60th Wedding Anniversary Poem

After 60 years of marriage there is always plenty to write about. Christine was looking for a 60th wedding anniversary poem for her parents. Here’s what we achieved together, I’ll let Christine take it from here:

What is your name: Christine

Who do you want the poem written for: my parents

Why do you want the poem written: For their 60th anniversary

What style of poem would you prefer (happy, sad, romantic etc.): happy, remembering

Please choose which package you would prefer: Unique

Would you like a copy of the handwritten drafts: Yes

What are the key messages you would like to send: I want to wish them a happy 60th wedding anniversary.
They met at Purdue University after The War.  They were set up on a blind date by their friends to attend a dance at Purdue.
They were married February 11, 1950.  Their honeymoon was to Pokagon State Park.
I was born March 28, 1955 & am their only child.
The 3 of us had a great time throughout the years.

I want them to remember that they stood by each other through thick & thin.
I want them to know I think they are the best parents anyone could ever have & how fortunate I am to be their daughter.

Do you have any funny, sad, happy, embarrassing or other memorable moments that you’d like to share: For their wedding, at the last minute a few things had not gone perfectly & after they were pronounced man & wife, walking back down the aisle, mom began to cry.  I have a picture of dad looking at her & he has the most caring expression the most loving expression on his face.  Now they both laugh at that moment.
They have spent the majority of their married life living in Indianapolis.
We had pet cats throughout my childhood & Dad had to climb a telephone pole to get Thomas (the first cat) back after Thomas went missing.
We enjoyed our back patio with the grape arbor.
We went camping a lot & had fun experiences with our old CrisCraft boat on Raccoon Lake;   camping at The Indiana Dunes State Park with the raccoons, the storm that hit so hard it completely flooded the tent & everything in it;   in the cabin at McCormick’s Creek State Park with the skunks under the picnic table, with us sitting on the picnic table. 
We also traveled a lot & have great memories of the train trip to the west coast on the Empire Builder;  the trip through Quebec & seeing the bread ovens at the side of the road;   camping in Maine with wild blueberries just outside of the tent;  the trip to Hawaii;  camping in Michigan & going to the dump to watch the bears;  all of the trips to the gulf coast of Alabama at Gulf Shores & Orange Beach;  & so many more places & adventures.
Mom & Dad have had several trips to Scotland & England, to Europe, and to Russia where they even ate at a McDonalds in Russia.  They have had trips to Canada & Mexico & all over the USA.
Do you have any other comments or thoughts: My parents are very special to me & I would do anything for them.
I want to wish them a happy 60th in a special, unique manner.

(This was a combined effort as Christine made a few adjustments to my first draft. The second draft was a wrap, here it is):

That Dance At Purdue

Mom, Dad, I wanted to get you something special,
something treasured, precious, that sort of thing,
because you have been the sure and solid strength in my life,
you’ve proven the absolute sparkle, in your wedding ring.

And I just wanted to say “thank you”,
but to be honest, I didn’t know where to start,
so I thought I’d share a few feelings ;  I’d like
to give you some words, straight from the heart…

Firstly, I should begin by looking skywards,
and thanking those in the heavens above,
because I know I’ve been blessed to have shared you,
I know that I have been blessed with your love.

You were married on February 11, 1950, my!
That now seems such a long time ago,
in fact, it’s sixty years!  And a great lifetime (sigh)
it’s amazing, your love still continues to grow.

I guess your life began when you walked back down that aisle.
Even as the new bride began to cry,
Dad looked on, with the most caring, loving expression ever,
in that exact moment, he knew you’d get by.

So, your love blossomed in Pokagon State Park,
and five years later, I arrived in your life
the three of us had a great time throughout the years,
the devoted daughter of a very loving husband and wife.

You’ve stood by each other, through thick and thin
your love has been the bridge over any troubled water,
I want you to know you are the best parents, ever!
I know I am very fortunate to be called ‘your daughter’.

You spent the majority of your life living in Indianapolis,
and I think you’ve played a splendid, upright, parent’s role,
we also enjoyed our back patio with the grape arbor and
all the cats, even though Thomas climbed a telephone pole!

Remember how we’d go camping? We went a lot!
We had so much fun with our old boat on Raccoon Lake,
then there was the time the storm hit, we were flooded,
and at McCormick’s, we found the skunks, no mistake!

And we’ve taken the Empire Builder to the west coast,
we’ve traveled Quebec and seen the ovens at the side of the road,
we’ve camped in  Maine with wild blueberries within easy reach,
in fact, so many trips, I know I’ll never repay just what is owed.

Hawaii, Michigan, the Gulf Coast, Orange Beach, yes,
it’s one mighty long list and I could continue on,
but instead, I just want to thank you for being you,
yes, your love for me has always brightly shone.

Even when you’ve been travelling through Europe,
even when you’ve had a Russian Macca in your hand,
you have always been there for me, giving your all,
including a listening ear that will always understand.

You’ve come a long way from that dance at Purdue,
and in truth, I’ve never said just how wonderful you are,
just know that if my love for you were a distance,
well, it would reach way beyond the furthest star.

I also wanted to say Happy 60th Anniversary,
I guess that’s really what these words are for,
here’s to you, Mom and Dad, you’re truly wonderful,
and here’s to your everlasting love, for evermore.

Copyright Allen Jesson 1998 – 2010
www.agiftofpoetry.com

As discussed, this ended up being a collaborative effort. After the first draft, Christine replied:

“Thank you for the first draft.  I do believe you are on the right track, but I do have some changes, suggestions, & questions.  Please see my comments in the text below, in blue print.

And after receiving the second draft, Christine kindly replied:

“OH Yea!!! You have got it!!!  Thank you”

What Would Be The Message In Your Gift ?