Hi, everyone. Welcome to Thanks for being here. A short, weekly pod to remind us of the many

essential and beautiful ways we affect one another. Every Sunday, I'll read a submission from a

listener of Kelly Corrigan Wonders. Could be wedding vows or about mitzvah toast, a eulogy,

or retirement speech. We believe this is the loveliest way to tap into our better selves,

and remember our highest values. We encourage you to share this podcast each week with one person

you love. Maybe someone you miss or need to bring closer. Someone you want to feel your appreciation

or admiration or both. This is Thanks for being here.

Hi, everyone. This week's Thanks for being here is a letter that was written to celebrate a

50th wedding anniversary. Hi, Kelly and team. I'm a devoted listener of the pod and a reader of

all of Kelly's books, who remain so grateful for your voice in the world. Now that you've expanded

the Thanks for being here series beyond eulogies, I wanted to submit something I wrote last winter

for my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. Ironically, the idea to write it came from surprise

one of your podcasts, because it was still the height of COVID. We had a little family dinner for

eight, rather than a big, flashy party, and beyond the champagne and fancy food. This letter was

my gift to them. I'll paste the text below for your consideration in the meantime. Thanks for

all the good you're putting out into the world. Warmly, Stephanie Doublestein, East Grand Rapids,

Michigan. Thanks, Steph, for sharing this, and here we go.

Dear mom and dad, happy 50th anniversary. I was listening to writer Anna Quinlan on Kelly

Corrigan's podcast lately. She said she told her adult children all she really wanted from them,

gift-wise, is an occasional letter. So here's one to mark the occasion. Thank you both for making

your marriage and our family the north star of your lives for organizing your time, energy,

money, attention, and talents around nurturing and growing it over the years. Thank you for all the

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