Happy 50th Anniversary, to my parents.

 

Fifty years ago, on a snowy day in the little church in Port Gamble where my mom’s own parents had said their vows, my parents—Frank and Laurie—promised forever after only six months of dating. They were just 19 and 23, so young and full of hope. Their story had already felt like something out of a movie: months of waving to each other on Noll Road in Poulsbo, until one night my mom quite literally stopped my dad in the middle of the street so she could finally meet him. One had just left a party, the other was on the way to it—and in that ordinary, small-town moment, the rest of our family’s history quietly began. After their wedding, they drove down the coast for a honeymoon at Disneyland, just kids in love, setting out on a life neither of them could have fully imagined.

Over the past five decades, they have faced more than most. They walked through the heartbreak of my mom losing her dad far too young. They navigated the weight of work stress and financial sacrifice so my mom could stay home and raise me. They carried the constant worry of having a baby born a few months early who grew up sick far too often. Raising me was not always easy, and yet they never let the toll of it divide them. If anything, it bound them closer. No matter the obstacle, they always chose forgiveness. They always chose to dig in. Problems might take a day or two to work through, but they never stopped holding hands and facing them together. Hard work and love were not just words in their marriage—they were the foundation. 

Individually, they are both larger than life. My dad is hilarious, stubborn, and the life of every party, the kind of man everyone gravitates toward in a crowded room. My mom is outgoing and fearless, yet thoughtful and deep. She loves fiercely, and her family, us five are her whole world. Together, they are steady and dependable. They are best friends first, always have been. That has been the quiet secret to their lasting love: friendship that never faded, laughter that never stopped, and a shared determination to protect what they built.

Some of my favorite memories are simply watching how well they care for each other. The way they have traveled side by side, always making time to sneak away for ocean weekends or trips to their home in Vegas, New York, criss crossing the US.   The way they still “date” each other, even now. For their 50th anniversary, they chose to spend a week together in Hawaii celebrating not just the milestone, but the life they fought for every single day. Family has always been at the center of their marriage, and their grandsons are now their greatest joy. Everything they have done has been rooted in love for us.

If I could thank them for anything, it would be this: for never giving up. For showing me that love is not about ease, but about commitment. For proving that no one in this family ever stands alone. Their love story can be summed up simply they were young and faced more than their share of challenges, but through every high and low, they held hands and faced it all together. And in doing so, they created a family that loves one another and through love, forgiveness and never giving up, remembering that the love they have for each other is rare and sweet. That 50 years have flown by but they have so many years still because they started young. They have so much love to continue to show each other and those that are lucky enough to be witness to it.  I feel like they love each other right now more than ever.   

Thank you mom and dad for loving each other enough to never give up on one another or our family.   If only we were all as lucky to marry our best friend.  Happy 50th anniversary, and here is to many more years together and with us.