How fitting it is to get married on New Year’s Eve; on your Anniversary, the whole world celebrates with you! My Mom has said those words every year – and 65 years ago today, my parents walked down the aisle and professed their wedding vows.
Fulfilling a commitment to love and honor one other for better or worse – for a lifetime – is no small achievement, especially in today’s world.
Dad, 86, and Mom, 85, have beaten the odds.
Thankfully, they have been blessed with long lives.
But it is their hearts, joined forever, that have sustained their marriage.
Indeed, they had struggles and obstacles on the journey; their quiet strength emerged as they worked through them, often without complaint.
Core values were paramount in their eyes, and their lives reflected their honesty, generosity, and integrity.
Family always came first. And my sisters and I benefitted from the many sacrifices they made.
Mom and Dad had little, but enjoyed life to the fullest. I love the memories of hearing the evening laughter downstairs when they hosted their card club, and of Dad blasting his Stan Kenton recordings on the new Hi-Fi.
Hearing the stories of how they loved to go dancing, and their weekend warrior trips to New York City to see Broadway shows make me appreciate their adventurous spirit.
And how could I ever forget those drives to Florida (sans carseats!) and our long days at the beach. Memories of swimming and picnics at Geneva-on-the-Lake, rides on the old navy raft included, bring smiles.
I will continue to remember all of the ways they nourished our family, well beyond the food and time around the table. (Though of course, in our Italian family tradition, food still takes center stage at all of our gatherings. :))
Mom and Dad, you have enjoyed the gift of 65 years together – and we joyfully and wholeheartedly celebrate with you!
Mom, you always said you had a “marriage made in heaven” – and that is the truth!
We thank heaven for you and Dad…
for your example, and for your unconditional and long lasting love for each other, and for us.
God has blessed us with you…
..and you continue to bless all who know and love you.
We love you, now and forever, with all our hearts.
Happy 65th!!!
beWARM 
So many memories and so much to be thankful for! We have been blessed…xox
We surely have, Jone! And so lucky to have each other as well! xox
A beautiful tribute!
To my beautiful parents!
Toni, this is beautiful. I too was fortunate to have been blessed with loving and fun memories of my parents. Congrats to your parents. You are blessed to still have them.
Yes, I am blessed, indeed – and thank God for the gift of my parents!
Toni, this is a wonderfully written tribute to two inspiring people. You are very blessed to have such loving parents. I always enjoyed visiting, your family stories, and some of the most delicious meals I’ve enter had. God bless you all!
Thank you, Maureen! Wishing you and your family many blessings in 2015!
A beautiful tribute,Toni, to two amazing people and their marriage that was made in heaven. A loving example for you, your sisters and children. How blessed are all of you to have them in your lives. Happy Anniversary, Lac and Dorothy!😘
Thank you, Jan for your love and good wishes….. xo
I love this Toni. Especially the blasting Stan Kenton which I use to do. I heard him and danced to him at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa where Buddy Holly played years ago and had the unfortunate trip which ended in his death.
Keith and I have been married almost 53 years and yes, there have been wonderful family times, but also struggles. God Bless your parents and your family. Toni, you and Joe live your faith and it’s wonderful to observe. love in the Lord, Debby
Thank you, Debby! And I love that you love Stan Kenton,too!!!
Beautiful tribute to your Mom and Dad. You are blessed family to have each other. You all live your faith by example one to another. Bless you in 2015.
Oops I am not “Anonymous”. It is Janet Thompson here.
Thank you, Janet! May you and Bruce be blessed in 2015 too!
Toni, sounds like we came from similar stock. My folks celebrated 68 before God took my daddy home at 93. What an example for us kids, grand kids and great grand kids. At his funeral even great grand kids asked their secret? The answer was always, “turn it all, everything, even your life over to the Lord! Don’t do anything without Him!” Food and lot’s of laughter was always at every gathering too. What legacy we have to carry on. Thanks for sharing and God bless you and Joe big time in 2015!
I so appreciate your comments, and our similarities! And, turning your life over to God is the only way to travel through life!
The one thing I would love to know is who you are – you are listed as “anonymous”. :)
OH, sorry, guess I have to sign in or something? It’s Alice from your singing buddy, Larry. :-0
That is nice to know, Alice!!! We have even more in common than we thought! :)