Today would have been your 62nd wedding anniversary.

Wow.
Who knew that love could last that long. From the beginnings of high school….

….through to your old age… through illnesses, wars, arguments, children’s rebellions, their marriages, struggles, lost teeth, lost battles, lost loves… Your love survived.

Your love survived sickness, disappointment, unemployment, uncertainty, your own self-doubts, fears, longings, unmet expectations, the death of dreams, the death of children through miscarriage, battle wounds, heart wounds from words spoken in anger or pain, long distances and separations…

Even as the days of your life grew short, and illness overtook you both, neither of you wavered in your love for each other. Mom, you watched over dad and took extraordinary care of him, until dementia stole your mind. Dad, you loved mom from your whole heart, provided for her, and never once considered abandoning her for another, even when she no longer seemed the woman you knew in your youth.

Your love provided inspiration for the children you have left behind. We saw your love and devotion to each other and learned that marriage really can work, an important, invaluable lesson in this world where nothing lasts, especially relationships.

You weren’t perfect. You made mistakes. Your relationship was full of problems and struggles, miscommunications and hurts. No one is perfect, so how can we expect our relationships to be either? But you did your best. You forgave each other, and over everything, you poured out your love.

Your nearly 61 years of marriage brought much good into the world. Four wonderful individuals: God-designed and God-ordained people, who have, in their many years of life, continued to touch others’ lives because of your influence. The love and devotion you had for each other was transferred to us. The adoration and commitment you had to Jesus was passed down to your children.

Besides us, there are countless people who have been touched by your lives, your love, your ministry, your laughter… from soldiers you fought alongside, dad, in World War II and yes, even Vietnam (I am convinced you had much more impact there than you ever knew, until you stepped foot into heaven)…. to the women you reached out to, mom, even the momentary touches you gave to someone you didn’t even know. And you both certainly impacted the doctors and nurses who took care of you in the hospital last year.

And you had a powerful impact on me.

Being your daughter was the single best gift God ever gave to me besides His redemption through His own blood. I do the best I can to live out what I saw modeled by you both. To become a woman you can be proud of. I hope when we are reunited in heaven, you will be able to say that I lived a life worthy of your legacy; one that you weep with joy over.

I don’t know if you have anniversary celebrations in heaven. But I celebrate your anniversary today, even though… well, even though death has now parted you, not from each other, but from us. I celebrate your lives together, the relationship that began over 66 years ago, and now continues in heaven. And I celebrate the gift of your love, that you gave so freely to everyone in your lives.

I love you.
Your Proud Daughter.