Hungry for God; Starving for Time

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Wednesday

Does Your Marriage Have What It Takes to Go the Distance? A Tribute to Mom, Dad, & 51 Years

My parents -- Robert and Lillian Slice
Still dancing after 51 years!
Fifty years seems like a long time, until I think about the fact that it’s only a few years longer than I have been alive, and then it doesn’t seem like very long at all.  But to be married to someone for 51 years, now that’s a long time.


Thank you, Mom and Dad, for staying married.  By staying married for half a century you demonstrated that when two people say “I Do,” it is for keeps, and that when you love someone, you never hedge your bets, keep your options open, or have a Plan B.  You put all your money on the table, all your chips in the pot, and all your eggs in one basket.


By staying married for 51 years, you have demonstrated that love means commitment, even when the hard times come – especially when the hard times come. I've seen your marriage weather sickness, financial hardship, emotional struggles, parenting and grandparenting challenges, sorrow, disappointment, and even death.  

Staying married meant that some days you loved her (or him) better than you loved yourself, because loving yourself might have meant leaving instead of staying.


Staying married meant that some days you loved your children more than you loved yourselves. I thank God I never had to live in two homes, sleep in two beds, or have two sets of parents. Frankly, I like the original pair.


Most of all, by staying married for 51 years, you demonstrated to us that when you promised before God and your families and friends that you would love, honor, and cherish each other as long as you both would live, ‘til death should part you, you meant it.  You gave your word, and you've kept it.  At least, so far so good . . .   
When I grow up, I want to be just like you.


Robert & Lillian Slice 
October 12, 1961 - October 12, 2012






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9 comments:

  1. Rosilind Jukic4:36 PM

    Stopping by from Courtship Connection. What a lovely post. I hope my husband and I live to see our 51st anniversary. It is so encouraging and refreshing to see people who truly believed and took their vows seriously. Blessings from Croatia: Rosilind from A Little R & R: www.littlerandr.org

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  2. Ana Sullivan from The Lost Apron6:52 PM

    Found you from Growing Home/Teach me Tuesdays. I love this marriage commitment. I hope to be that example for my children. Read about preparing for Christmas:
    http://www.thelostapron.com/2012/12/preparing-for-christmas.html

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  3. Tillie1:26 AM

    I followed you over from Deep Roots at Home. I see people who have been married for so many years and *aspire* to be like them. I love to ask their secrets and tips and hear their stories. It's wonderful to see! I did a post on my blog some time back about the differences between "courtship" and "dating" and I definitely think one leads a little straighter to the path of a life-long marriage than the other (trying to get my oldest son to see the wisdom therein is a little harder sometimes!)

    If you'd like to come see the post about courtship, it's here: http://tillieisms.blogspot.com/2012/05/power-of-words-going-on-date.html

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  4. Gail @ http://biblelovenotes.com7:33 AM

    What a nice tribute and good thoughts on what this type of commitment means. My mom died a few years short of my parents' 50th, but I feel blessed that I was raised by two people who I know genuinely loved each other. They didn't just put up with each other or endure their marriage, they enjoyed it. It's a wonderful legacy.

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  5. Jenni10:19 PM

    What a beautiful testimony! Thanks for sharing this with the Thrive @ Home community.

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  6. Mindy @ New Equus - A New Creation9:44 AM

    Wow! 51 years is so cool! What a testament to having God in and through lives!

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  7. Becca4:19 PM

    What a beautiful tribute. Congrats to your parents! I like how you put it, "Staying married meant that some days you loved her (or him) better than you loved yourself, because loving yourself might have meant leaving instead of staying." That is so true!

    ahumblebumble.blogspot.com

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  8. Crystal @ Serving Joyfully7:56 PM

    So sweet :) Thanks for sharing, and linking up at Thriving Thursdays.

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  9. Judith9:13 PM

    I love tributes to people who have been married a long time. I especially thought it encouraging that you said they stayed married through financial, emotional, and all sorts of struggles. It is real to know that others stay committed through thick and thin.

    My parents had their 69th anniversary last August. Isn't that amazing?! I just can't get over it.

    Thanks for linking up over at WholeHearted Home this week. You are always such a blessing.

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