50 Years of Love

How do you know, just know, after knowing someone for two weeks, that it is a feeling that will last forever? The answer is, you don’t. You can’t know. So, you just jump in and take a leap of faith - a faith that you will come to count on through the years. Sometimes you have to lean on it pretty hard just to get through one day to the next. But you do it. And, you know deep in your heart that it is always there. “It”, you ask? It. Love. The real love that you promised to have and to hold, forever and ever, Amen. And, late at night when things are quiet, you can look deep in your heart, and sure enough, it’s fifty years later and just as fresh as it was then. You’ve made it through the tough times, the short times, the joyously happy times, the sharing times and the supporting times. And you just have to step back and say “WOW”! Did we really do all that? Did we really make it from there to here in only fifty years? Yes! With all the blessings from a loving and understanding God, you did it. You look around and see how that fragile, first young love grew into a big loving family that happened because two very young people who hardly knew each other were strong enough, brave enough, and in love enough to take that leap of faith, hand in hand, through the years.

So, as I watch the two of you, my wonderful parents, now celebrating your 50th anniversary together, I can look into your eyes and still see the faith and the love for each other and for my brother and me. The love you started out with, love that will last forever and carry you through all the new years to come. And, I can only hope that my brother and I will continue to carry on your love in our own lives and our own families that were started so long ago, way out in the country in Tennessee under a big ole’ tree at the end of summer in 1955. Daddy, I am so glad you asked, and Momma, I am so very glad that you said “yes”!

Your Daughter, Chauchetta D. August 13, 2005