Happy Anniversary!

To my mom and dad. They have 42 years together now. Can you believe it? And they are still young! Mom just turned 60 this year and Dad is 61. Very young, in my book. They could easily reach 60 years of wedded bliss.

Things have not always been good, they had rough patches, they struggled, but they always persevered with almost an "us against the world" attitude. They were going to prove everyone wrong - that at the ages of 17 and 18 years old, they did know what they wanted and they were capable of making decisions. They have made a great team over the past 42 years, raised two children, have five grandchildren.

They met at a church cakewalk. How innocent! I believe they were 14 and 15, but they could have been older. They fell in love. They eloped from small town Nebraska to Long Beach, California in 1964, the height of hippy freedom, yet they soon had the responsibility of a baby boy. As hard working midwesterners, they knew exactly what they had to do - find jobs, do what it takes to make ends meet, raise a family. To that end, they moved to Denver, Colorado in 1969 and had me. They remained in the Denver area until 1998, when they realized a dream to move back to California and live on the central coast. This past year, they decided that they missed Colorado, their friends there and the best weather around (even with snow) and returned.

They have taught me so many things that I can only begin to tell you. I see some of my parenting skills and know their origin. My work ethic is definitely a product of my upbringing. They taught my brother and I to be independent, responsible and strong.

Nathan adores his grandma and grandpa. I cannot wait for Jocelyn to know them, too. I love them and I know I do not show it to them often enough.

I hope you both have a fabulous day!!