50 Golden Years~Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!

I remember nervously crumpling the decorative napkin and half-filled punch glass in my hand as a little girl, just waiting for the Guinness Book of World Record people who were sure to burst through the door in a congratulatory stampede at my grandparents' 50th anniversary party. I mean, 50 years of marriage had to qualify for a world record or two. Now, I look at my parents who are in the same station, and I am stilled filled with the same admiration and wonder for their marriage...though not quite with such naiveté. Now, it's not just the number of years that impresses me, but the depth of love and commitment that is woven among those years and binds them and our entire (large) family together. Children don't often get the opportunity to say it about their parents, but I'll gladly shout it any chance I can: I'm so proud of my mom and dad. They have loved, comforted, and cherished one another and honored the vows that they made before God through even those contrasting times that are contained in the vows that couples hope on the wedding day that they are fortunate enough to never see one another face--like sickness...My mom and dad have seen some extreme sickness, and they have also seen God's goodness and faithfulness through those times as well. From things like my mother so very nearly losing her life in child birth to the stroke that almost took my father and the long road to recovery that they walked together--squeezing each other tightly each step, I know that I'll be a better wife for having grown up under the comforting example of marriage that they set before me and our entire family in both times of lightheartedness and those of burden. They have endured it all with grace, not to mention whatever craziness their five kids and eight grandchildren (so far) could throw at them. (NOW, where are those Guinness Book people?) :) Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad. I am so very proud of you. We all are.

Before we took our big family trip to California (the Golden State) in celebration of the big 5-0, we had a reception (a Golden one) in my home town of Hardy, Arkansas (Party Hardy) :) to celebrate. Though that evening was not itself without opportunity for my parents to shine in their care for one another, it was a fun night of reminiscing and eating millions of desserts. (Thank you, God, again for your goodness!)

Before I post photos of the reception, these are some of my favorite images from my parents' wedding on June 16, 1957. I love the wedding photojournalism perspective that was employed by the photographer Mr. Jinx Scrape of Blytheville, Arkansas. He obviously knew the pj style was the way to go even way back then!



My Mom does everything BIG. They couldn't fit both sides of the wedding party in one picture!





Some images from the 50th Anniversary reception are below. My mother looooves gold, so this was the night to live it up! I purchased this cool plaque from a great company in Colorado (whose super-fun and helpful owner I found out is originally from Austin. small world! Check out their great work at the Family Plaque.)

The cake was designed to look like their original wedding cake from June 16, 1957.


[Please note the 'golden' punch. We were nothing if not thorough in our 'themery.' ;) ]

Clipped to this were topiary images from Mom and Dad's big day 50 years ago.
The yummy [and golden] candy buffet. (Probably should have snapped this photo before it "opened for business.")



My sister--the ever-talented Kristen Hodgson--captured this sweet image of my dad with our dear family friend, Carol Bates. I love it.

My Mom's cousin helped facilitate their introduction so long ago when they were in high school. Jimmy drove many miles to spend the evening with us. My dad--a craftsman of tall tales--will treat you to a story of how he had to twist the arm of Hugh--Jimmy's brother--to get that introduction.

The Stockton's drove all the way from Mississippi to celebrate with Mom and Dad, and we were so touched by that! I absolutely loved hearing stories about my parents' double dates in college during their days at Ole Miss and how smitten my dad was with my mom. (sooOOOoooo sweet!)


I think you'll find that there are no limits to the Hill family Ham factor! (I just asked them to be still whilst I set my lights.) ;)
Here's the whole family! Multiply life by the power of two!

Dad's cousin Cleo and her daughter Kim, who came all the way from Mississippi!

So sweet! Mom and Dad with the Brays, who drove many miles to celebrate with them. Mom and Nancy have been close friends since their days at Blytheville High School. (They had the boys wrapped around their fingers back then too, I'm told.) ;)

Mom and Dad with we five children...one of us for each decade! (I, as the youngest, of course, will take this opportunity to say that Mom and Dad saved the best for last. But I can only say that because this is my blog and no one is here to thump me in my head.) :)
Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad! We love you so very much! Here's to 50 more years!!