Endless surprises

I love LOVE! It's not really something that the average person who knows me would ever think...but I do love LOVE! I come from a long line of great relationships, not genetic just a pattern. In fact, both sets of grandparents were middle school sweethearts who married, raised children and stayed happy together. And while that is amazing, it's my parents who remind me that love is a beautiful thing. My parents grew up in the same town as small children. In fact, my grandparents were all friends (who grew up together in the same town they raised their children) and so my parents knew each other well. And then when my mom was in seventh grade she got a phone call from my dad (an eighth grader) asking if she wanted to be his girlfriend. And that was it...they have been together from that day forward.

I grew up envious of their friendship and love for each other. They had this love for each other that I prayed for as a child and maybe simply hope for as an adult. They are predictably loyal, faithful, honest and real and those are the exact traits that have been the glue to their relationship. My parents were in love at an early age and married as teenagers. My mom was 18 when she walked down the isle and gave birth to my brother just a few months later. I am a product of teenage parents who got caught up in passion and whose lives changed in a moment. They were told that their marriage would never survive and that it would be the biggest mistake of all. This Thanksgiving weekend my parents will be celebrating their 39th wedding anniversary. And throughout this 39 years my parents have struggled financially, grown up both physically and emotionally, raised children, built careers, expressed no regret ever for the decisions made and through it all maintained an unbreakable trust and love for each other.

This morning my mom called me to share her news...my dad is taking her on a cruise (her life long dream) this Thanksgiving to celebrate. My dad who has often talked about having no interest in a cruise went out and researched, purchased tickets and surprised my mom with this gift to celebrate together. And in the middle of her excitement to share the news, she stopped and asked if it would be okay that they are gone for the holidays. And then in the next breathe said...I hope that it is okay because I can't wait to float away with your dad!

Thank you mom and dad...you made me love LOVE!