... their 30th Anniversary!!!
My parents mean the world to me, and I hope this post will serve as a little picture of who they are and an expression, thought insufficient, of my deep thankfulness for them and for their marriage!!!
My parents met a little over 30 years ago when they were set up on a blind date. Mom "accidentally" left her cake pan at the dinner, thus ensuring a call back by Big Bill. She still swears it was unintentional, but we all know better.
The following day, my dad, who is not known to be a morning person by any stretch of the imagination, was up "just driving around the neighborhood"...in my mom's neighborhood, however, and "happened" to run into her while she was out for her morning jog. (And I believe getting ready for the 3 other dates she had that day. She says she was a teacher and had to date to eat:))
Bill won her over the next week by cooking dinner for her at his house. (Unfortunately the surprise element was ruined when he had to call to ask how to bake a potato. Needless to say, Mom has done most of the cooking these past 30 years!)
They had a whirlwind relationship. Engaged in 6 weeks, married 6 months later- March 3, 1979! (I love to put them on the spot with the 6 week engagement thing asking. If I met a guy today, and was basically engaged by Easter, you wouldn't have a problem with it? They say they trust my judgment, although I am not so sure!)
But what can I say? It worked. In a culture that celebrates celebrity romances that last for a year, my parents (who are celebrities to me) have been a part of 30 year marriage that has been such an example to me and such a picture of Christ!
Mom and Dad, you guys together have been a picture of commitment- to each other, your covenant, and most of all to the Lord. You have been a picture of true love, a love deeper than the mushy picture we see on tv, but of a love that truly honors and serves and seeks to meet the needs of the other person above your own. You have been a picture of humility, of grace, and of forgiveness! You have been a picture of dependence on and growing in the grace of Christ. You have been a picture of joy and friendship! You have been a picture of what it truly looks like to do ministry together, and to put each other first, even above that!
Thank you for the example and encouragement you have been to me! May God richly bless you for 30 more years!!! I love you!
Now, why exactly did Cindy bring a cake pan on their first date? Happy Anniversary Cindy and Bill!!!!
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