This past week, news broke concerning Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston and the demise of their marriage. It seems as if the public is shocked that these two superstars could actually be unhappy with their current state of matrimony. Why are we surprised?

Ironically, this same week, my grandparents (a.k.a. Nanny and Pa) celebrated their sixtieth (as in 60) wedding anniversary. The word on this street is that the couple is as happy today as they were back in 1945 when they decided to say "I do." By contrast, nobody is surprised that this marriage is a success.

In fact, if you take a look around, you are bound to see other couples that have been together before DVDs, Internet, plasma televisions, even cable television. Some lucky ones, like my Nanny and Pa, remember a time when space travel was only a dream, rock music was a fad and the "Beatles" were pesky critters that ate leaves.

What could a marriage this strong be built upon? How could a world war, Vietnam, civil rights demonstrations, Watergate, the real oil crisis, a Cold War, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the attacks of 9/11, the most recent war on terrorism and a devastating tsunami fail to shake the foundation of this marriage?

The answer is simple as pie. Actually, it's as literal as pie, too.

They met over a slice of pie at the Grove City Diner 61 years ago while my grandfather was attending military training at the college and my grandmother was a waitress.

There was no instant messaging, Internet chat, group dates, going steady or e-mails back and forth. They fell in love over a slice of pie and a cup of coffee. The rest is history. And what a history it has been!

The great part about it, however, is that rather than reflecting on their tremendous accomplishments, these two spring chickens keep moving forward creating new history each day.

Sure, they've got great kids who are all successful, six grandchildren and a couple of great grandchildren, but we've all learned so much from them, it's as if the past is merely used as a compass for today.

For instance, some of my greatest memories of my Nanny and Pa include a beach house in Charleston, S.C. There, my grandfather and I would walk the beach feeding seagulls, and I would listen to him. I don't remember what he said, but I know that it has made me who I am today with regard to my patience and ability to analyze situations in depth before speaking.

From Nanny, I've learned what it takes to make a family complete. Resilience, pride, grace and fortitude are the qualities she exhibits as this family's matriarch. I'm glad to say that I married someone with those same qualities. But rather than worry about the past, I've learned from my grandparents that it is better to keep moving forward and use the past to guide my future decisions.

It's harder than it sounds. Especially in this day and age, when everyone worries about everyone else's business instead of their own, and folks always try to bring up "the good old days."

I asked my grandfather if the good old days were really that good. He simply laughed and said there were wars, fights, social climbers, too many work days with too few weekends, and everyone worried about their future. That sounds a lot like 2005 if you ask me.

Sadly, I was unable to attend their anniversary party, but I know that in his mind, my grandfather was walking the beach feeding seagulls with me and Nanny was taking me to Children's Palace in Monroeville to buy me a toy. To me, those were good old days because I was eight years old and didn't know any better.

Instead of missing those days, though, I live them with my own children today, which is the lesson Nanny and Pa want each of us to learn.

Today, at the age of 35, it's nice to remember that the important things aren't my checkbook, house, car or position in life. It's who I share it with. Thank you, Nanny and Pa, for giving me the best possible example of how life should be lived each day. I love both of you.