42 is a significant number in more ways than I realized. In fact, there is a website that shares a list of 42 ways the number 42 is significant. Ten of the ones that stood out to me are listed below.

1. It is the first number retired from a sports figure. It was Jackie Robinson with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

2. Although I don’t agree, it is said to be ultimate answer to life, the universe and everything in The Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy, by Douglas Adam’s.

3. Wolves and most adult dogs have 42 teeth.

4. There are 42 dots on one pair of dice.

5. Alice In Wonderland contains exactly 42 illustrations and makes many references to this number throughout the book, by Lewis Caroll

6. The Gutenberg Bible has 42 lines on each page.

7. The three top selling albums of all time each have a running time of 42 minutes. Michael Jackson‘s Thriller. Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd, and Back in Black by AC/DC.

8. 42nd Street holds some of the most iconic buildings in NYC: The Chrysler Building, Grand Central Terminal and Times Square to name a few.

9. Elvis Presley was 42 when he passed away.

10. There are 42 territories in the board game Risk. The map is set up as it was during Napoleon‘s time.

All these are quite impressive. But none mean more to us than this day 42 years ago.

On this date Tom and I said our vows before family and friends and most importantly before God. He has been the glue to hold us together when neither of us could see the way out of difficult seasons. He has been our constant and sure hope!

42 years and it seems as if we’ve just begun.

We often joke that we have each been married to five different people (all the same person). That’s because as time passes we have changed. As we do we have had to relearn how to love and support the person we’ve each become.

Sadly, many couples check out without discovering what life will look like married to this new person. I am grateful that from the beginning we both decided divorce would never be an option. Little did we know how this commitment would help us persevere through challenges where many couples would quit.

Has it been easy? No! Has it been worth it? A million times yes! No one shares history with me like Tom. No one knows me like Tom. And no one would ever love me as well as he has loved me. It is a miracle—taking two and making them one flesh. We agree with God in saying, “It is very good!”

42 years. This is absolutely my favorite year of marriage. Each year is a testimony of the faithfulness of God to help two imperfect people keep their vows to each other.

Don’t marvel at us; marvel at Him!

We were married on the 24th. Tom was 24 and together we’ve made it 42 years. We have three children, three amazing spouses to our children who have become like children to us. They have blessed us with nine incredible grandchildren. I think it’s time for us to celebrate!

I love you Mr. Walter. You have made life this side of heaven better than I could have ever imagined. Happy Anniversary to us.