A Golden Celebration — Donna Evans

“Come and see what God has done.”
Psalm 66:5 (NIV)

I was fifteen years old when I met my husband. I had an assigned seat right behind him in Miss Lollas’ honors Algebra II class my junior year in high school. Each day in class I had a great view of his broad shoulders, the result of lifting weights and being a star high school athlete who played three sports. He was quiet, smart, and very shy. It took him three days just to tell me his name!

Bruce hadn’t really dated before, but a mutual friend who was also a football player arranged our “conditional” first date. The last football game of our junior season was being played on a Thursday night. If we won, we would go out together Friday night. If we lost, we wouldn’t. I was smitten enough with Bruce to agree to those ridiculous terms.

Our game with a cross-town rival was a disaster from the opening kickoff. By the middle of the third quarter, we were losing 31-6 and I was sobbing uncontrollably in the stands. Somehow during the fourth quarter, we climbed back into the game narrowing the scoring gap to just a single touchdown. (Bruce can still tell you the play-by-play!) When the game clock hit zero in the final quarter, the scoreboard read Huffman 37- Ensley 33. The final whistle blew; the players and referees began exiting the field. My first date with Bruce hopes were dashed.

Suddenly, however, the referees returned to the field and the coaches retrieved players back from the team buses and locker rooms. In the game’s final moments of chaos, a penalty flag for pass interference had been thrown against Huffman and the game couldn’t end on the penalty. We had one final play after the penalty yardage was assessed. Miracle of miracles, our quarterback’s “hail Mary” pass was completed and Ensley won 39-37!

Bruce and I had our first date the next night and the rest is history. Together we finished high school, attended Auburn University where he played football and I received my pharmacy degree. We married as soon as we graduated. Looking back, I realize that we grew up together.

Last week Bruce and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary and I am so very grateful for God’s good gift of marriage and children. Three years ago after James Bruce died, and I had breast cancer, and Bruce had quadruple bypass heart surgery, I wasn’t sure we would make it to this milestone, but by God’s grace, we did.

Sunday afternoon we had a joyous celebration with our children, grandchildren, extended family, long-time coaching colleagues, and a host of church and community friends. Every person there had somehow invested in our family over the last fifty years. Some had coached my children in Little League or high school athletics. Others had prayed for my children’s marriage partners; hosted bridal teas or showers; walked with us through our special needs parenting and caregiving with James Bruce; grieved and wept with us over James Bruce’s death; and fervently prayed for each of our grandchildren as we experienced multiple miscarriages and long adoption waits.

The Caroline House was full of family and friends, but not as full as my heart.

Throughout Scripture God instructs us to lay down mile markers and memorial stones as reminders of Who God is and what He has done. Sunday’s celebration was both. Fifty years of married life together is a gift of God’s grace, but it also a testimony to my children and a witness to the world. God truly has been faithful in His provision, love, and care. Each child and grandchild are gifts of God’s grace, and we give thanks.

I also give thanks for Bruce’s love, care, protection, provision, and most of all his prayers. He never wavered or walked out the door. Looking back on the last fifty years, I am grateful for his character and steadfastness in the “better and worse” of life, love, and marriage.

Many thanks to those who celebrated with us, especially Christian Terrell of Pen and Pastry who provided our delicious and beautiful anniversary cake. Christian is not only a fabulous baker, but a good friend who has been in several of my Bible studies at Briarwood.

One of our children gave us an anniversary card with his prayer that echoes my own: “My prayer for both of you is that you sprint to the finish and make much of our Maker!”

Amen and to God be the glory!