Marriage Role Model Dream Team

You know, Evan and I are incredibly lucky in a lot of ways. For example, we both have jobs, we have health insurance, we don't have terribly bad morning breath, etc. But more and more, I'm starting to realize how lucky we are to have such incredible sets of parents who model to us, on a daily basis, what a good, healthy, and loving marriage looks like.

I mean, my parents just celebrated their 29th wedding anniversary on Sunday, and I still catch them staring dreamily into each other's eyes. And they flirt with each other. The still-fourteen year-old in me cringes to see that, but the newbie married part of me is just damn impressed. I love how much they love each other.

And Evan's parents are about to celebrate their 36th wedding anniversary, and they're at a point where they can more or less communicate wordlessly and without having to be in the same room. No, really. My father-in-law will suddenly look up from his paper, a question on his face, and before he even utters a word, my mother-in-law will say, "Yes, we do," and both then continue what they were doing previously as I sit gaping and astounded.

Both relationships are amazing, and totally inspiring to me, who regularly feels like I'm a total marriage poser just playing at this whole "adulthood," thing. This married dynamic definitely takes some getting used to, and when it's not as buttery smooth as I'd like it to be, I just look to my parent's and in-laws' and see what Evan and I could be like someday. They constantly show us how far a little work and a lot of love (oy, how cheesy can I get today?) can take a relationship, and it is such a motivator. Especially because we're still trying to get a decent laundry schedule down ("But I thought you were going to fold the clothes?" "Wait, is this basket clean stuff or dirty stuff?" "Not sure, should we just wash everything?" are common phrases thrown about the Tyler household) and our parents all run along like a well-oiled machine. At least, they make it seem like one; they always seem to have clean laundry. Along with their mastery of laundry coordination, they also raised us. There are days when I'm so overwhelmed in folding socks, chasing crazy cats, and burning dinner that even the tiniest thought of adding children to the mix makes me feel faint. And here our parents pulled it off, no problem. Amazing, I tell you.

My parents on their wedding day. Check out all the love in this picture! And check out all the tiers on their cake! 

The Marriage Role Model Dream Team. Plus Allen and Molly.

I honestly get all twitterpated when I think of Evan and I's relationship, and where it will be in 29, 36, or 50 years, especially when I know we'll be following in such amazing footsteps. 

Here's to you, Mama and Papo, Marybeth and Warren. Happy Anniversaries to the best Marriage Role Model Dream Team we could have ever asked for. We are so very lucky, and we love you all so much!