We met through a church friend (my sister’s boyfriend at the time) and attended rival high schools. It didn’t look too promising for a long-term relationship.

Here we are, 60 years ago, at a youth retreat, eating fried chicken together.

Then came the junior prom –

Then a senior prom –

And then the breakup midway through my senior year of high school.

Post-high school involved a bit of college for both of us, reconnecting as friends after a year and a half, falling in love for real, and in 1971, when we were both too young to know any better, we did a thing!

Babies came.

Babies grew up,

got married, had babies of their own, and began their own life journey.

And before we knew it –

We arrived here!

Happy 55 years to us! I’m not gonna lie – they haven’t all been sunshine and cupcake years. But through old house renovations (ugh, another crack in the plaster?), owning a small business (both a dream and a nightmare), raising three (almost always) wonderful kids, and living in 300 sq. ft. for 20 years – we’ve never given up on each other. And more importantly, God has never given up on us either. We are so thankful for His mercy and grace – that He has kept us together as we’ve been dancing through those minefields!

Thanks for coming along for the ride!

PS – And here we are in real time – following a lovely anniversary dinner with friends this evening!