August 22, 1953.

For better: Their lives together, lived as one team, were better and greater than if lived alone.

For worse: The countless trials of day-to-day life for decades, the loss of both sets of parents and a number of siblings topping the list.

For richer: Being born into families that, like so many others, struggled during the Great Depression, they were frugal. Mom borrowed her sister Ruth's wedding dress. They worked hard...Dad outside the home and Mom mainly inside the home...they stretched and saved their dollars, always having more than enough from God's big hand.

For poorer: They never forgot their humble financial beginnings and were associated in various ways with Flint's poor at the Rescue Mission/Carriage Town Ministries for 50 years.

In sickness and in health: Mom had many health issues in her life, including dialysis her last two years. Dad was there for her. She kept him healthy via all the loving care she gave, making their house a home and helping him through his times of illness.

To love and to cherish: As I watched Dad care for Mom in her final years, he told me it was a privilege to do so. She had the faith of a child in Dad and his loving, caring presence in her life.

'Till death do us part: December 14, 2012, Mom was escorted Home to Jesus by an angel after 59 years together.

Before God and these witnesses: Their Maker and Savior saw them through the journey, every step of the way. God's Word and prayer were keystones in their daily lives. The witnesses present on that summer day loved and befriended them along life's road; most of them have now gone on to their eternal reward.

I pronounce you husband and wife: as Dad said recently, "when you're married, you don't belong to yourself." Those were words so well stated, strengthened and seasoned by 59 years of living as a team. Marriage is intended to be a 100% commitment by both parties. When both pull the load of life together...in the same direction...beautiful things happen. wedding collections collections with colors

I have my heroes in sports, music, etc. Yet, aside from Jesus, Mom and Dad top my list. They loved God and Jesus supremely, they loved each other, provided a loving and secure home for Dave Hays , Cheri Hays and I, lived lives that pointed us and others to the Savior, devoted their lives to each other..."for better, for worse"...until the very end.

Thank you, Mom and Dad, with great love and appreciation.