My parents recently celebrated their fifty-year wedding anniversary. They were married in 1959 in the Salt Lake Temple. They spent their golden anniversary sitting in the classroom, preparing to serve as missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They will serve in Hyderabad, India, for an anticipated 18 months (assuming their visa problems are ever resolved).

This is their fifth such mission; the others were in Missouri, Wisconsin, China, and Armenia. They are now 72 years old.

My parents raised seven children through the difficult years of the 1960s and 70s. They endured many lean years, business failures, disappointments, and other struggles. Through it all, they have remained faithful and devoted to the Lord, each other, and their children. One of their greatest contributions to the world is their sterling example of a loving couple married for good.

In this day of pandemic selfishness, my parents are a terrific example to the world that marriages can last, and be happy, regardless of the storms of life. Jess and I look up to them for that (as well as being fabulous grandparents for our children), and in that way we hope to be just like them.

Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad. I love you.