Wedding Anniversaries

Today is the date of my parents' wedding anniversary. They are both gone now but I still think of them on this day (and every day, actually). My father died just short of their 48th wedding anniversary. They dated for eleven years before marrying in Germany. Their marriage survived so much. My father served in Germany during WW II. They moved to the United States when they had been married for six years, leaving all my father's family in Germany. My father worked three jobs so they could go back "home" for a six-month visit after moving here. My parents came to this country not knowing one word of English so that they and their children could have a better life. Their marriage survived the death of their parents, raising four children, memories of living through a horrific war in Germany, and illness on both their parts. But you know what? Quitting was never an option. When we cleaned out my parents' home after Mom died, I found the love letters my father wrote to my mother while he served in WW II. They are over sixty years old. The thin paper is tearing at the folds. His penmanship was beautiful. The words are in German but my brother and I can make them out if we try. It's something we have left of them and their courtship. Something in my father's writing because there are very few things he had written over the years that we have.

Their marriage wasn't easy and it wasn't always happy. But it was one that was strong and committed to each other and their children. And so today, I think of them and thank them for staying married despite the hardships. For being a good role model to me. For making the sacrifice to come to this country from one that was their home. For giving me the opportunity to get a good education and meet the man that God intended me to share my life with. My hope is that they would be pleased with the choices they made and what their marriage brought forth.