I had the pleasure of witnessing my parents celebrate their 25^th wedding anniversary this past week. My parents decided that they would renew their vows on a beach in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. During this amazing ceremony, I had the chance to reflect on what I have seen of them throughout my life and how they have managed to raise me and my brother in a household full of love and laughter.

My parents met when they were both in college at the age of 22, and dated three months before they decided to get married. When I hear this story I think they are honestly the craziest people I have ever met because I could not marry anyone after knowing them for such a short amount of time, but that’s what they did. When I retell this story I am always asked the question “well did they have to get married?” the answer is no. They did not I am their oldest child and I am 18 years old which means that they were married about seven years before I was in the picture.

I have always been close to my mom and receive her advice on dating almost constantly (even though I don’t always ask for it) she always gives me the same advice, “Gabby go for the dorky, funny, guy that’s what I did and look how happy I am”. Well, after hearing that for 18 years I can honestly say that yep, I have a type.

During the ceremony, I had a few thoughts on my own life and I feared that I might never be able to find someone who loves me like they love each other, or I might not be able to love someone that way. Well, as the time went on I realized that the love I saw them share was love that they had developed over the last 25 years that they have spent together. I know that for them there were times when they fought, but they always found a way to make it work and they have honestly set the best example for my brother and myself on what a healthy loving relationship should be.

Well, during their beautiful ceremony, I looked at all the love and respect that they have for each other and it brought me to tears. They are so lucky to have a love that has lasted this long, that has endured the crazy curves life throws at them, the trials of raising 2 teenagers, and that has been an amazing example to those around them.

I asked them both, what makes them so happy, and they both mentioned laughter, love, compromise, and work. My parents have the unique situation where they work together everyday. This has (in my opinion) helped them create this dynamic of friendship that is so amazing to watch. My dad is a dorky, funny, man who has a million quirks but, is very caring and loving. My mom is a rowdy woman, with her own quirks but, she too is loving and caring. They have honestly become my role-models in life, and I hope to one day find a love like theirs, a love like Mom and Dad.