60 Years of Love

60 years.  That is a really long time.  60 years of marriage? That is amazing.  I'm so blessed to have such an amazing example of love in my life. 

 On February 14th, my grandparents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.  The following Saturday we had a wonderful celebration at their church.  The room was filled with so much love, laughter and happiness.  The stories shared were so touching.  The day was perfect is every way possible.  Here are some highlights of the beautiful celebration.  Enjoy! :) 

Another AMAZING cake from Pastries By Design.

Party favors for the guests 

Wedding pictures from 2/14/53 :) 

They're Here!! 

My boys are always so happy to see Great Grandma and Great Grandpa 

Grandma and Uncle Dave.  Dave's wife Ginny was Grandma's Maid of Honor.  She is SO missed. <3

These are the Grandparents I know best.  Grandpa is SUCH a clown, always.  He walked in wearing his clown shoes...and kept them on the entire day! You can take the clown out of the circus - but you can't take the circus out of the clown! Grandma is so funny too.  They are truly a perfect match.  I can't say it enough.  God has blessed me beyond measure.  I am so grateful for every moment with my beautiful family.  

Love them so much! 

Saying hi to their boys :) 

So much love in this room.  

Uncle Rick and Justin hanging up the awesome sign they had made. Everyone signed this before they left as a wonderful keepsake. 

Mom and Aunt Kathy 

Decorations and party favors at each table. 

Aunt Mindy and Aunt Sandy 

Love all around! 

I can't resist his "cheeeeese" face! :) 

My sweet, sweet Grandma's hands.  

Watching the lovely slideshow celebrating all 60 beautiful years that Bonnie and Uncle Fred created. So many great memories.

The day of the party was also Grandpa's birthday.  Aunt Sandy and Uncle Fred each took the stage to share some memories with the guests.  Aunt Sandy presented Grandpa with a cane to go along with her funny story.  So sweet! 

The Blessing 

Let's eat! We had so much fun preparing all of this food.  Some may look at creating food for such a large crowd as work --- but I tell you, in this family...it was the best time ever.  Aunt Kathy and I went out shopping the Thursday before.  We spent the entire afternoon laughing, telling stories and catching up.  Then we spent all day and night on Friday chopping, cooking and prepping for the big party on Saturday. It was so much fun to have everyone together.  We laughed and laughed....then laughed so more! I have to say -- my kiddos were troopers! We were at my mom's house til almost midnight that night.  Both kids went to bed and didn't skip a beat when I woke them up to take them home.  Troopers, I tell ya! I was very thankful!  

Being silly with the boas! 

I love this picture so much.  Precious. 

Grandma and Grandpa with their kids. 

The wedding party :) Poor Uncle Lyle was so sick with the flu and could not come.  We missed him so much that day.  

Grandma and Edie

Cutting the cake

Two amazing role models. 

All the Blevins boys were standing and chatting.  Love it! 

They have made so many dear, dear friends over the years.  It was so nice of everyone to come out and celebrate all things Gloria and Fain :) 

Uncle Roger put on quite a show for the crowd 

Pop Pop and Braxton 

Aunt Debbie and Uncle Roger did a few songs together.  SO MUCH TALENT.  Beautiful! 

Aunt Tiffy and Brenton danced to the music.  Poor little B was so tired.  He just couldn't stop to take a nap.  

Hello Matty! 

Uncle Roger sang one of Grandpa's hits - Hobo Joe.  About halfway through the song Grandpa stood up and took the stage.  It was amazing.  I love to hear him sing. It warms every inch of my heart! 

<3 <3 <3 

Family.  I love all of these pictures.  It's so hard to get a perfect shot of a group this big.  I have many, many pictures of this moment.  Please let me know if you want to see all of them and I'll send a link your way! :) 

Cousins all together :) 

Cousins

Matty played some of his original music for us as well 

Love them! 

Our family has so much talent.  It's amazing to me how many great voices we have.  Mom, Aunt Debbie and Uncle Roger put on an after party concert for us - it was fantastic.  I loved sitting in the pews and soaking up all the good ol' gospel and country music! :)

This pic makes my heart smile. 

All the cousins singing together. :) 

February 16, 2013 was a beautiful day.  I will cherish the memories for the rest of my life.  I have such an amazing family.  Out of all the families in the world, God chose this one to be mine.  Words can't describe the love in my heart.  I am thankful for each and every day.  Every memory.  Every laugh. Every story.  Blessed.