61 Years Ago Today

I just want to wish a VERY happy anniversary to my parents, Mack and Betty, who are married 61 years today!!!!!!!!!!!!! This time last year I was anxiously awaiting the arrival of my parents who were about to have the surprise of their lives! You see, 61 years ago today in Fairfax, Virginia, my parents were supposed to get married with a nice church ceremony and a reception afterwards. But they woke up that morning to 3 FEET of snow on the ground! There were no snowplows or ice trucks back then. And the pastor couldn't dig himself out because his driveway was a steep uphill climb.
So my Dad was the hero! He dug out his own car, managed to go get one of Mom's sisters and her husband (Aunt Esther and Uncle Caldwell). Then they drove to the church and got Mom's flowers because as Dad said "She needs her flowers!" And after getting they dug their way into Mom's they dug their way to the pastor's house where they got married. Afterwards, they went to a local motel and had a cold meal because the kitchen had no electricity. The next morning they had chicken because the only place they could find with electricity hadn't received their groceries and that was all they had left. Poor things!!!
They started their lives in an 18' travel trailer. A couple of years later they bought a nice house and after 8 years of trying I came along. I was followed by two brothers within 5 years and that completed our family. We lived in that house until I was 11 when we moved to another part of the area. My parents are STILL in that house today! And they're still VERY much in love! This picture was taken by my sister-in-law with her cellphone in August of 2006 and was part of what started the ball rolling on their party! My sister-in-law realized that it was coming up on their 60th and so we all got together and planned the party they never had. We had almost 40 people from 7 different states come to celebrate with us! They were soooooo happy and surprised!

Dad's now 86 and has been in very poor health over the past few years. We have thought several times that we had lost him, but he stubbornly hung on and now with his fancy pacemaker has been declared by his heart doctor "One of the success stories." Hallelujah! Thank You Jesus!!! Mom's going to be 80 this year and still takes good care of Dad. They now have a granddaughter (my daughter Michele) and a great-grandson (my grandson Noah). They've also adopted Steve's granddaughter (Molly) as their own. My brothers have had some hard times but are now doing much better. They are currently both living at home with my parents being HUGE helps and a great comfort to me since I live so far away. Thanks Bill and Tony!!! I'm proud of how you guys have turned out! :)
So, today I just wanted to brag on my parents. They lived through the great depression, through World War II (Dad was in Alaska and England), through Korea and Vietnam and both Gulf Wars. They have seen good times and bad. They've seen this country change enormously and have a lot of stories and advice. I've been able to scrap most of those stories. Now I need to get their advice for the future generations and scrap it!! :)
Happy 61st Anniversary Mom & Dad!!! We love you both very, very much!