Memories of my Parents

As I mentioned, we threw a party for my parents for their 60th birthdays/40th wedding anniversary. In lieu of gifts, we asked guests to bring written/typed memories of our parents to be included in a book they would be taking with them on their trip to Alaska, for which they leave tomorrow. Obviously, I have a million memories form which to choose. But I decided to choose one for my dad, one for my mom, and one for both of them together. And I went with the first one that popped into my head.

Can we have a moment for how all of the children are looking at the camera AT THE SAME TIME?

Dad first.

I don't remember why we were so obsessed with this song, but "Hip to Be Square" by Huey Lewis was THE COOLEST song when we were kids. Mom wasn't really a fan, but whenever she was not in the truck and it was just Dad, Alex, and me, Dad would put the tape in the tape player and we would BLARE it as we drove. And then when it was over, we would do it again. We would sing at the top of our lungs, dance as best we could in our seat belts, and If it was a nice day, we would roll the windows down and let everyone else listen to this coolest of songs. (And if you don't know it for some reason, do yourself a favor and click here.)

For Mom, I can't decide if this is a specific memory or the same memory over and over again, but I remember waiting for her to get home. Dad usually did pickup because she had to work until 5. I remember I couldn't wait for her to get home, so much so that I would wait by the stairs. When she came home, I would run to her and hug her around the waist. I remember she had this one brown dress that she wore a gold belt with and when I would hug her I would have to work around the belt. I remember her smell. She wasn't a perfume wearer because she was allergic, but she somehow still smelled like flowers.

When I was five, we went to Galveston, Texas, which was my first trip to the beach. I remember my parents playing in the sand with us, and then someone (I'm pretty sure it was Mom) suggested we bury Dad's leg in the sand. It was the coolest thing EVER. Somewhere there is a picture and I wish I had it to include with this post.

My parents are the best. They love God, love each other, and love us. They have been great examples of a life lived well and right. I love that I got to watch them as I grew up and that now, Charlie and Lucy get to watch them as they grow up.

Blessings abound through these two wonderful gifts God gave me!