Take Me Back Tuesday | 60 Years of Love and Laughter

(Disclaimer: Today’s post is special…therefore, it’s long. Duh.)

I hadn’t even started to write this post and tears were already welling up in my eyes. I’m sure by the time I finish typing, my face will be streaked and my shirt tear-drenched. You see, this post is special because it reminds me that I am unbelievably blessed. Often times I will take this for granted. Actually, most of the time I take it for granted. Today, however, well…today I can’t help but be forced to see that I am undoubtedly blessed in ways that I don’t deserve.

As a wedding photographer, I spend the majority of my time documenting and celebrating this thing we call marriage. It’s a funny thing because most of us spend our youth looking and waiting for that special person we will spend the rest of our lives with. It’s the make-believe we play as a child, the center of the movies we watch and if we are honest, one of the deepest desires of our hearts. To have someone, the same person, to share  in the joys, sorrows, victories and trials of this life. At the core of our being, we long to be known.  A companion to make this long and sometimes arduous journey more rich. The ‘funny’ part of it enters in once the ‘I Dos’ are said, the veil lifted and the honeymoon has come to an end. It is at that point that this ‘thing’ you have been waiting, hoping, and longing for has suddenly transitioned into something that feels a whole lot like ‘work’ and a lot less like the marital bliss you expected. Having never been married, I can’t say this from first-hand experience but having been around marriage a TON, I can say that I think this is undeniably true. Sure, some couples have to ‘work’ at it less than others, but the reality is that a long, happy, successful and enduring marriage takes effort. It takes commitment. It takes vows.

In our culture, marriage (as it was intended to be) has been compromised on so many levels, leaving the actual meaning of marriage to be defined in a plethora of ways. For many, the vows are just formalities for the ceremony instead of true, heartfelt words spoken over a covenant between two people. This grieves my heart because in reality, the vows themselves are what MAKE the wedding ceremony and not the flowers, the dress or the beautiful venue. It is the covenant itself that is worth the celebration. The promises made between a man and a woman who have committed their lives to one another…come what may.

This is where I find myself truly blessed. In a world where life-long marriages are hard to come by, I have been given a great example. Not only have my parents been married for over 30 years, but this past weekend my grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. SIXTY YEARS, PEOPLE! That is no small feat. In fact, when I went to the store to purchase a 60th anniversary card…they don’t even make them! My Granny and Papa met when they were 12 and were married at age 20. That means they have spent 3 times as many years together as they ever did apart. Three fourths of their 80 years of life have been spent side by side, in the covenant of marriage! To make it that far is astounding in and of itself, but to still be laughing and loving one another at age 80…60 years in…is a whole other story. Don’t be mistaken, they have had their fair share of trials and difficulties in those 60 years and yet, they endured. A couple of months ago, I had the privilege of filming them talk about their lives together and what wisdom they would share concerning life, marriage and faith. While I loved hearing all of these things, probably the most amazing part of it all was the fact that they shot the whole film holding hands and laughing. I didn’t ask them to do that. They just did. That may seem like a small thing to you, but to me it is a picture of how you make it 60 years. You make it by putting God first, laughing through it all and being committed to always walking together…hand in hand.

Granny and Papa, words will never be able to describe how grateful I am for the two of you. Your marriage, your faith, your wisdom and your love for your family/others has impacted my life in ways you will never know. Our family has been shaped by your leadership and your example. We enjoy everyday the fruits of your labor in pursuing a godly and committed marriage. I will thank God always for giving me such an undeserved blessing in the two of you and can only hope to one day have a marriage as rich as yours. Happy 60th Anniversary from someone who appreciates the ‘work’ it took! Here’s to laughing together and holding hands for the next 60!

(A little over a week ago, my family along with some of my grandparent’s closest friends got together to celebrate these two lovebirds. It was a sweet celebration with lots of laughter! I of course had to take a few shots because I couldn’t resist such a special occasion. Enjoy a few of my favs! Oh and I was right…my shirt is drenched with tears and my face is streaked!)

My Granny with the next generation! Such a special time!

The original four! My grandparents with their kids. 

1953-2013….that’s a long time. 

60 years and still in love. 

I’ll cherish this one forever.