Happy Anniversary Mom & Dad!

Fifty-three years ago today, my mom and dad got married at La Iglesia Merced in Granada, Nicaragua. The church is pictured below. Today, they are in Granada so I can't celebrate with them and most likely they are quibbling with each other and have forgotten that they have been together for so long. They never were much for anniversaries but 53 years together is a very long time and I didn't want the day to go by undocumented.
La Iglesia Merced is a beautiful structure that has stood in the same spot for many years through political upheaval and revolution. I suppose the black patina is a testimant to all it has witnessed.

Three years ago, in 2005, we (the kids) decided to throw mom and dad a big party to celebrate fifty years of marriage. This involved a big family reunion as there are many relatives and most are in Nicaragua. So we saw a lot of relatives we hadn't seen in years, had mom and dad do a renewal of vows at La Iglesia Merced at the same tiny alter they said their vows at 50 years prior and threw them a big party at what is considered the "country club" over there. The renewal of vows was very special and at that moment, as I watched my parents, I realized that despite all the quibbling that I listened to all those years, they really loved and depended on each other. I guess quibbling is just a normal part of marriage...at least for them.

Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!