Thursday, November 15, 2012

50th Wedding Anniversary

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My parents' wedding day, November 15, 1962.
They were married in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple.
They are such a beautiful couple.

Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary
to my Dad and Mom!

I want to share a few thoughts about my parents today.
Today, November 15th, 2012 is their 50th wedding anniversary.

My parents are amazing people.
When they first met, one of the things they found out about each other was that both of them wanted 12 kids. How many people do you know who want 12 kids? Once my dad knew that about my mom, he knew he had to marry her. My mom comes from a family of 11 kids and my dad comes from a family of 8 kids. So both of them grew up in large families and wanted the same for their own family. I love knowing that they wanted each and ever one of us before they even began having children. In the end, after a second miscarriage, they came to the realization that 11 must be their number.

They had 11 kids in 17 years.
7 boys.
4 girls.

daughters and sons-in-law who they love...
and now...
46 grandchildren who they adore...
and counting...

Once my parents began having children, my Dad worked hard to earn a living and my Mom worked hard taking care of the household and caring for us kids. My Mom was a stay at home mom every day of her mom life. I cannot tell you how comforting it was to be at school and know that if I needed my Mom for anything, she was at home and would pick up the phone. I loved coming home from school and finding my mom and fresh baked cookies waiting for us there. I am grateful for that. And it could not have been possible if my Dad did not work so hard to make sure that could happen. He wanted my Mom to be there for us, he wanted her to be at home with us kids, loving us, nurturing us, teaching us. It is because of my Dad and his hard work that made it so my Mom could be there for us each day.

They have sacrificed a lot of us throughout their lives.
Their lives have been for their children.
They have gone without luxuries throughout their lives because their family came first.
Watching my parents work so hard and sometimes for so little and still stay out of debt throughout their whole lives has been such an example to all of us. They have taught us the value of work and the value of freedom of the chains of creditors.
 
They are fiercely loyal parents who believe in their kids.
 They love us, their family.
They taught us the importance of family and because of that, we are all best friends with each other. They taught us to be loyal to each other and to love each other and to help each other. Anytime there is something needing done for one of us, my parents and family are right there to help each other. And with as big a family as we have, it is a small army helping to get things done.

They love each other.
I am grateful for parents who set a good example of how to treat each other.
They are best friends and loved each other through the JOYs and the sorrows of their lives.
They have survived the deaths of their parents and the death of one of their sons and were faithful through it all.
They have been a support and a strength to each other and to us kids through heart breaking losses and life shattering trials.
 
My parents taught us the gospel of Jesus Christ.
They taught us about our Savior and His teachings the love that Christ has for us.
They taught us how to be good people.
They taught us who we are.
They taught us to stand for truth, to fight for what is right, to be honest, and to have integrity in our daily lives.

My parents are now serving their second full time mission for
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Yet another sacrifice as they are away from family serving the Lord.
We miss them.

My parents are amazing people...
and anyone and everyone would be blessed to know them.
We are sure blessed to have them as parents.
I could go on and on and on...


...bound together for eternity...

Happy 50th anniversary to my parents!
We love you, Dad and Mom / Grandpa and Grandma!

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5 comments:

Kristi said...

November 15th in Logan Utah? I bet that was a cold day.
Your parents are wonderful. There are not many as dedicated to righteous principles and goodness as your parents.
They ooze love and devotion.
I'm so glad to have them in my life.

Mindy said...

What wonderful people. :) Happy Anniversary Aunt Karen and Uncle Lynn!

Anonymous said...

Amen to that and to Kristi's comment. Happy Anniversary!!!

Leslie, which one of the girls did your parents NOT have?

Leslie said...

hahaha. i am so used to telling people that i have 7 brothers and 3 sisters, i guess i forgot to put 4 girls and include myself. :)
its fixed now. :)

ellen said...

I love the photo! I have a similar one of my parents in the 50's at the LA Temple.