55 Years and Counting!

 Some of you "old timers" like me will remember when there was a slogan, "Drive 55 and Stay Alive" or something like that.  I looked it up, and it was back in 1974, when the national speed limit was 55 MPH.  I don't think it lasted long, but anyway, I digress...

I woke up this morning and told my hubby  "we arrived at 55 and stayed alive", (or something like that).  Yes, today is our 55th Wedding anniversary!  If you are a Facebook friend, you are already well aware of that from all the pictures I posted.  Here is a link to a few pictures from the past anniversaries so I don't need to post them again.  

Anyway, this morning I took a look at our dresser in our bedroom and thought to myself, "there's the result of 55 years of marriage":  

I poured myself a cup of tea, using the teacup and saucer from our "good wedding china", Noritake "Thea" pattern...and enjoyed looking at our family...

This picture on the left was taken in 2014, the last family portrait where our whole immediate family was still together: Front: John, Pam, and my MIL "Nanny Steiner", Back: Our grandson Noah, our son Benton, son Scott, and son Matthew, and his wife Nicole.  Matthew would leave us for heaven's gates just three months later after a 4 year battle with cancer.  He was 41.  This picture was on his birthday.  Of course the picture on the right is on our wedding day, cutting the cake...55 years ago today!

A few years later our family was blessed to add a new member, our sweet daughter in law Rose. Here below is our current family, although this was taken on their wedding day in 2017: 

Our daughter in law Nicole, grandson Noah, our son Benton and his wife Rose, yours truly, hubby John, and our son Scott.

And here's an oldie picture of our three sons, taken way back before they all went their separate ways to college, marriage, work... (excuse the reflections in this picture).

We are blessed and thankful for the life God has given us over the past 55 years, even with all of the heartaches and sorrows, trials and tribulations and sometimes downright disappointments...but God kept us together...

Ecclesiastes 4:12 says:

"Though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him.

And a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

I have often heard this verse used in regards to marriage.  I looked up the significance of it to help explain it better:  (You can check on this link for more information from Tassel Depot.com)

"What Is the Cord of Three Strands Ceremony?

The Cord of Three Strands ceremony is based on a verse from the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible, which says, "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." This verse speaks about the strength of numbers and how the bond between two people can become even stronger with God at the center of their relationship.

The Cord of Three Strands represents God, the groom, and the bride. It symbolizes the joining of one man, one woman, and God in marriage. By keeping the Lord at the center of their relationship, the couple believes that their love will continue to grow and bind them together."

I do believe this to be very true.  Without the Lord in our marriage over these past 55 years, I don't know how we would have withstood all the trials that came our way.  We truly give God the glory for  our "arriving alive at 55".  

So, what else did we do today?  Well, we went out to eat lunch at our favorite restaurant in the next town, "Corky Bells" on the St. John's River.  Here's a few pictures from our day:

We asked our waitress to take our picture:

And then John took mine...yes, the wind was blowing my way too short hair. That is the result of a "bad haircut" about 2 weeks ago.  They say it will grow. But I was not happy because I had finally gotten my hair to a length and style that I liked, and even though I told that to the stylist, and even though she was the one who had cut it that way in the first place, she still basically just cut my hair whatever way she wanted. I don't think I'll be back, but meanwhile I deal with it.  

Here's hubby.  He sure is handsome!

Our view from the table:

More view from the table:

And more view from the table:

After we finished eating I took a little walk down on the dock, even though I wasn't supervised: 

LOL.

And from a distance I wasn't too sure what this funny looking thing was:

I guess this is how a turtle sun bathes!  Look at those hind legs! That was just so funny to me!

Uh Oh, someone's dock collapsed!

It's so peaceful and calm and beautiful...

Hey! Wait a minute! What's this I see swimming along in the water???

It looks like an alligator!!!

It IS an alligator!  (No wonder the turtle was keeping his feet up out of the water! LOL)

Hello there Mr. Gator!

He was just a cruising along...

I really wasn't this close to him, trust me.  I have a good zoom lens on my camera...

Now you know why children have to be supervised on the dock!!  And feeding these guys is a definite NO-NO!

However, I think he was hopeful...

He's really just a "baby"...maybe 4' long...

He kept coming closer and closer... 

Why, Hello Mr. Gator!  So nice to see you there!  I'm glad I'm actually way up on top of the dock where you can't reach me!!

I talked to him for a while, but I think when he realized I wasn't going to feed him...

He basically decided to just go on his way...

And this was the last I saw of him before he dove down under the water and swam away.

Sure made for an interesting anniversary dinner!

Later this evening the "kids" came over and we ordered PIZZA for supper, and then we played that "Deer in the Headlights" Game again.  Meanwhile, The Sand Hill Crane Family came on shore of Still Waters Pond and serenaded us and sang "Happy Anniversary"...at least that is how I interpreted their loud raucous singing!  LOL.

And because they were being so sweet to sing to us on our Anniversary, I did throw out a little bit of bird seed for them. I know, I broke my own rule, but it's our anniversary and they did sing to us...

And with that I will say good night!

The party isn't over yet.

Tomorrow we will be traveling to meet up with our extended family to celebrate all the August birthdays and Anniversaries.  There are a few. So stay tuned for the next episode of family celebrations!

Here's another link to a previous post written for our 50th anniversary

Wedding Memories

Here's the words to an old hymn that perhaps you may know and can sing along with me:

1. Happy the home when God is there,

And love fills every breast;

When one their wish, and one their prayer,

And one their heav’nly rest.

2. Happy the home where Jesus’ name

Is sweet to every ear;

Where children early speak His fame,

And parents hold Him dear.

3. Happy the home where prayer is heard,

And praise is wont to rise;

Where parents love the sacred Word

And all its wisdom prize.

4. Lord, let us in our homes agree

This blessed peace to gain;

Unite our hearts in love to Thee,

And love to all will reign.

Amen.