on the cake. Love, Dad
Wonderful Molly! Happy Anniversary to your parents! It’s funny today is my son Daniel’s birthday and I wrote a post about that. It’s a good thing when we have good things to celebrate :) by the way I love your dad’s comment:)
ayala recently posted..Happy Birthday Daniel
Your mother and father’s union is an inspiration all right. I think the learning and growing aspect is the most important. People naturally grow and change over time. The key is to not grow apart.
MomZombie recently posted..C what I mean
Yes, my parents have done a great job of continuing to cultivate interests in common and growing and changing together.
Thanks for the sweet comment Dad. My wonderful children are part of what make our peaceful divorce work, but sometimes children aren’t enough to keep you together. But luckily, they have allowed us to not drift apart completely.
I’m glad that you liked it, dear. We have to have some good role models, huh?
Ayala, celebrations keep our lives from becoming too routine and mundane. Plus, they are a great excuse to appreciate what is good in our lives.
What an amazing accomplishment! Congrats to them! My parents celebrated 50 years a few years ago and when ordering their cake all I could think to put on it was “50 Years, Wow,” or something like that. Wow. Fifty years is a long time!
Michele recently posted..Wordles
Now that’s a beautiful thing right there…
Thank you for sharing!
T recently posted..Embracing my inner bitch for my birthday
Yes, it is Michele. I’m going to post a piece soon about being divorced in a married family. It’s an interesting place to be.
It is beautiful, and I have learned not to judge myself for not having a similar longevity. I’ll be posting soon about how I learned to gracefully give up that ideal.
[...] I posted about the inspiring longevity of my parents’ marriage and received admiring comments from some of my divorced friends, Michele, T, MomZombie, and AAC. [...]
[...] person. I was particularly interested in this quiz because I recently speculated that my own parents’ marriage has lasted 49 years because they have continually helped each other learn and grow. Since my divorce, I feel like I am [...]
Ended up on your site somewhat randomly, and encountered this wonderful dialogue. Good family. :)
Thanks for participating in the conversation, Scott. Did you find me through the NYT Parker-Pope article? I am very grateful for my wonderful family.
Beautiful, fresh poem. Excellente pic of your parents! Congratulations from Argentina,
Lucia
What fun to hear from an Argentine reader! Próspero año nuevo.