A Testament
I just got back from my Grandparent's 60th wedding anniversary celebration. I have never witnessed anything as beautiful as my 80-something grandparents renewing their original wedding vows. Never. My Dad acted as the minister and read, from a 60 year old notecard, the vows that my Memaw and Pepaw took in 1948. They repeated after him. When they said, "Until death do us part..." I really almost lost it. Because death is much closer now than it was when they were teenagers in the 1940s. When they said those vows, back then, well, it's obvious now, close to death, that they were very serious about them.
The fact that I cried at this touching moment is fine. Except that I was the designated camera person so I HAD to keep it together. So silently, tears streamed down my cheeks while I swallowed my sobs. It honestly was a very hard thing to do. I think it's why I am crying so much now as I write this. When the "ceremony" was over I went directly to my sister who, as I knew it would be, was balling. She hugged me and said she loved me and we cried together...because we know and appreciate the love Memaw and Pepaw have more than most. We were, together, on many occasions, witnesses of this amazing love. And we were, together, on this very occasion, extremely touched.
I had to pull it together again though to give a toast...which was a task Memaw asked me to do just an hour before. I wolfed down some cake, pounded my wine, wiped my runny mascara, and BAM...I was ready. So I toasted my beautiful grandparents. I am ridiculously good at toasting. I don't know why, I just am. Maybe because I tell a personalized truth about the toastees. But I spoke of the love they radiate to all people they meet. And I said the reason they are able to give such love is because they have experienced such a deep love from one another. And I said that their marriage is a testament to commitment, love and family values.
And then I filmed many other people giving very sincere toasts. My Grandparent's hearts must have been bursting from all the love directed at them.
It was a wonderful occasion. They are wonderful people. And my life is absolutely wonderful because of them.
posted by heather hub at 7:46 PM
5 Comments:
what a beautiful experience. we had my grandparents 50th anniversary party a few years ago, and it was the same thing. so beautiful and so many tears.
and on a separate note... whaddya know? i'm known for my toasting abilities, as well :)
3:36 PM
Relationships are so hard. Couples who weather the life together make me believe in love. I wish your grandparents many more happy years together.
6:53 PM
Amazing. Congrats to your grandparents.
4:29 PM
My life is absolutely wonderful because of this post. It sounds like an incredible experience; glad you shared (and can write it so well)!
9:06 AM
That's so amazing.
My grandparents will have been married 65 years the end of this month. Sadly, there will be no big bash or a touching ceremony to attend, as my grandma has alzheimer's and really can't handle crowds or being out of her place at the nursing home. But I can guarantee that my grandpa will be by her side that day, just being there with her.
8:40 PM
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