To mark the occasion, I asked my mom, Donna, to write a few reflections on 40 years of marriage. I realize this was a big request—asking her to fit 40 years into a few paragraphs is mission nearly-impossible—but she did it!
This is what my mama wrote:
As requested by Gretchen, I am sharing what 40 years of marriage has been for her dad and I.
October 19, 1968 was a gorgeous golden fall day in Denver when we two became one. We took those vows before family, friends, and God at St. Vincent De Paul Church with a Priest and a Protestant Minister officiating. The years since have been filled with love, joy, tears, lots of prayer and of course, trials. The vows we took meant something to John and I. I credit God for blessing us with more joy than tears, and with the ability to trust each other and work through difficulties. I feel we both gave 100% to our marriage most of the time.
We raised two daughters and a son. They each have their own splendid families. They’ve given us 10 precious grandchildren with more on the way.
We survived living paycheck to paycheck by not using credit cards and the teenage years with a united front and much prayer. We always strived to have the family meal together. I love casseroles and he is a meat and potato guy. I learned not to put peas in the one casserole he loves, tuna.
We had family nights where the kids put on a show. We camped and saw the sights in our state and surrounding ones. We did the Disney trip once when the kids were old enough to appreciate it. Looking back, John and I didn’t give ourselves those special alone times away from kids. Everything we did usually involved the kids.
It is quieter at our house. Life is slower and easier. We have our routines. The success that we have had comes from being content with what we have. We have a good start on growing old together now and it is my hope, Lord willing, that we have many fun adventures ahead for the two of us and with the families. I’m not ready for the rocking chair. John may need a little prodding!
BEAUTIFUL! I love hearing the stories and wisdom of those who have been together through thick and thin so many years! Praise God!
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This was very sweet – thank you for sharing.
I met a couple one night on their 50th wedding anniversary. I asked them how those years had been together, and the wife answered, “You know, I never ONCE thought about divorcing him. I thought about *killing* him from time to time, but never divorcing him.” That really made me laugh.
I’ve been married for more than 15 years now. It sure isn’t easy – and a good neck-wringing has crossed my own mind once or twice – but you got to be in it for the long haul.
Again, thanks for sharing this!
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How very special. And I love the photo!
Steph
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That is a beautiful post. Absolutely beautiful. It brought tears to my eyes and I wanted to thank-you so very much for sharing it.
My Dearest and I have been married for ten years and are still very much in love, I hope I can tell a story like this sometime in the future.
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Happy Anniversary to your parents. It is quite an accomplishment to make it that far and she obviously does not regret it!
They were such a cute couple! They look like they belong on top of a cake.
What a blessing to you to have such parents, Gretchen.
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My husband hates peas too! Our family meals tend to involve more wild spices and fewer potatoes than probably your mother’s did. But I, too, see the importance of having them, no matter what we eat.
Thanks for sharing, Gretchen’s mom. Happy Anniversary! Here’s to many more years together for you and your husband.
so wonderful and congrats to your parents!
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What a beautiful picture- both the photo and the words.
What a sweet post and picture. We’re coming up on 29 in Dec.
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Happy 40th Anniversary, John and Donna! It sounds as though you have made some lovely memories together over the years; may God continue to bless you both in the years to come.
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Beautiful pic!
Happy anniversary to your parents! May they be blessed with many more happy years!
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Happy 40th! What a lovely reflection Donna, I hope you are blessed with the adventures you seek. You and John are two amazing and kind people and deserve all the happiness you’ve had and the many more years you have ahead of you.
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That is so sweet! Congrats to them! My husband’s grandfather passed away this summer and he and Grandma had been married 60 some years and she said they were mostly wonderful years, but boy, was it hard! That made me laugh because yes, marriage is hard!
Happy Anniversary, Parents-of-Mopsy!! Thank you for sharing your insight. I can see where Gretchen gets her good sense (and her beauty — she’s a dead ringer for her mama!).
Just last week, I was thinking that it would be wonderful to arrange a dinner at church and have the couples who have been married many years share their reflections with those of us who are (relatively speaking) just beginning the journey. Reading this makes me think this is something I should pursue!
Ah, happy anniversary, Gretchen’s parents! What a beautiful couple. I really enjoyed your reflections, too.
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This was so sweet. I cannot believe the resemblance, I see a daughter and grandchildren in both of those faces. What a beautiful photo. A beautiful couple. Happy Belated Anniversary!
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I teach marriage prep at our church and this is such a wonderful testiment to what marriage really is. Thanks for sharing.
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