Tonight my family celebrated the 50th wedding anniversaries of two of my cousins (who are brothers) and their wives. Another of their brothers and his wife, who came in from Maryland, hit 51 this year. My parents made 60 years in May. So did my uncle and aunt. I can tick off an easy dozen couples in the 25-49 year range and a couple dozen more that only death parted after decades. That this kind of abiding love is commonplace among my people is a blessing beyond measure. We hear so much about the dismal state of the Black family, but here’s the Black family I know. Here’s the Black family I love.

Cheers to you, Effenus and Helen, and Fred and Linda, and Dock and Barbara! Many more!

One of the blessed couples.

“Renewal of vows,” eldest grandson presiding.

The youngest in his first hard-bottoms. (Stacy Adams!) He said he felt like a gentleman.

50