My sisters, Carol and Leslie, and I were privileged to host a 60th wedding anniversary luncheon for our parents at the University Club today. We think it is remarkable that our parents have been married for so long and we choose to ignore how that fact relates to our own ages! :-)

We love our parents dearly and count ourselves as very lucky to have been raised by two people who have given us a lifetime of unconditional love and support. So Mother and Daddy, for all the times you have worried about us, taken care of us while we were sick, given us money, said no, said yes, said "I know you can do this," said, "It is okay, I love you anyway" and given us unlimited hugs... we thank you. For seeing the three of us through 7 degrees (and other assorted training), for teaching us to be independent thinkers, for letting us go when the time was right...we love you. We know you are the GREATEST parents on earth and we hope, somehow, that you know how much we love you! Love and kisses...always and forever!

The album from my parents July 6, 1945 wedding, was displayed on the front table in a hall leading to the dining room. It has been a while since we have been through the album. Daddy made the comment that he and mother had eaten a few meals since the wedding. Yep, we said, about 60 years worth of meals!

Mother with a gift of beautiful daylilies from the gardens of master gardener, Fran Scheidt. Fran credits Daddy and me for getting her started on a daylily craze. On a trip to visit me in St. Louis in the early 1990's, Daddy, Mother and I visited Shaw Gardens, which had a daylily show and sale in progress. Daddy was looking for a low maintenance flower and returned to Knoxville with a number of varieties of daylilies, several of which went to Fran. While Daddy and I dabble in daylilies, Fran took off with the plants (and others she later purchased). The bouquet above is an example her fine efforts!

Long time friends with Daddy. On the left is Gid Fryer, supporter of the Smokies, retired from the UT's School of Social Work, harp singer, supporter of Laurel Theater and all around interesting man! In the center is Fred Young. He holds claim to knowing my parents the longest. He and Daddy were in graduate school together, studying chemistry, at the University of Virginia...that would be 60 years ago!

Fred told a story about me as a child just crawling. He dropped over to visit my parents when they lived in Oak Ridge and remembers Mother sitting in the living room very calmly holding my older sister Carol while she tried to control me (I was on the floor) by keeping her foot on the skirt of my dress. He said I was in constant motion tugging and pulling as far as I could within the confines of Mother's foot power. I am told that as soon as I could crawl, I was an active child. Mother said she always felt like she was pulling me off the ceiling. I guess things haven't changed much!

The guests, our friends...and, as Daddy told them, "you are the lights of my life."

Fred Young (left) and Harry and Faye Yakel. Harry worked with Daddy at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Brynestads. They came to the United States from Norway maybe 40 years ago. Jorulf went to work at ORNL with Daddy and the rest is history (and friendship and mutual respect).

John and I in a rare photo together. One of us is usually the photographer. My sweet Mother is sitting beside me.

Daddy and my future brother-in-law, Mike Smith. I think it is so cool that my sister goes from being Miss Smith (in her classroom) to Mrs. Smith. Now how hard is that to get use to?!

Gid Fryer (side shot), Anne Ensor (middle) and master gardener, Fran Scheidt (right). These people have "partied" with my parents for years...from the time they were raising young children and doing more serious partying to retirement where their parties end a bit earlier but are still filled with lively conversation and lots of fun!

Zelda Siegel (left-gracious lady and a delight to talk to) and Virginia Douglas (Gid's companion and all around fun person to be around).

The 60th anniversary cake. Since Leslie and I ordered it, we chose our favorite...chocolate cake with white icing. Yum, yum. The flowers are from Virginia...just lovely!

And finally, Mother and Daddy cut the anniversary cake! Happy Anniversary Mother and Daddy, may you have many more!