When I was in junior high, my grandparents celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a party consisting of family and friends. I have a very large extended family, so people had traveled from all over the country to attend. The family photo included many people, but what I remember most is the love and devotion they’ve shared for as long as I could remember.
My grandparents have modeled what true love is all about—matrimonial love and spiritual love. They loved God more than they loved each other.
When I was 16, my grandma passed away suddenly, leaving a huge hole in our family and in our hearts. That was the first time I’d ever seen my burly grandpa cry. He sat in his recliner and allowed the tears to trail down his weathered cheeks. Their vows of “til death do us part” lasted over 50 years in spite of the challenges life put them through, including the deaths of two daughters at birth.
They took their vows seriously—they made a promise to each other and to God.
Twenty-five years ago, I eloped with a handsome Marine. We stood in front of the justice of peace. I wore peach. He wore gray. We were young and in love. Life had given us a fairy tale, and I was about to begin my happily ever after.
The past twenty-five years have been filled with laughter and tears. We faced some of our most challenging events together. It hasn’t always been easy, but we’ve always been together. Hubby met one of my deepest needs—security. When I rest my head against his chest, and he wraps me in his arms, I feel safe and loved and cherished.
At the end of the month, Hubby and I will stand in our church before family and friends and renew the promises we made as very young twenty-somethings all those years ago. Although we may have a few more pounds and a few more grays, I can honestly say I love him more now than the day I married him.
Our friendship blossomed into romance. We married, raised a family, and now our boys are stepping out on their own adventures. For us, the next twenty-five years will bring us into new seasons of our lives, but we will face them as we grow old together.
Your Turn: How many years have you been married? What’s the best piece of marriage advice you received during your newlywed years? If you’re not married, who models a strong marriage for you?
Married 25 years to her real-life hero, award-winning author Lisa Jordan knows a thing or two about romance. She and her husband have two young adult sons who have their own creative streaks. By day, Lisa is an early childhood educator. By night, she writes contemporary Christian romances that promise hope and happily ever after for Love Inspired. She is the Forum Coordinator for My Book Therapy. She is represented by Rachelle Gardner of Books & Such. In her spare time (ha!), she loves good books, romantic comedies, crafting with friends and feeding her NCIS addiction. Visit Lisa at www.lisajordanbooks.com.
Congratulations on 25 years!! :)
I’m not married, but I have to say that I’ve always looked at my dad’s parents as a good example of a marriage. Reading your post made me think of them. My grandpa passed away just over 3 years ago, less than a month before their 61st anniversary (I was 20 years old).
My grandparents weren’t overly expressive (at least not in front of us), but I could always see that they loved each other. They had their differences and would argue (though that seems like a harsh word for the disagreements they had), but it usually ended with Grandpa kindly patting Grandma’s hand and giving her a sweet smile, because he was willing to let things pass– even though he was usually right. ;) I’m a very affectionate person, so even small displays of affection catch my attention. I remember my grandpa pausing on his way to the dinner table to give grandma a quick kiss on the cheek… it always brought a smile to her face and totally made my day. Seeing the way they were with each other and hearing the way they spoke to and about each other really influenced me– way more, I’m sure, than they ever realized.