Today is the anniversary of my parents’ wedding.

My mother was forced to celebrate without my father for the first time in 2023, but she had the rest of us with her.

It was a tradition that my dad started about 10 years ago, they would plan to go out for their anniversary and invited me, my sister, and the people in our individual nuclear families.

He died on July 13th, their 46th anniversary 16 days away.

When that day came, she wanted to honor him and their bond by continuing the tradition of the whole family going out for a meal. Typically we went to Leonardo’s, an Italian place with some killer calzones and the biggest piece of baked lasagna that I can imagine. That year was no different.

Tonight, we went to a steakhouse because my mom has discovered a love for filet mignon and the delicious loaded potato soup. I humored her, in spite of the fact that my stomach would protest. We had good conversation and a good visit, and that is what I think she really wanted.

Happy anniversary to my parents, it would have been 48 years today.