My Eternal Companion and I are celebrating our 54th Wedding anniversary. I remember well 54 years ago, kneeling at the Altar and being sealed for Time and all Eternity in the beautiful Salt Lake Tempel to this marvelous man. Our years together have brought many growth moments.
We have known each other for 61 years and started our romance as Juniors in High School. We attended the first year of college at the University of Utah, and then he left on a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for 2 years in Northern California. It was a wonderful two years, yet hard to be away from each other. Meanwhile, I finished a degree in Nursing at BYU and graduated in May of 1967. We were married on June 13th.
He then continued on at the University of Utah, graduating with a Pharmacy degree in 1974. We have lived in several states through the years and had outstanding opportunities in our professions and church opportunities. We have lived in Utah, California, Nevada, and Washington. In each area, we cultivated many friendships that will be eternal.
During those tender years of living in different states and changing jobs and etc. We had 6 children. I was blessed to be able to be a full-time mother most of that time.
We now live in South Jordan, Utah. We presently have a posterity of 12 children, including spouses, 38 Grandchildren, including our married ones, plus 5 Great Grandchildren for a total posterity of 55. We love each of these precious children with all our hearts and feel privileged that they are ours.
Our years have been filled with many difficulties that are all part of our mortal life, which have helped stretch us and strengthen our bond together and our love for our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Just a few thoughts on my beloved. This man is incredible in so many ways. I could write a book just about him. He has been our strength and is a man filled with deep wisdom brought about through hard moments and a Christlike nature. He has been an example of faith in all things. When difficult times have come, especially health issues, he has always been positive and showed forth great faith in Heavenly Father's plan for him and us. He honors his priesthood and has given countless blessings to our posterity and others.
He has been a righteous father and has worked very hard to provide well for his family. He is a spiritual man with deep insight into the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His children come to him often for blessings and counsel.
He is a loving man who has been completely devoted to my well-being and continues to serve and love me in many ways. I feel always cherished by him. We both have deep testimonies of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We know that we have made eternal covenants that are binding and beautiful. We strive to live those covenants and be good disciples of Jesus Christ. We are far from perfect, but we believe in the gift of the Atonement of Jesus Christ, which includes repentance, forgiveness, love, and so much more.
Our greatest love is the temple. We committed early in our marriage to make the Savior the center of our lives and attend the temple a priority. We love to serve and have had many opportunities to do so.
We have had some outstanding opportunities of serving in our wards and stakes through the years. These have helped us grow in many different ways. We have served 4 missions together, which has been a highlight in our lives.
As we grow, older life is good and precious to us. We are grateful for these fantastic 54 years we have had and pray for many more.
Happy Anniversary to my Roger; you are my Eternal Love. I look forward to loving you forever!
