A Silver Celebration

I like growing old alongside Billy.

That’s what I told a friend not long ago. I’ve not always thought about our life together with such sentimentality. Twenty-five years ago, growing old wasn’t on my radar. I was just a bride walking down the aisle toward the man and toward a future that could not be predicted, only lived out with the belief that marriage was, in fact, a good decision for me and my two sons.

Of course, there were plenty of folks in the room validating our choice – a cacophony of voices rooting for us from the sidelines, along with Dr. Ellsworth Kalas awaiting our arrival at the end of the aisle. What a gift he gave us that day, validating our budding love by reminding us of a wedding in Cana where the best wine was saved for last! But there were other voices as well in that season … a few who dared to share their concerns. There was the well-meaning friend who stopped by my office one afternoon and likened our courtship to a combination of peanut butter and cheese, an odd coupling. And then there was the well-respected professor who refused to counsel us because he had already decided that Billy and I, as a couple, were not marriage material.

Twenty-five years of marriage have a way of dulling the naysayers. Today we laugh at the memory. I confess, though, that in those beginning days of solidifying our union, I probably gave those well-meaning voices too much rental space in my mind. At times, Billy and I were an odd coupling, struggling to build a life together on nothing more than the firm covenant we had made to one another, to God, and to our boys on that sultry July afternoon at the altar of First Methodist Church in Lexington, KY.

Emotions weren’t enough to carry us through to this moment – a silver wedding anniversary. Covenant-keeping was.

And today, twenty-five years down the road, Billy and I are growing old together in a most beautiful way – a well-respected love tethered by a long season of deliberate choices that have weathered us, tested us and, ultimately, elevated us to a place of surety, strength, and safety. My gut tells me we’re going to lean heavily into that strength in the season to come; seems like a few clouds might be gathering on the horizon. 

Come what may, one of the things I hold most certain and close in my heart (perhaps the benefit of twenty-five years of covenant-keeping) – for as long as I am allowed, I will walk forward with my hand in Billy’s. He is my home. For better or worse, for richer and for poorer, in sickness and health, for as long as we both shall live.

We’re a team, Billy Olsen, and I am honored and blessed to be your aging bride.

I really do like growing old alongside you.

Happy Anniversary,

Background Music by Bebo Norman – “A Page is Turned” 

22 Responses to A Silver Celebration

  1. wifeforthejourney:

    I’ve parked myself in the sanctuary to watch this video again, in an attitude of thanksgiving to God. I am humbled by your love and your attention to detail in your celebration of today. Looking back, I see how God has used you, time and again in my life. I really thought, 25 years ago today, that i was getting everything I ever wanted. Seeing it on video is a remarkable thing. I really didn’t know how good God was, or what wideness can be found in His mercy, until I met and married you. For as many trials and triumphs as have come in our first 25 years, I love knowing that today is the start of our Golden Anniversary journey. In this moment, I rest in God’s peace, because I have you!

  2. Loved watching this. You and Billy are perfect together. May you celebrate your 50th just as happy as you are now.

  3. Elaine,
    Truly a joy to be able to see more of your writings.
    I have truly missed them

    • Anna, your comments stir my heart in a special way. I want to get back to writing. I have been in a dry spell in that regard, mostly because my time is consumed with many things. How I long to put pen to paper again! Thanks for being here.

  4. Thanks so much for sharing your lives with us! I see the love and romance in your eyes! I gleaned so much from the time you shared with us! Keep the love lights glowing!

    • Six glorious years at Pine Forest… and the Tuesday night crew at Bible study. Truly, those were some of my most formative years as a Christian. #muchlove

  5. What a blessing you are to those around you. Congratulations on your 25th anniversary.

  6. I loved the video and congratulations on 25 years and may you have many more years together!! Miss all of you!!!!!

    • Thank you, Dannie. We are so grateful to have shared 6 of our 25 years with the wonderful folks at Saint Luke!

  7. You probably wish that Bill Olsen could celebrate with y’all but he is probably looking down from heaven.
    Bill used to work as a realter with my Mother’s real estate firm called Partners in Real Estate
    in Chapel Hill many years ago. Billy probably remembers her Suzanne Anderson.
    She and I say Happy 25 years. I am her daughter Jane by the way.
    We were member of First United Methodist Church in Washington,NC

    • Thank you, Jane. I will share this with Billy. I do appreciate you joining us for our special celebration. We remain grateful for every person who has walked these past years with us. What grace!

  9. More congratulations from this corner, Elaine! Thank you for including the video–such fun to see the two of you grow up (But where was your second grade picture?!), become Mr. & Mrs. Olsen + 2, add two more, and celebrate the moments–from the challenging to the joy-filled–along the way. I’m praising God also for all the people whose hearts you’ve touched, side-by-side with Billy these last twenty-five years of ministry (so far)!

    • Thank you, Mrs. Ruegg. We’ve not connected in awhile, and I would love an update on your life via email! Please reach out as your are able.

  11. I see nothing but a perfect match!!!! Here’s to many more years of doing life together!!!!❤️❤️❤️

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