Vow Renewal

My parents' 40th wedding anniversary is December 11th.  They decided they wanted to renew their vows in a ceremony Thanksgiving weekend.  I knew it would be a special event, but the whole thing was even neater than I expected.  

Waiting for his bride

Megan played Jesu Joy of Man's Desiring as everyone walked in.  It is a very difficult song, and clarinet is not Megan's main instrument.  She did awesome!

The kids carried the rings and scattered rose petals. They were proud of their important jobs.

My brothers walked my mom down the aisle.

The ceremony was done by Pastor Noah, who was my parents' pastor for many years.

The kids did such a great job sitting in the front row.

The boys were content, so we left them in their seats.

Rod read from 1 Corinthians 13.

Zach and I sang "Charity" a song they had at their wedding.

My dad read all about how they met and started dating and other events from the last 4o years.  I learned some things I had not heard before.

My mom read a poem she wrote 34 years ago.

They also renewed their vows and exchanged rings.

My mom also thanked her seven kids and gave each of us a rose.

This is my mom's 40 year old wedding dress!!

After the ceremony, we had a reception.  Jess had done the decorating.

Our beautiful family

The boys

The girls

One of my favorite pictures of the night

Their first dance

My parents chose some great music to dance to.  I loved each song that came on.

The boys did a great job staying up more than two hours past their usual bedtime.  They only got fussy toward the end. 

Doing the YMCA

We had an absolutely wonderful evening celebrating my parents!  I am thankful for the marriage example they have set for all of us!

Congratulations on 40 years, Mom and Dad!