Linda
and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary this weekend. And we
are pretty happy about it.
A
half-century of marriage is a milestone that not many people achieve. Only
about six percent of married couples reach this important event.
In
our families, early death or divorce stopped any potential for many long
marriages. Linda’s parents enjoyed over 44 years together; my parents were two
days shy of celebrating their 35th anniversary. Further back in my
direct line, to my 3rd great-grandparents, there were only six
couples whose marriage lasted as long as ours has, one couple reaching 58
years. One set of Linda’s 2nd great-grandparents was married 60
years, the only couple to make it past 50.
One
of my sisters made it to 56 years; one of Linda’s brothers was married 60
years. Both are gone now, sadly. We miss all the people we have lost over the
years, of course. But we carry much of who they were within us, which has made
us richer.
Anyone
whose marriage lasts this long has different ideas of why. First, of course,
you have to live long enough. Too many people in our families, in my opinion,
died well before they should have. Second, there needs to be love between the
parties, lots of love, enough to be able to get through the tough times or the
mistakes that many of us make. Third, people need to be compatible. That does
not mean that they should be the same. My wife is outgoing; I am quiet and more
introverted. She makes friends easily; I have fewer of those kinds of
relationships. She can be calm in most instances; I have a low boiling point.
She likes to go with the flow most often; I am a planner. She likes white wine;
my preference is red!
In
other words, we complement each other.
I
am also extremely fortunate to have found someone to put up with me for so
long.
This
kind of anniversary leads you to look at your life, but not just back on it. We
have come through in relatively good health – apart from the normal aches and
pains that septuagenarians inevitably develop. We have children who are mature
and accomplished and whose company we enjoy. We have grandchildren who
constantly amaze us with their talent, potential and joie de vivre. We have
been able to travel to many spots in the world, in many instances to see them
as they do not live close to us anymore.
Because
of a pandemic, we won’t get to celebrate this special occasion with our family
this year. We are looking forward to a 50+1 party next year, though. Wish us luck
with that!
 |
Edwin & Mattie
Miller, Wayne’s grandparents – married 58 years
 |
James & Mary
Walker, Linda’s 2nd great-grandparents – married 60 years
 |
Robert & Susan
Anderson, Wayne’s 2nd great-grandparents – married 51 years
