56 years with the same person. WOW!! Some people can't make it 56 months....or 56 days. That is a lifetime and somehow they have made it work. Happy 56th anniversary to my parents, Carl and Donna Pitcher

Many marriages don't make it, even half of Christian marriages don't survive. On top of that, many couples are together in a loveless marriage? Marriage is tough and if it isn't, then you may not be doing it right. Ironic, I know.

I've been a fortunate person. I not only have parents that have been there for me but they've been there for each other. It starts by being centered in Christ. If you make Christ first and each other second, it makes for an amazing and rewarding journey.

I want to thank them for giving me a solid Christian upbringing. It's one thing to go to church but it's another to have Christ in the family too. They were the leaders of the Methodist Youth Fellowship group.

I remember one of the things that my Mom asked our youth group. It was "How do you know you are loved?" My Mom answered " when I'm called Masquaw." I got the name 'Masquaw' after the comic strip Redeye and I still call her it today.

Dad was my little league baseball coach and would play catch with me for hours, some times after a long day at work. I appreciate that even more now that I'm a dad and how tired he must have been when he got home but he did it anyway.

Pitcher is not only my last name but that's the position I play in softball and he was my catcher for many years. I call him 'Pops'. I don't have a story behind it, I just like the name.

They've been there for me when I was wandering the wilderness and they never lost faith in me. They believed in me more then I believed in myself and any of my shortcomings aren't because of them.

So Happy 56th Anniversary to Carl and Donna (Pops and Masquaw) Pitcher. If you're in Warren Center, stop by the store (there's only one) and buy him a cup of coffee. You could stop by the house and wish them both a happy anniversary.

Not sure which house it is? When you come to the "downtown" stop sign, look around and you won't be able to miss it. Masquaw might even have some cookies to enjoy. If you get any, bring some back for me.

Thank you....Love you....and Happy Anniversary.

....Do I still have to get you a gift?

More From 98.1 The Hawk