Today I want to recognize a true love story and that's my parents as they celebrate 40 years of wedded bliss.
My parents met February 15, 1973 at WSU when they both were juniors at a house party. After graduating in 1974 and a short long distance romance they were married on September 25, 1976 in Zillah, WA, followed by their wedding reception at Mount Adams Golf Course in Toppenish where my mother grew up. To this date, I still love my mom's bridal bouquet. I think she was far ahead of her time with that floral piece. My dad looked like a true stud with his oversized bowtie.
Less than two years later my mom was five months pregnant with me when tragedy struck my family. On his way to work, my dad was struck by a drunk driver. He was in a coma for over three months and my mother was by his side willing him to live. She kept a journal during this time and never gave up hope that my dad would wake up.
My dad was truly a fighter and somehow managed to come out of the coma shortly before my birth, even though I was born at a different hospital and my dad didn't see me until a few days after I was born.
Since then my parents love never wavered and my parents have become an inspiration to me and my sister and our families and are the best grandparents four kids could have ever asked for.
Tonight we celebrate their love and I wish them another 40 years of love and happiness.