love [luhv] noun: a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person
Sometimes I wonder what exactly was going through my parents’
minds as they ventured out on their very first date in October 1981. Did they
have any idea that for (at least) the next thirty-one years they would never
love another and would be forever connected in a way that is only found in a
Hollywood romance movie? Did my father know that this was the woman he would
marry, care for, support, and love each day for the rest of his life? Did my
mother know that this man would be the father of her children, the best friend
she could have ever imagined, and the forever love that she never knew was out
there waiting on her?
All I know is that whatever happened that night would be the start
of one of the greatest love stories ever told. Something had to have gone
correctly because after two more months, my dad slipped a ring on my mom’s finger and
asked her to marry him. A few short weeks later, they would be forever known as
“Mr. and Mrs. Kevin and Debby Ritter.” And
for the past twenty-nine years I have been fortunate enough to have that incredible
love story unravel right in front of me. 
As a child I thought everyone’s parents acted as mine did: hugs
and kisses each morning and night, respect and honor reflecting in the other’s
eyes as they exchanged glances across the dinner table, holding hands on the
couch after a long day’s work, little jokes and laughter radiating off the
walls of their sweet home, and the never-ending admiration they shared for one
another on a daily basis. The older I got, the more unique I found their love
to be. Rarely have I witnessed another couple quite like my parents. Now that I
am an adult and have been involved in my own love relationships, it is even more
evident how true my parents’ relationship is, has been, and forever will be. I
am so blessed to have this constant reminder of what “true love” really is
about and to feel the love between this man and this woman pour down on and
surround me every second of my existence. 
Not only is the love between my mother and my father alone
strong, the love that they together give to their family is that much stronger.
In everything they did and continue to do, my brother, sister, and I are taught
love. We feel it, unconditionally, and in return, we recognize love for what it
truly is and return that love to those in our lives. We willingly receive it
and, even more so, we unselfishly and generously give love to all those around
us. We could have never asked for a
better example of love, respect, and dedication than that of what we received
from watching our parents. Not only are we better people because of the love
that was showered onto us, but the world is that much better of a place all because
two people fell in love and worked every day to ensure that love was
everlasting.
Happy Anniversary, mom and dad! I am so grateful for the example
that you have set for me and the love that you have given to me. You will forever be my favorite love story. 
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