TILL THE ENDS OF THE EARTH

Till the ends of the earth. This is what my Daddy has always said to my Mother in front of our faces. The only thing I’ve ever known about their marriage for sure, is that their commitment to be together till the ends of the earth, is for sure. The only reason I know this is because he’s repeatedly said it to her every day of my life and she has smiled back for 49 years now and counting.

Of course we all know nothing is ever for sure and nobody is invincible but the very fact that this has been their mantra since May 3, 1969, somehow it has stuck. And it remains.

That's pretty powerful. 

In a day and age where we are constantly questioning ourselves, our decisions, and our actions, one truth rests firmly in my daily adult life and that is this. If we choose love and we treat it with the respect it deserves, it usually has a decent chance at success. Case in point: Mom and Dad.

And I think I believe in it so strongly because I saw it with my own two eyes. It’s still here 49 years later, so maybe there is some truth within that truth.

Mom and dad are not magicians, but how the 49 years? Many people tend to think this is a rarity. But is it? They are the only parents I know so to me this is the norm. But really it’s not. I’ve seen divorce. I’ve seen relationships end. The heartbreak and the disappointment. It’s all very heavy. And for the sake of this beautiful story, let’s not focus on that. But in all seriousness-it’s pretty impressive to see them go the distance and here’s why.

People imitate life. All 4 of us Misajon kids don’t know any better than these 49 years. And when you think about how influenced we are today by not only our friends and family but even more so by the mass media, it’s easy to forget the 49 years club. It’s not glamorized or making top headlines. It might not even be popular. But to us, it’s very black and white. It’s commitment.

It’s going the distance. And on purpose. The intention behind the commitment is intentional. It’s yes. It’s because I want to. It’s because I love you. It’s because I’ll love you till the ends of the earth. And for me, on days when we can’t understand why it is the way it is, or why the tough times seem so tough, it’s important to remember the sacred word. The reason. And despite its dark paths and difficult terrain, it’s deciding to never look back and to hold on to what you believe in.

That is love.

That is how I have seen it.

That is how I was taught.

And that is how I pray to see it through in my own marriage.

Because life imitates life. People learn from people. Children are impressionable. And one crucial thing I've learned in parenting is we become what we see every day. We become who we learn from. And it's our responsibility to be our best even when we think we can't.

I'm one hundred percent certain that Mom and Dad did not have it all figured out. But their commitment to the dream of them, was all in or nothing.

Thanks to them for raising the love bar that so often falls tragically deep below sea level. Here’s to them. Because that bar left an indelible mark. And because we can use that kind of example in 2018. We need that. We all need that. 

And one more thing. The fact that you still make out in the kitchen is complete genius. I love you Mom and Dad. Thank you. Happy 49.