Sunday, June 17, 2012

A Hot Day in June

I love sweet stories, don’t you?
A little girl grows up in a small town in Louisiana. The kind of town where everyone knows everyone, and most are related! Her nickname is “Sunshine” (or Baby #2 to her parents) to those who know her because she always smiles and is a bright spot to others around her. It is a simple life. One filled with laughter, fun, and unconditional love. She is the only child of two hard-working parents. Her dad worked in a paper mill. Her mom as a night nurse. Later, her parents would open a gas station which became a truck stop.
A boy grows up in that same small town in a similar home. His parents are hard-working, expect their kids to show love and respect to God as well as others, and stand up for what they know is right. They built their own full-service gas station/ambulance/ wrecker service/grocery store on a busy highway. They raised their 2 sons and 2 daughters in the back of that station. Being two years older, the boy had never really noticed a sweet girl across the highway. He was the handsome football player who everyone liked and who probably never met a stranger. Those were the good ole days in the 1950s.
Then one day, that boy, who was home from college for a visit, happened to look across the street and notice a beautiful girl wearing a purple dress……They began a courtship that bloomed into a lifetime of love.
…..that sweet girl and that handsome boy grew up and got married on a hot Sunday afternoon in June, 50 years ago.
There’s much more to this story, but I won’t share all of the details. You see, that sweet story belongs to my parents, Joe and Shirley Hayman.
Joe & Shirley Wedding 1962 Mom and Dad were married on June 17, 1962 and today, they celebrate 50 years of marriage. What a gift they are to our family!
Joe & Shirley Cutting Cake 1962 They have raised my brother and I to love the Lord Jesus with all of our hearts, to give to others unselfishly, to do everything we do “as unto the Lord”, and to love our family with our whole hearts…..just like them. What an amazing example of a godly marriage they have shown….a legacy.
Thank you, Mom and Dad, for your years of marriage and teaching your children not to give up when life gets tough. Or to throw in the towel when that would be an easier choice.  It’s worth it. To God be the glory.
So, it is an extra special DAY today! My parents’ 50th wedding anniversary PLUS Father’s Day, when I can celebrate my own father and my husband, who both give their all to the ones they love. What a triple blessing!!
Thankful,


1 comment:

  1. Love it! What a wonderful story of a beautiful God-filled marriage! I am so thankful to know your parents, your sweet family! I celebrate with all of you, Kim

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