“Eternally Thine” is inscribed on the inside of their wedding rings, and it’s time to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary as a milestone along that timeless journey. As children, the story of how Alan and Jeanne met is etched on our hearts. In short, two kids attending Weber State College fell in love after meeting in a psychology class, the two bright minds came together, and have since changed the lives of their family and the community they call home. This short expos^ is their children’s view of a couple who are the perfect description of synergy; one + one = more goodness than imaginable.

Their eternal foundation is important… Shortly after being sealed for time and eternity in the Logan Utah Temple, they trekked off to the jungles of Bahia, Brazil to serve in the Peace Corps. Their young marriage was infused with service from the start. Earning the humble wage of 11 cents an hour, living in a small cinder block home, and showering in rainwater, was their first year of marriage. They worked to educate the local villagers, who they came to love and adore, teaching and providing them skills to improve their lives. They found great joy in their service and it has become a hallmark for a couple who finds giving, loving, and serving, both family and strangers, their life work. No better foundation for the 50 years and eternity to come^

In the last 50 years, there is more to write about them than paper has room. What matters most to us isn’t necessarily about what they’ve done, and in our estimation, it’s been miraculous and inspiring, but what they’ve taught. We know who we look to and recognize for our blessings… They have endlessly modeled in word and example what it means to connect to and worship a loving Heavenly Father. They teach it, live it, and have no shame in being disciples of Jesus Christ. They have taught what it means to love others and to serve them… If you want to be in the will, you need to plan on giving what you’ve been blessed with to others; time, love, resources, and attention. They have taught us what it means to work hard and never give up… We have been inspired by their work ethic, their failures, and their triumphs; they exemplify perpetual motion. They have taught us to be parents… patience, forgiveness, repentance, and love. Lessons taught will endure more than what they’ve done, we hope to measure up, fill their shoes, and teach as they have taught.

In their eternal journey, and what they would describe as their greatest joy, has been in the raising of their six children, their children’s spouses, and now 20 grandchildren. Their love for family and their desire to serve and bless us is their number one priority. They celebrate our successes, mourn during our hardships, inspire, lead, gather, and cheer us on. From our view, their 50 year and ongoing investment in family will truly reap eternal rewards.

We celebrate Alan & Jeanne, not just for 50 years of marriage… the ups, downs, and everything in between, but more so for who they are and who they’ve helped us become. We hope to see them celebrate 60, 65, 70, and even 75, but in the grand scheme of things, we celebrate the kind of marriage they have, one we all hope to have, something ETERNAL! We love you Mom & Dad and feel blessed to call you “Eternally Ours”. (Aaron, Kim, Matt, Laura, Adam, Annette, Eric, Cami, Christian, Emily, Curtis & Megan – and the 20 and growing who adore you… Morgan (Greyson), Allie (Max), Zac, Avery, Aubrey, Bode, Lily, Shelby, Cole, Corbin, Luke, Jessie, Bennett, Hadley, Mya, Benson, Anna, Nixon, Gia & Davis)