Mom & Dad's Wedding Anniversary

Yesterday was my parent's 52nd wedding anniversary. What???? 52 years. Hard to imagine. I've been married 18 1/2 years, and I'm proud of that!!! Did I say 52 years!!!
Over the years, I've watched my parents live through lots of ups and downs. It would be a lie to say it was all sunshine and roses. However, one of the things that I admire the most is that they did work through the hard times of raising children, changing jobs, financial strains, illness, extended family demands, etc. Now, coming out on the other end of 52 years, they seem to be more in Love than ever before. Seeing them holding hands in  the park, a gentle touch on the arm one gives to the other, a peck on the cheek as one leaves the room, gives insight into their deep Love for one another.
There are a few things that I think that have helped sustained my parents in their marriage. A deep abiding Faith may have been the key; believing the commitment they made before God WAS truly for life. They remind me of Olivia and John Walton - which is probably why I love that show. Like Olivia, my mother is the ever faithful servant attending church and making sure we understood what it meant to be a christian. She is the image of Love. Like John, my father didn't regularly attend church. However, you couldn't find a more godly man. Loving, kind, compassionate, faithful; that would describe my father. "He didn't tell me how to live. He lived and allowed me to watch."
Another reason I think my parents have reached 52 years is the trust they had for one another. Neither of them every overroad the other with their beliefs or desires. They compromised and allowed their trust of the other to guide their discussions and decisions. There were not power struggles. They trusted each other and worked things out. Did they always agree - absolutely not but they always found a way to work it out.
Finally, throughout my life, I watched my parents hold the other in the highest regard. The respect they showed one another was amazing. When I was younger, I didn't realize that's what it was, but as I grew older, I began to understand how they each repected the other. Mom was home full-time when I was growing up and Dad was always praising her for the way she managed our home. He never, ever showed anything but respect for her and all she did to raise the children and make our house a home - and what a GREAT job she did. I still have the highest regard for women who are full-time in the home. Holy moly - what an important job.
Dad is a free thinker and mom always respected the ideas he had and the need he had to live "outside the box" - before that was even a catch phrase. He walked a different path than most men of his generation - perhaps one of the reasons mom fell in love with him. She knew he would "do the right thing" and stand up for what was right - even if he stood alone. He never really stood alone, because she was with him.
Faith, Trust and Respect. Are these the things that allow two people to Love one another and live together for over 52 years? I don't know, but I sure think having these three things in a relationship can help to build a life long Love.
Here's to Jack and Bidgie!!!! How you did it, I don't know but you did it! You are an inspiration. I love you, I respect you. Happy Anniversary!!! You're just too precious for words.