40 Reasons Why

Forty Reasons Why We Are Thankful

You Stay Married for Forty Years

Mom and Dad,

I am so thankful for all the ways that you have influenced me by the way that you valued your marriage. Thank you for sticking with it for so many years. Amy and I really appreciate the way that you have modeled marriage and influenced our own.

1. You showed me the importance of marriage.

2. You taught me to value and cherish family.

3. You gave me a stable family that modeled stable living.

4. You gave me a lasting and supportive family.

5. You modeled longevity in marriage.

6. You showed loyalty and dedication.

7. You taught me how to respect others by your reciprocal respect.

8. You taught me to have self-worth.

9. You taught me to be secure.

10. You taught me how to cook and how to install an electrical outlet.

11. You taught me how to serve my own wife.

12. You taught me how to work hard.

13. You taught me how to be patient with others.

14. You gave me hope for my own good marriage when I was growing up.

15. You taught me the importance of faith.

16. You taught me self-control.

17. You showed me how to work to maintain a marriage.

18. You gave (and continue to give) me peaceful holidays.

19. You showed me how to live a balanced life.

20. You gave me a place to grow into emotionally maturity.

21. You taught me how to budget and spend as family.

22. You showed me how to love.

23. You had enjoyable family vacations that I always looked forward to.

24. You showed commitment even when you were forced to be a part for a long time (when Dad was overseas).

25. You showed me the value of never speaking poorly of one another in public.

26. You gave me a peaceful home environment to grow up in.

27. You taught me to pray as a family.

28. You taught me to eat together as a family.

29. You taught me to serve my wife.

30. You made time to spend together as a family.

31. You taught me the importance of affection.

32. You modeled biblical leadership.

33. You taught me how to be a pack rat.

34. You taught me how to throw things away.

35. You modeled generosity toward your children.

36. You loved me even when I was a brat (not infrequently).

37. You were a good team—not competing with each other.

38. You taught me the importance of communication as a family.

39. You treated me in a way that I want to treat my own children.

40. You made me who I am.

Happy 40^th Anniversary!