Spring rains. Spring sunshine. We even had spring snow earlier this month. But more than the weather, the month of May brings marriage milestones for our family. The couples aren’t throwing themselves a party, and you won’t see their picture in their local newspapers.
This past weekend, my parents, Fred and Jane, celebrated 40 years of marriage.This weekend, my in-laws, Eldon and Carol, celebrate 50 years of marriage.
Also this weekend, my Uncle Chuck and Aunt Shyla celebrate 50 years of marriage. Two days later, my brother and sister-in-law are celebrating two years of marriage, followed by my sister and brother-in-law wrapping up the month of milestones with five years of marriage.
The marriage milestones in our family exemplify what daily devotion can accomplish. Statistics tell us one in two marriages end in divorce, but it’s reassuring to know my husband and I can nurture our marriage by modeling our parents’ commitment.
Our parents have North Dakota farm roots, small business acumen and commitment to sustaining the rural way of life. They didn’t meet online like one-third of couples do today. They had short and simple dating and courting relationships. They married young. Their weddings weren’t planned with inspiration from Pinterest. They both had modest small-town home church weddings with receptions in the church basement.
Nathan’s parents live 30 miles west of where they married. After living away for 20 years, my parents returned home and now attend the same church they were married in. Their marriages don’t make headlines because they are quiet but lifelong commitments. You probably know couples like them. But their marriages aren’t the norm anymore. Failed marriages make headlines. Our parents don’t talk much about their struggles, but we all know they’ve had them. They don’t talk much about their love or romance, but we know they share it. They marriages are rooted in faith and friendship.
My husband and I waited to find the person we could see ourselves married to for as long as our parents have been married. It was a long, rocky road for both of us to finally find one another on an airplane, but it has been the most rewarding nine-year journey so far in my life.
Long, healthy marriages matter to me. Even though they are not perfect, they set a standard and an example for younger generations to learn the true meaning of commitment and mutual respect.
This May, I am grateful for marriage milestones.
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