50 years: An Anomaly

Do you know the percentage of people who make it to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary? If you are like me, you understand with all that our world is going through, the number may be low but I was shocked when I learned this week just how low that number is. Seven percent. SEVEN PERCENT! That is absolutely crazy to me. 

Yesterday I had the honor nad privilege of taking photos for a couple who celebrated 50 years of marriage. I have known this couple for more than 20 years. In those 20 years, I've witnessed the ebb and flow of life take place within their family. 

Life has not always been easy for them but one thing that kept them part of the anomaly of our world has been their faith, which is why I found myself thinking what a beautiful testament to have most of their family present for the private Mass and celebration. 

As I drove home, after the celebration, I thought about that seven percent. I thought about all the people in my life. I've known many couples who have gotten married. In fact, I have gone to more weddings than I can recall. But a vast majority of those couples have ended up divorced. However, I've been blessed to know six couples who have celebrated 50 or more years of marriage. What did they all have in common? Faith! Every single couple put God in the middle of their marriage in the good times and in the bad times.

This should be a lesson for all of us. Our world needs faith. We all need faith.

Congratulations Andy and Sue for being such an anomaly. May we all learn from your witness and example. God bless you!