Well we did lots of "Happy Anniversary"'s and "Enjoy your Special Day"'s but we think the occasion called for something even grander!
You see 40 years is filled with so much.
Not the least of which is the fruits of the labor of those 40 years:
3 kids
3 kids-in-law
9 grandkids
a million memories
a love and commitment to last a lifetime.
That's worth celebrating.
It's at least worth some chicken marsala, spaetzle and some cake!
at least!
I know I'v mentioned it but... to really drill it in, I love family get-togethers.
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We all got to look through photos of the start of this union.
40 years ago - we saw the day they made that leap.
Plus the photos of that honeymoon in Hawaii!
hashtag myparentswereyoungonce
This marriage, more than any other, decided so much about my life.
So glad to see how God has worked it for good.
How incredible!
I remember stories of my parents as young kids in love.
Something about my dad not being the first to ask my mom on a date but his friend beat him to it...Then something about that guy totally insulting my mom so my dad got another shot at it.
Go dad. Way to save the day!
1975.
John Manz and Janet Vogel marry.
1977
Their first child, a son, is born. Welcome Matthew John to the world.
Maybe not everyone is as obsessed with history and the past as I am but... I still think it's important.
Emma seems to share my brother's and my affinity for family history.
Emma is ma girl.
Ya know, seeing my father as a young man never gets old.
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It's so hard to imagine my parents having walked the same moments as I have.
And, I of course project my own life and circumstances into those photos.
One day will my grandchildren look at our wedding album with as much laughter as we look at my parents?
Will we mock my dress or Greg's hair? Will we have stories and stories of that day and those to follow to share with them?
I hope so.
I pray so.
1979
A second child. A girl. Marji Susan makes her beautiful debut.
1981
The family of 4 moves from Hartsville, Pa to our home-sweet-home in Furlong, Pa.
1983
SURPRISE! Baby number 3 comes along. Welcome Melissa Jan to the world!
My parents sacrificed quite a bit to put my siblings and I in private school.
We attended Plumstead Christian School in Plumsteadville, Pa.
All three of us have such wonderful memories of our years there and are beyond thankful for the sacrifice our parents made to send us there.
My parents have always been hard workers.
It's a precedent they have set. And one we kids strive to follow!
My dad has worked in the same job since he was 16. Hired as a teenager and promoted to head of the tool shop. He is dedicated, skilled, hard-working and committed.
I admire him for each of those attributes!
My mom has worked as a nurse since 1973 and became an RN in 1982.
All during our growing up years she worked nightshift so that she could be home with us during the day. I am sure those were long, long years but the dividends are eternal. I'm thankful for that sacrifice.
1996, 1997, 2002
Their three kids graduate from high school.
Marriage brings so many surprises. Well, I guess life does. Life brings so many surprises and in marriage you face each surprise and weather each storm together. So a wife's struggle becomes the husband's and his becomes hers. That's the beauty of it.
Richer Poorer.
Sickness health.
His and hers.
That can often rock the very foundation of marriage. I know my parents have seen many of life's surprises and have taken that in stride together.
The two of them. Their Faith. and God.
That's their heart's desire.
That's what they've shown us.
1998
My mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis.
2000, 2001, 2007
Each of their children graduates from college
I'm thankful looking back that I don't have memories of missing my parents.
There were no business trips or long absences that I can recall.
There may have been long hours at work... but I don't remember.
All I remember is running to my dad when he walked in the door and jumping into his arms.
All I remember is my mom walking in that door at 7:30 am tired as can be but willing to take care of a sick or struggling daughter.
That's what I remember.
We sang "The Tribute" for my parents to honor them and remember their special day.
It was the song my mom sung at their wedding.
The chorus sings:
"To God be the Glory. To God be the glory for the things he has done"
absolutely and amen!
2001, 2005, 2010
My parents celebrated each of their children's marriages and welcomed three new members into the family.
2015
My parents celebrate 40 years of marriage with their children by their side thanking them for their commitment and praising God for His goodness!
We rounded off the evening with a little throw-back activity.
That great wedding tradition of cake cutting and feeding.
Here's what it looked like:
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| The cake was our best attempt at replicating their wedding colors. It was the 70s. |
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| This time around there was an extra hand involved!! sneaky sneaky |
There is photographic PROOF that my dad started that.
But mom gave it right back!
That's love folks.
And 40 years of marriage
;)
Happy 40th, Mom and Dad. Here's to many more!
And 40 years of marriage
;)
Happy 40th, Mom and Dad. Here's to many more!
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| In case anyone wondered whether I was even present or not. hashtag lifebehindthecamera |
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