A lot can happen in fifty-eight years. We put a man on the moon. The Vietnam war ended; badly. Personal computers, the internet, smart phones and electric cars came into our lives. A vacant lot now boasts a house and mature trees, our home for the past fifty years. Children grow up and have children who grow up. Isolation during the pandemic tested faith and patience. And two people who had no clue in 1966 have grown and changed and tested love, and by the Grace of God are still in love, still married.

The joys of a first apartment, a first house, a first new car pale compared to the ecstasy over a first child, and the second one. Working and sweating together on the house or the garden, PTA and Girl Scout meetings, family trips, graduations and weddings; all the joys experienced together.

The pain when loved ones died, the anxiety of childhood illnesses, the loss of old friends. The fears and anxious nights when a car crash ends in flight for life, when a heart attack comes, when cancer strikes, when jobs are lost, when the money gets tight.

But Grace, always Grace, over and around and in all the joy and pain. Sustaining Grace, redeeming Grace that keeps two flawed people true to their vows. 

We celebrated with a quiet dinner at a nice restaurant. The bill for the meal totaled more than our combined weekly paychecks back in the 60s. An early evening; quiet contemplation; “I love you.”

We are not the same as we were. We have a clue now. Vows mean something. Nothing works very well without God. Love grows, from sparks and excitement to a well-settled fire that gives warmth and comfort. Love is strong. God is stronger. Happy Anniversary indeed!