I can’t believe they have been married for sixty years. I can’t imagine doing ANYTHING consistently for sixty years, except maybe eating.
That’s 21,900 nights together! 10, 950 Jeopardy shows they’ve watched through the years.
I wonder what makes them still like each other. I asked my mom, what is the secret sauce? She told me that she wants my dad to be as happy and full as he possibly can be, and he wants the same for her. Maybe a lesson on selflessness, putting others’ needs before your own.
My dad’s advice? Never go to bed angry. I don’t think that’s a problem for them because they hardly ever argue. Oh, they have differing opinions about things. My dad makes a mess in the kitchen and cleans it all up when he’s done. If my mom uses a spoon, she washes it before another utensil comes out of the drawer. There is no mess in the kitchen – ever. They had to replace their counter tops because she wiped the marble off.
I think, after sixty years, they’ve just come to accept each other’s flaws. I probably have more than dad – that may not be so easy for my wife.
All of us likely develop our first impressions on what a marriage should be based on what we see at home. What I saw as a kid was parents who showed affection for each other – yes, it was gross, but they kissed and hugged and flirted on a regular basis my whole life. They worked as a team – cooking together, cleaning up together, teaching Sunday School together, hosting parties. Mom and Dad LOVE to host a party!
They still scheme over what they get each other for Christmas, always trying to surprise the other with some little something special.
They laugh and laugh about the simplest things, like calling out my name as loudly as possible in the middle of K-Mart when I was a very embarrassable teenage boy. They thought that was hilarious. It actually wasn’t.
They studied the bible together, teaching Sunday School class at our church. They read devotional books and prayed with us. They showed me that a strong marriage is rooted in faith.
They have known each other since before high school. In fact, my grandparents always told me they were in the same baby room at First Baptist Church in Florence, SC. They were friends in high school, but never dated. And then one Christmas, must have been about 1958, when dad was home from college, he randomly called mom to go out to catch up. The rest is history.
I love their story. I love them. I am so thankful they are my parents and am so thankful that they showed me what a really, really good relationship looks like.
The Real Fuller House 
kentuckysusie
/ August 26, 2020I love them them too! They are the best! Happy Anniversary Wayne and Jean!❤️
Sara Reals
/ August 26, 2020What a beautiful tribute to your parents! You were blessed to have had such a great childhood. Wish them Happy Anniversary from me (Sara from East Syracuse, NY).
Danny Tanner
/ September 14, 2020will do!
CBHall
/ August 26, 2020Kudos to Rev and Mrs Ham on reaching this milestone…and apparently still happy with one another—-impressive!
Danny Tanner
/ September 14, 2020They have both put up with a lot!!
Jean B Ham
/ December 29, 2020Thank you for such a sweet blog, Bruce. All you do is marry someone you love and continue practicing through the years with each other’s wants and needs on the top of your list. When your mate is happy your life is probably happy too. That is if the other person is also feeling the same about you. It’s a good aim for marriage .Selfishness is not allowed in a good marriage. We always work to make each other happy. Isn’t that what we all need to do for the people around us? Not just our mates but our family and friends and those who really need to be acknowledged as a worthy person. Changing the perspective in our lives to look outside of ourselves instead of only looking at our wants only does not make a happy life. Other people matter. Mom