Celebrate 50

Newlyweds become oldyweds and oldyweds are the reason that families work.

~Author Unknown

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Today, we celebrate two wonderful things, my parents 50th wedding anniversary and my niece, G-money's, 16th birthday.  I'm pondering if I should have waited to compose this message, because there will be many memories from this weekend, but decided to go ahead.  Where do I start?

It all began with nutmeg.  I've heard the story many times.  My great-aunt sent my mother to the store for nutmeg, knowing it was hard to find and that hopefully my mother would ask the cute boy who worked there where to find it.  I can't quite remember but I think there were several trips for nutmeg that summer and the rest was history.  Unbelievably, my mother returned home to South Dakota.  They continued to correspond through letters.  Sorry, the thought of my father sending letters, well, he must have been in love!  In April he proposed and the rest, well, we'll call that history.  

So, as a tribute to my parents, here are a few things we have learned from you over the years:

1.  Always remember who you are.  

2.  Don't let dad drive your car.  And if you do, show him how to put it in park.  

3.  If you put cayenne on toast your children will not be convinced that it is cinnamon and sugar.  

4.  When you drink too much, you may not feel your eyebrows.  

5.  When you get into the car with a less than happy spouse, just buckle up and keep your mouth shut.  

6.  Don't leave the children home alone with a can of lemon spray.  And an infant sister who pooped her diaper.  

7.  Never send a Pontious to the store without a list.  

8.  Speeding tickets cannot be given when you are driving down a hill.  And when you do get pulled over, refer to #1.

9.  Keep your garage clean and your cars cleaner!  

10.  You can fall asleep and join a conversation midstream without missing a step.  

11.  Accordion fold your sheets.  Or face the wrath of mom.

12.  Remind your children of every stupid thing they ever did, even if it involves underwear.  

13.  Lead, follow, or get outta my way!

14.  If you get into an accident involving your work car and your personal car, be prepared to hear about it the rest of your life.  

15. Don't shit where you eat.

While we hoped for a list of 50, we stuck with just what came to mind immediately.  Most of all, thank you for teaching us that marriage is worth the blood, sweat and tears.  Thank you for being a great example of what a happy marriage should be.  We love you for it.  

So today, as you prepare to walk down the aisle again 50 years later, we wish you many more years of happiness.  And please, for me, more blog material.