Why It’s Important to Grow Up Around LOVE! 41 YEARS!

Today my parents celebrate their 41st Wedding Anniversary.

41 years, that’s a long time.

41 years ago the beginning of my beginning started… the union of my mom and dad. They were young and in love and couldn’t wait to start a life together with each other, hand in hand.

They married on August 14th, 1976.

I was born on May 23rd, 1978.

Throughout the last 39 years and 3 months of my life, I’ve had the greatest opportunity of all… I’ve had the chance to be in the presence of a mom and dad that love each other deeply, wildly and madly. As a kid I remember feeling embarrassed when they would kiss in front of me or hold hands while they drove. I remember thinking, “Why do they do this?”

As I got older, I figured it out… because it’s LOVE. They love each other and it’s simple and it’s true and it’s beautiful.

Growing up surrounded by love is a gift because it’s something that you know exists. It’s not in a fairy tale. It’s not in the movies. It’ not in the books. It’s in front of you, every single day. It’s something that you see and believe in to the core because it’s there in existence.

Why is this important to a child growing up?

Simple.

They believe.

They know.

They wait.

They seek out what they’ve always seen.

When I met my husband, even at the young age of 19 years old in college, I knew. I knew he was the one because he reminded me of what I had seen throughout my life. He was giving and caring and funny and loving. When times were tough, he made them better. When times were great, they were even better because of him. He made my world full, just like my dad had done and continues to do for my own mother. I didn’t want to settle in life when it came to love. I wanted to wait for that ONE. I wanted to make sure he was right. And – yes – it’s a gamble… everything in life is. My parents are like perfect puzzle pieces and it’s something that I strived for and wanted so badly. I wanted what they had because it was beautiful to be raised within that kind of love.

I wanted that for my own children someday.

This is what 42 years of love and marriage looks like.

Thank you mom and dad for being examples in life for love. It hasn’t always been easy, but you’ve always made it look easy. You love each other so much and it’s something that impacted me deeply and greatly.

Happy 41 years!

You are the true example to me of happily ever after.

Thank you both for that gift.

About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

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