14,600 days ago… or 480 months… or 40 years ago marked the beginning of our family. Eldon and Joyce got married!

Mother often tells us about the snow on their wedding day and how the one guest stated she would be there “even if she had to walk there…in boots!”

There aren’t many pics from the event, so the ones we have are extra special.

Just look at them 🥰

40 years is enough time to see a lot of hardwork, health issues (not cancer or any worst case scenarios, but definitely enough time spent in waiting rooms), and disappointments.

40 years is enough time to enjoy my dad’s special blend of humor, my mom’s good cooking, lots of incredible blessings and memories.

40 years is a gift.

I dropped some flowers off that I’d picked up at the grocery store (“Some assembly required” I told my florist Mother) and asked what wisdom she had to share after 40 years. Soon we were knee deep in reliving the past.

Life is hard. No one is exempt. But the goodness of God is far greater than whatever valleys we encounter.

40 years, 4 daughters, 4 grandsons and one Miss Maria. (Missing the youngest 2 grandchildren here/ We definitely need an updated family picture.)

I’m so thankful that God gifted their love to us. I’m thankful that their commitment to God and each other has stood for 350,640 hours + . God is good and we are thankful.

As I’ve heard my dad sing every January 22 ever since I can remember “Darling happy anniversary!” He’s the king of creating different lyrics to fit the occasion, and it’s always a surprise when I look up lyrics and it’s just how he sang it-lol-

Darling, happy anniversary
Another year of love has gone by
Thank you for each day you give to me
My darling, happy anniversary

Psalms 16: ⁵ Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.
⁶ The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.
⁷ I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
⁸ I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Luv y’all,

Kendra

Bonus Pics:

It so happens that I remember both my Rhodes and Horst Grandparents 40th anniversary’s. We took pictures and in my 4 year old mind, it was a big deal.

The entire Stanley Horst family

Reuben and Margaret Rhodes and grandchildren