On July 18, 1953, in Casper, Wyoming, what might have seemed like an ordinary day to most was the most important day in my family’s history. It was the day my parents got married. They’d known each other for a long time since Dad was a family friend. When they first met, Mom was too young to be his girlfriend, but that didn’t stop her from having a schoolgirl crush on him…and what a crush it was. She thought Allen Spencer was the most handsome man she had ever seen, and that never changed. As one of Dad’s daughters, I can say that we, his daughters all agreed, he was quite handsome, and he was the best dad. His love for Mom never wavered either. To him, Collene Byer Spencer was his princess, his Doll, and he treated her that way. Any daughter who didn’t treat Mom with respect would quickly find herself in trouble with Dad. They truly were the greatest parents on earth.
Mom and Dad loved to travel, and as kids, we got to visit many states, as well as Canada, and for my younger sisters, Mexico. I remember some of our camping trips, where Mom and Dad worked together to get their five 
girls ready for the day. In later years, I often wondered why it took them so long to leave the campground in the mornings, but after years of wrangling slow little girls and later primping teenagers, they were simply used to taking things easy. Even when we girls got ourselves ready, Mom and Dad were not in a big hurry. They were on vacation, after all, so there was no rush. It wasn’t like the “Vacation” movies with a rigid schedule. They lollygagged when they felt like it, and we still managed to see everything we wanted to see. We might not have leapt out of bed and rushed around camp, but we fully enjoyed each and every campsite…well, most of them anyway. And when the vacation ended, we felt rested. Their focus was on enjoying life. Over the years of our lives, there were many such camping trips.
The years of my parents’ lives seemed to pass far too quickly, much like my own. There are so many moments with Mom and Dad I wish I could revisit…not to change anything, but simply to savor the moments once more. 
We rarely think to cherish those sweet times while we’re living them, because it doesn’t feel necessary then. I’ve been blessed with a wonderful family and a life full of love, and the memories I’ve tucked away will always be the most precious. Today would have been my parents’ 73rd anniversary. Once again, it is an anniversary they celebrate in Heaven, and as with last year, this year it will be with our sister Alena Stevens to celebrate with them. Happy anniversary, Mom and Dad. We love and miss you so much and look forward to the day we will see you again in Heaven.
