60 Years and Counting

Ten years ago I had the pleasure of celebrating, with my family and many friends, my grandparents' 50th wedding anniversary. At the time I admit that I didn't completely understand the significance of the event. But in the last ten years I've had siblings, friends, and cousins all say their own vows, I've seen dear friends struggle through problems in their marriages, watched my parents counsel young couples who are working towards their own wedding day and seen my parents celebrate thirty-seven years (next month) of their own struggles and adventures in their marriage.
Saturday I once again had the wonderful opportunity to celebrate my grandparents 60th anniversary. I watched a touching slideshow that my cousin put together, depicting their lives as they started out growing up, Grandpa as the oldest of six kids, Grandma the oldest of five. Then as they got older, met in college, got married in their twenties, had five beautiful girls of their own, who have all gotten married and have collectively given them eighteen grandchildren (I'm #12) Grandpa and Grandma have faithfully served the Lord, first on their own, then together for the last sixty years and He has blessed them for their service.
My grandparents are in their eighties now and although I hope to have many more years with them I can be confident that when they are called home they will be greeted with the words I hope someday to hear myself, "Well done good and faithful servants."
But even if these amazing people were to be called home tomorrow they can be confident that their legacy will live on. The legacy of service they have instilled in the daughters, their grandchildren, and the hundreds maybe thousands of others they have influenced over the years, the legacy of love they have shown their whole lives and the legacy of dedication to their Lord and to their marriage. Because through camp trailers and tiny houses, five daughters, and eighteen grandchildren, these two have weathered the storms and I'm proud to be called part of their family.
So here's to you Grandpa and Grandma! To sixty years and counting, may your love and wisdom see us all through many more storms to come.