Dear Mom and Dad,

With your 30th wedding anniversary coming up this year, I wanted to thank you for the wonderful example of love that you have given me and my siblings. A happy marriage seems like a rare treasure these days so I have been pondering what exactly has made you both work so well.

Between the two of you, you have shared 6 kids, 4 grandkids, 19 nieces and nephews, 9 houses, 25 cars, and 7 pets. Those are some impressive stats, but they don't measure nearly enough of the love and joy that has encompassed your marriage throughout the years.

Though, there wasn't always a joy. For I've seen the pain written on your faces when your 3rd son was diagnosed with cancer. I've seen the grief and sadness you both experienced with the losses of dear friendships and the passing of loved ones. You always pushed on, never fading but keeping steadfast in your love. But I've also seen the light in your eyes when you both held your grandchild for the first time. And I've heard your laughter fill our house. I've seen the pride worn on your hearts on both of your son's wedding days. The good days have outnumbered the bad and my happy childhood was proof enough of that.

Though you both seem to be getting old nowadays you are still young at heart. I sometimes even catch a glimpse of that 20 and 22-year old who got married years ago. It's in the way you talk to each other and sit together. It's when I catch you dancing in the kitchen or see that sideways glance you share when I'm in trouble.

You have always been a team. I have never doubted your love for a second and I thank you for that. It is so precious to me. Because of you, I have seen what unconditional love is. I've seen how a man should treat his wife and I won't expect anything less from my future husband. It is because of you two that our house is a home.

Thank you, mom and dad, for giving us the gift of a happy marriage.