Fifty Years And Counting?

Fifty Years and Counting?

A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense. Through knowledge its rooms are filled with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.

Proverbs 24:3-4

Our family gathered around a large circular table in an elegant restaurant that has unofficially become the backdrop for many of our most meaningful family celebrations. For literally decades, my (Les’s) family has gathered here from around the country to mark holidays, birthdays, graduations, promotions, and farewells. But this time was different. The dinner was a celebration of Mom and Dad’s wedding anniversary on July 7—their fiftieth.

They didn’t want a big party. This celebration was strictly a family affair. The food, as always, was exquisite. The anniversary cake was lovely. The presents were nice, but what gift could be worthy of such a noble occasion? What impressed me most about the entire event wasn’t tangible; it was something my father said. We had just offered grace and thanked God for the family and the many years Mom and Dad had lived together. Then, before picking up his fork, he looked around the table and said: “I can’t believe it has been fifty years! The time is so short!”

The rest of the meal was devoted to reminiscing. Mom talked about the times when each of her three sons was born. She could describe in detail the various homes we had lived in. Dad talked about the churches and colleges he and mom had served. There was the first pastorate they took during the Korean War, and the transition to being a college president during the Middle East oil crisis. They both reminisced about their first trip to London and many other journeys around the globe. They must certainly have had some hard times, like all married couples do, but all they seemed to remember were things they enjoyed together. What a contrast it was to the last anniversary Leslie’s parents celebrated.

It made us think a lot about our own marriage, short in comparison to Mom and Dad’s fifty years. What will we reminisce about after that long? Have you ever asked yourself the same question? After fifty years, what memorable treasures will your house of love include?

To love is to receive a glimpse of heaven.

—Karen Sunde