The Definition of Love

The definition of love.  At Juliann and Jamin’s wedding this weekend, the officiant focused her entire ceremony around the word love, choosing love above all else.  I’ve been fortunate enough to witness what that really means in my in-laws, David and Kathy Kauss.  As my they celebrate their 40th year of marriage, I couldn’t help but think, how Dave and Kathy are true reflections of everything the woman was saying standing before Juliann and Jamin.  Dave and Kathy have one of the best marriages I’ve seen.  As Dave and Kathy sat in the audience among teary eyed family and friends, I know they must have been thinking back on 40 years ago, when they stood in the same exact place. They exchanged their promises to love, laugh and cherish each other for the rest of their lives.  40 years later, I can tell you from knowing them well, they have kept their vows to have a great time with each other, raise wonderful children and live life to the fullest, together.

If you know Kathy, you know that she is really into giving…giving her time to her brothers and sisters (she’s one of 10 children), always hosting dinners for 20+ and usually if you come to dinner she has a present for you, birthday or not, she’ll have some little-thoughtful-something, wrapped and ready on your arrival.  Family and friends are so important to Kathy, and keeping everyone connected is her mission in life.  Dave is right by her side, patiently taking direction from her on dinner plans, cleaning the house and organizing.  He is one of the most patient men I’ve met, calmly taking his role as a caring husband to his wife.

Throughout the past twelve years I’ve been fortunate enough to know them, I’ve spent many dinners under their outdoor cook-kitchen, Tiki-Hut, laughing, talking and planning family vacations.  I’ve sat in their living room and cried when I needed advice and even had a chance to live with them a couple months when Zak and I were first dating.  I’ve had twelve years of watching what love is like.  Watching Dave and Kathy dance to their favorite song “Crazy” by Patsy Cline, I couldn’t help but tear up behind my camera, with the rest of the people in the reception room.

I know that having such an example of love, my marriage to their son Zak is blessed, but that we also have a lot to live up to.  I also, sincerely congratulate Juliann and Jamin, once again on their wedding day, knowing that they picked the luckiest day ever to get married!  Marriage has many unforeseeable challenges, but Juliann and Jamin, know that you can always look to Dave and Kathy for advice on choosing love, above all else, in your marriage and we look forward to celebrating your 40th wedding anniversary with you one day!