My husbands’ parents, Bob and Judy, recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. S-i-x-t-y years! I’m still trying to wrap my head around the number, as I close in on my own 25th wedding anniversary. Since I have known my husband, I have celebrated each of his parents’ five-year milestone anniversaries with them and their five children and spouses (adding grandkids as the years grew). It has been a way to capture the passing of time and their evolving love story. The question I pondered as we gathered for this momentous occasion was “what does it take to have a 60-year anniversary?”
Adventure. They have traveled the globe - hiking across the United Kingdom, the summits of Machu Pichu and Kilimanjaro, and biking thousands of miles throughout the United States. Creating adventures that fit interests and lifestyle are key to continue to grow together.
Agreement. They have a great respect for each other and found common ground to agree on most situations. Agreement includes acknowledging each similarity and difference, while supporting each partner’s growth to strengthen the relationship.
Appreciation. They appreciated one another through the challenges of raising five children and the different kinds of work it took to support the family. Appreciation is a necessity when it comes to completing the mundane tasks of everyday life, especially when it comes from a partner with sincerity.
Luck. And finally, to have a 60-year anniversary takes a little bit of luck. As we celebrate this accomplishment with 20+ children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren in attendance, I’m reminded that not all love stories reach a feat of this magnitude. There is a little luck that both partners are alive, healthy and contributing to the relationship. There is a little luck when a marriage isn’t prematurely ended with death or divorce.
May the important relationships in your life have adventure, agreement, appreciation and (a little bit of) luck to achieve the 60-year mark and beyond. And if your love story doesn’t have the longitude like my in-laws, may it be filled with these attributes until the final day.
KerryOn Questions
- What are the adventures you can incorporate in your relationships?
- What are the agreements you can incorporate in your relationships?
- What are the appreciations you can incorporate in your relationships?
Dedicated to Bob and Judy Lepp, a shining example of a true love story [married June 22, 1963].
The Kerry behind KerryOn
My name is Kerry K. Fierke, Ed.D. (pron. Fear-Key) I have a unique combination of skills and experience – decades of fast-paced corporate experience in Fortune 100 companies and large health care organizations, combined with the academic rigor of a highly ranked research university. My focus is supporting others to create their own path to leadership development, lifelong learning, and a unique leadership legacy. Take a moment to focus on leadership, then KerryOn!
To see all KerryOn's and other leadership stuff, visit www.kerrykfierke.com.
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