Celebration Expectations

Recently I had the privilege of helping my DIL plan her parents 35th Wedding Anniversary. A lot of thought and work went into it and it was an amazing party. There were probably 75 people in attendance. Her mother was very thankful for my part of the celebration and said that in a few years she would be helping plan my 35th Wedding Anniversary party!

We've never made a big huge deal publicly about our anniversary. Some years our celebration consists of "can you believe we've been married this long?" And "how did you put up with me?"  We are OK with this.

Our lives look totally different now. Because of more recent events almost all of our friends of over 20 years are not part of our lives anymore. We no longer have a home church. Friendships, that were at one moment in my life paramount to my happiness and functioning, are no longer available to me. What I have left are an amazing husband, 3 DIL's who are more like daughters, 3 sons, my best friend and my husband's best friend (who are thankfully married to each other). And I will include this new friendship we are creating with the above mentioned DIL's mom and dad. That would be the extent of my party! I guess maybe was a little embarrassed at first because there is no way that my party could even begin to look like their party! I know I am well and truly blessed to have these + my grand kids. A huge party would not be my style and I hope, that in a couple of years when it's "my turn" I am able to say so.

I guess I need to be reminded that my life doesn't have to reflect the lives of other people. I can be who I am and love those who have been given to me to love. Big isn't necessarily better . . . Love, life, friendships and families come in all sizes!!!!!!!