Happy Anniversary To The Carters

Today is the 70th wedding anniversary of Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter. Seventy Years.

I put Mrs. Carter first in that opening sentence because President Carter is usually the first in the headlines and to speak. For 70 years she’s been dutifully by his side. She’s been a full partner during that time, with each dividing the roles. It’s clear that they rely on each other.

I got the pleasure of having dinner with them a few months ago. I’ll admit that it was a bit surreal, but mostly because how normal it was. How real they were. They and a few of their friends sitting around a mutual friend’s kitchen table, eating barbecue sandwiches. (real BBQ; pulled pork, of course)

They’re a true couple. They’ve lived through ups and downs together – professional, political, and family related. They’ve recently battled cancer together. They won.

They’ve had a full seventy years. And they’re not done yet.

President Carter continues to teach Sunday School most Sunday mornings at Maranatha Baptist Church in Plains. There’s a scripture lesson for each session, but the life of Rosalynn and Jimmy Carter is a lesson in and of itself. Others talk about family values. They have seventy years and counting as testimony to it.

Congratulations on this most rare of milestones Mrs. Rosalynn and President Carter. You have my unqualified respect and admiration.