No married couple is perfect, but mom and dad sure made a run at it during their heyday. This coming Tuesday would have been their 69th anniversary. They married on May 14, 1950 and were together for 60 years, until dad passed away in 2010.

Rather than thinking of specific memories, today I am seeing them through a more diffused light, almost as if through a mist. They had a balance of life together that I think all married couples strive for. They were unified by their love of each other, their love for us kids, and their mutual interests. They also had the ability to laugh, whether at life, each other, or one of dad’s many jokes. As our cousin Janice said “they laughed through life together. I will always remember their laughing. So sweet”.

Although life wasn’t simple for them, they always found ways to enjoy it during their journey together. Whether going out to dinner when dad got off work on a Saturday, or taking their grandkids for a walk in a local park, they made their time together count. Jazz, music, and dancing also played a big part in their lives. They had the ability to dance effortlessly together, no matter the music. They did the “Gen and Bill” step and moved easily, as they glided across the dance floor.

More than anything, they had a balance between them. After dad’s stroke, the equilibrium changed, but before that, it was about perfect. I think our cousin Dawn captured it best:

“Your mom was like home. Comfortable and warm. Your dad was like a spark that gets a flame going, then keeps the fire dancing. They were special people. I’m smiling now thinking about it.”

Happy Anniversary mom and dad. I’m sure you’re dancing across heaven, even as I type this.