Joy of Love: Day 3 "Then and Now"

In the world today we hear so much news about divorce. It's almost as if marriage is a fad, so easily discarded with yesterday's jeans. We watch celebrities get married in drunken stupors and then file for divorce the next day. We hear about those couples that have been together for 20 years and then suddenly get caught in scandal because they "just fell out of love". I myself am guilty of marrying for the wrong reasons, and found myself in an unbearable situation, that ended with divorce.
I am so proud to say that my parents will celebrate their 32nd anniversary this year! In a world where love is a "feel good" emotion, they have stood together truely for better or worse. When they met, they were just kids. 19 years old and hanging out at youth group, I'm sure that they never imagined just exactly what that spark between them would blossom into. Through all of these years, with God by their side, they have managed to be poor, be rich, be sad, be joyful, be angry, and be blessed all while being honest and faithful. If I have learned anything from their marriage, it's that love is NOT a "feel good" emotion. Love is hard. It's not something that just one day goes away. It's something you have to work for. It's something worth fighting for! Love is trying and at times even painful. But Love is rewarding and ever enduring. My parents are my inspiration for this photo assignment, but also my inspiration in life. After 32 years, they still look at each other with the same joy the had on their wedding day. Here they are...then and now.