In light of all that has transpired in the past two months, we allllmmmmost let my parents 25th wedding anniversary slip by. But the keyword there is: almost. See, they hate surprises and they hate parties where they are the guest of honor, and they hate any of their children paying for anyyyything. So it was a little difficult to manage, but those of us children who live in the same state as them (that would be 2 of the 5 of us) forced a date on the calendar about a month ago. So when my sitter fell through and Noah got sick the day of the event, I was a bit disgruntled. But never fear...a wonderful, dear couple (Bobby and Heather Morton) drove TWO hours to come babysit for us and the boys had a wonderful time with them. I will forever be indebted to those two...they saved us from certain child failure (bc not celebrating a milestone like 25 years would be catastrophic). And Brenn went to the restaurant ahead of time to get a gift card so that they couldn't refuse us paying for their dinner. It was awesome...very incognito like. 
My sister, Brenn and her fiance, Adam and Jon and I took our parents out to a nice little restaurant here in Holland, called City Vu. Jon and I had never been there, but were very impressed. The atmosphere was great and the food SUPERB. I don't think we have had a dinner out with my parents since before Jonathan and I became parents for the first time, so it was absolutely blissful. We had adult conversation. No one threw anything, except some friendly banter here and there. No body poked anyone with their forks, except when Adam almost poked my eye out with the super long fork (just kidding). We laughed and ate in peace. And when we bowed our heads to thank God for the meal, I wished someone would take a picture. Not because we deserved to be noticed, but because I wanted to remember it, you know...cherish the moment. I felt like we were thanking Him for so much more than just 25 years...but for what all of those years held for all of us.
Then we took them bowling. Oh.My.Goodness. Ernie used to bowl on three different bowling leagues before he met my mom and became the parent of 5 children. He has not really bowled since then (and that was well...25 years ago). So he was pretty excited. He even brought his bowling ball. And his bowling shoes that have his name engraved on the back. Oh yes, and his bowling towel. He was so excited and it was awesome to see him so lit up about something. My parents are very easy to please, let me tell you! So we were all so excited to see him bowl. His first turn up...note there was an immense amount of pressure...went straight into the gutter. Poor.Guy! But by the second game...he had FIVE strikes in a row. And he does this super cool curving ball technique. We had such a fun time. And then we came home and ate chocolate cake and neapolitan ice cream...and coffee. We stretched the night as late as we could, trying to make it last. It was beautiful in every sense of the word.
I am not going to get into the pros and cons of divorce and remarriage. Whether it is right or wrong or somewhere in between. I am simply going to say that these two joined together four children under one roof and made us all a family. Ernie brought his two girls and my mom brought my brother and I. Together we formed a family...and then came Brennigan...the only child between the two of them, but she completed us. I work with families. I know how difficult second marriages can be and how difficult it can be for blended families to survive, let alone like eachother. But we worked. My siblings and I love eachother dearly...I think as much as any sibling could. Our parents blended us together beautifully and we are all the better for knowing and loving eachother...for the memories we share growing up together. And Mom and Ernie loved eachother selflessly from day 
one. They sacrifice for one another and depend on one another in such a beautiful way. Ernie does all the little things: has the car started for her 10 minutes before she leaves, has coffee waiting for her in the bathroom in the mornings, calls her just to check on her. Little tiny things that she doesn't ask for but must cherish because it is those things that send a message to her that he loves her deeply. And my mom respects Ernie. She speaks highly of him to everyone. She honors his opinion and respects the man that he is. This mutual love and respect has been such a gift to us children. I often joke that there are less than 5 men in the world as good as Ernie. What is interesting about that, is that there are 
probably less than 5 women in the world as amazing as my mother. They make a beautiful pair, they made a safe and happy and wonderful home for us children. I think I can collectively say from all of us kids: thank you for blessing US with the gift of your marraige for 25 years. That is the cool thing about the fact that this was a second marriage...4 out of the 5 of us have been around since day 1. And 
Brenn...you followed only two years later . We can remember the wedding ceremony and the promise that day held. We can remember the winter nights and summer days playing and laughing together on that dead end drive in Michigan. The good, the bad, and the in between...its all part of the story and the journey. Twenty five years is a long time...and to the children of those years...it is an irreplaceable gift. Thank you, Mom and Dad.
Love,
Your children...and your grandchildren...and your great grandchildren...and on and on it goes.
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