This year marked the 60th wedding anniversary for my parents. We weren’t there on the exact day of their anniversary but we were able to visit the month after. So my mom invited close family and friends to a restaurant to celebrate. She wanted a small gathering but the restaurant required a minimum of 40 people, so the gathering was a little bigger than she originally wanted.
My mom had a certain idea of how she wanted the celebration to go. There would be singing and reading of their “love story.” Then there were decorations. My sister provided the “60th Anniversary” tabletop decor and framed black & white photos of our parents’ wedding day.
Mom wanted flowers so that was done the day of. It was fun watching my daughter help with arranging flowers in a variety of vases: some long and thin, others short and wider. Then there was a type of fruit that looks like a shiny greenish ball. They called it caimito. She has a tree growing in the backyard that provides more fruit than her household and neighbors can eat.
I’m so glad my kids were willing to MC and read the “love story” or else I would have to do that. People enjoyed the food and had a great time. Even days after the celebration, family would mention something about that night. The kids did a great job. They wanted more caimito because it’s their favorite. The food was great.
I got to see cousins I haven’t seen in a very long time. It’s sad that we only see people at major events such as weddings, funerals, anniversaries, etc. Now we’re making an effort to go out to eat with family to get to know them better. Those times eating and spending time are a blessing.
Every anniversary is a reason to celebrate. But when a milestone comes along, then a bigger celebration, a feast, is appropriate. Happy anniversary and by God’s grace, more to come!
Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the many years of keeping my parents together. I know there were difficulties along the way, but You gave them strength, patience, endurance, and hope to continue together. Please continue to be there to give them all they need to keep living together, helping each other every day.
In Your Son’s precious name, Amen.
Verses
Matthew 19:6 what God has joined together, let no one separate
Psalm 126:3 the Lord has done great things for us, let’s be joyful!
Ecclesiastes 3:4 a time to cry and a time to laugh, a time to grieve and a time to dance
Romans 12:10 Love each other and take delight in honoring each other
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, kind, not envious, does not brag. Love is not rude, not self-serving, and not easily angered. Love is not happy with evil but rejoices in truth. It bears, believes, hopes all things, and endures all things.
1 Thessalonians 3:12 May the Lord increase your love for one another
Psalm 118:24 This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice in it
Song
“The Power of Your Love” by Hillsong Worship was the song we sang at the celebration. I was pleasantly surprised that they sang their theme song for us at the restaurant. Every time my dad got in trouble, he would sing their theme song to my mom. At the time, I didn’t know it was their theme song because my dad loves to sing many songs.
Call to action
If you have already prayed, looked up the verses in your Bible, and listened to the suggested song, then read Ephesians 5:23-33 as encouragement in marriage or find a theme song for your marriage and share which song you chose.