Today it is an honor to wish my parents a happy 45th wedding anniversary. There is no marital relationship I admire more, and I feel so fortunate for the example they have set for Sidney and me.

Last night, my mom and dad continued a quinquennial tradition they started back in 2021. They took us three Reser siblings and our spouses out to dinner. The reason was not to just celebrate their own anniversary (I have such humble parents!) but to celebrate all our own coincidentally milestone anniversaries as well.

All eight of us around the table at Clinkerdagger for our first quinquennial anniversary dinner back in 2021. It was a little weird without our kids!

Admittedly, Sid and I celebrated our anniversary two months ago but since us four couples all have summer anniversaries (Miranda/Jay – June 4, Me/Sid – June 11, Glen/Carrie – July 4, Mom/Dad – August 16), my mom and dad deemed it worthy enough to include us all. What great parents, right?

My dad and mom at 1898 Room for a special milestone anniversary dinner with all the kids and spouses.

After celebrating the inaugural quinquennial anniversary dinner at Clinkerdagger in 2021, my parents made reservations for everyone at the 1898 Public House in north Spokane. We all gathered at a corner table that overlooked the golf course and after our server, Joyce, took the initial drink order, my dad presented her with a challenge…

My parents, siblings, and our spouses seated at a table at 1898 Public House for our quinquennial anniversary dinner.

Producing four cards with the different anniversaries we were celebrating (45th, 15th, 10th, 5th), my dad asked Joyce to use them to determine which card belonged to each couple. He passed the cards to our server and told her to take all the time she needed to make her guesses. Oh, dad!

Once we completed our appetizers, Joyce came to our table with some slight anxiety. She was ready to make her guesses! (watch here)

Joyce, our server at the 1898 Public House for our anniversary dinner, scrutinizes over who to give the numbered cards to. She was such a great sport!

She smartly started with my parents and correctly handed them the “45” card. After scanning our table under an obvious level of distress, she was ready to hand out the “5” card. She gave it to my older sister who celebrated her 15th anniversary with Jay this past June 🤦🏻‍♂️. I guess you just look young, Miranda? She then gave the “15” card to my younger brother, who celebrated his 5th anniversary with Carrie on Independence Day. But then Joyce redeemed herself by correctly giving Sid and me the “10” card.

Joyce didn’t mess up the milestone my parents were celebrating! She started off by giving them their “45” card.

We couldn’t help but convey our gratitude and support to Joyce for being such a good sport. We truly put her on the spot and she went along with it to make our anniversary special. The 1898 Public House is lucky to have her.

Jay and Miranda celebrated 15 years of marriage on June 4. This is them holding their “15” card last night at 1898 Public House.

As the dinner started to come to a close, I did the same thing I did at the 2021 dinner: I asked my parents for their best marital advice (you can watch it here). My dad answered with “Listen to your wife” while my mom replied “Be patient.” Take heed, everyone!

Joyce correctly guessed that we have been married 10 years!

Congratulations to my parents on their 45th anniversary. I don’t think it is a coincidence that all three children are happily married. Having that example that we have been provided is invaluable. In addition to the congratulatory note, I also want to thank my parents for the overflowing generosity they show all of us.

Glen and Carrie celebrated their 5th wedding anniversary on July 4, 2026. This is them holding their “5” card at 1898 Public House.

When we convene for the quinquennial anniversary dinner in 2031, my parents will be celebrating their 50th and my sister/Jay will be celebrating their 20th! Stay tuned for the blessings from that evening. Happy anniversary, mom and dad. Don’t Blink.