This is for keeps

Six months ago my parents celebrated their 35th anniversary, and my siblings and I said "Hey! We should celebrate that too!"  

Hence, this past weekend found us all in NJ, wearing coordinated clothing and whitened smiles.

After all, what better way to mark 35 years of life together then to document proof that it happened?

A picture, after all, is for keeps.  It's difficult to refute.

And it speaks for itself: It happened.

Now, lest you think we spent our entire celebration day sitting in a photo studio, let me fill you in:

We did not.

Since we are staunch believers in celebrating with food, we returned to Mom & Dad's 

where Keith & Marisa took charge of the appetizers.

This included lighting meat on fire.

(Leave it to Keith....)

After munching on the yummies and spending time with Grandma (who had been coerced into joining us for awhile...), it was time for main course preparation.

A menu of Filet MIgnon with Balsamic Syrup, Savory Risotto, and Roasted Ratatouille requires putting people to work...

...cutting vegetables like eggplant, peppers, zucchini.  

Oh, and onions.

(Sorry 'bout that Kara...)

The table was set with the wedding china, the wine was opened and allowed to breathe, and the food was laid out before us.

15 minutes later...we were done.

Fortunately, however, Dave & Kara had prepared two pie plates of deliciousness to help us finish off our evening.

We indulged with exclamations of wonder, over subdued conversation and genuine laughter.  

Reminiscing.  Being.  Tenderly loving.

Because here is the thing about being a part of a family:

You're not always going to know how to share your deepest heart. You're not always going to see eye-to-eye. You're not always going to chatter away with exuberant joy, or fully understand the severe mercies of each other's lives.

But you're always going to love.  

This family, after all, is for keeps.