Spring has sprung!

After a long, dark, damp and depressing winter, nothing gets me going like the sunshine on a spring day.

And just like the newness that arrives with April, so does something else that seems as fresh today as it was 40 years ago: my parents' marriage.

Tomorrow the mostly happy couple celebrates 40 years of marital bliss. In this day and age, that's about five marriages for Britney Spears, or as my friend Joe puts it, "Your dad is on his sixth seven-year itch!"

Impressive?

Impressive indeed. But it hasn't always been a bed of roses. After all, they are my parents and there were, or maybe still are, times when I can be the problem child.

To be sure, there were job struggles, financial struggles, obviously struggles with grades and teachers, and an occasional fight at school. But somehow, through faith and perseverance, they survived it all and now are definitely enjoying the fruits of their labors.

Mom was always there for us when we arrived home from school, armed with a chocolate chip cookie or piece of cake, while dad pulled extra duty at a basketball game or attended another board meeting. Mom worked when we needed something, like a vacation or extra money for Christmas, but I simply remember her always being there when we needed anything. She still is.

Dad always provided more than enough, but not so much that my sister and I didn't learn the value of a dollar at an early age or the meaning of an honest day's work. We still recognize and appreciate those values.

And I think that's where the paradox exists. Where have those values gone, and do those same values translate into a successful marriage? Looking at what mom and dad have, I have to say "Yes."

Without hammering it to this current generation, we seem to want everything right now, or yesterday, in some instances; whereas only a generation ago, the rule of thumb was work hard for something and maybe you'll be blessed. There were no guarantees.

That's what makes the whole act of marriage amazing! You enter it with amazing dreams, grandiose plans and high hopes. Somewhere along the line, you realize that the dreams and plans you held probably won't come true, but there is a different, better plan in store for both of you if you simply hang on tight, work hard and keep treating each other like best friends.

My parents now spend a good portion of their time traveling together, unlike other couples who often vacation separately or participate in activities with people other than their spouses. They even work at the same golf course together.

When I asked my dad why, his response was simple. "Your mom is my best friend. Who else would I do this stuff with, and who else would put up with me?"

Those two things are probably the main reasons they've made it 40 years. It certainly wasn't their bank account, their house, cars, toys or vacation homes. It was respect. Respect for your best friend.

Mom gave me the best advice, and she didn't even know it — until now. "If you feel like you're doing all of the work, you're probably simply pulling your own weight."

Here's to 40 more years, and thank you for the greatest example of what a marriage can be!

Christian Ola, a community columnist for the Butler Eagle, resides in Mars with his wife, son and daughter and can be reached at christianolac@aol.com.