A Heinz 57 Jar, a 57 Chevrolet, and a Wedding Anniversary

By MarianBeaman on July 31, 2024

A Heinz 57 bottle, a 1957 Chevy BelAir, and a Jewish fable provide multiple metaphors for marriage. The first two proclaim the magic number 57, the number of years we have been married. August 5, 1967–August 5, 2024 which equates to our anniversary milestone this year.

It strikes me that the Heinz 57 jar offers some descriptors for a good match: spicy, squeezable, and zesty.

The fire red 1957 Chevrolet BelAir contributes some more attributes applicable to a good marriage: spacious, rare, valuable, with a strong engine to go the distance.

This Jewish fable describes three successive levels of peace and comfort found in a happy marriage.

Our Anniversary Meditation

Father God, we thank you for the river which flows with your provision: a roof over our heads, food enough and to share, wheels to take us places, a family to love. We express gratitude this day for the abundance of the river, where we share our personalities and values.

The blue ribbon of the Mosel River which joins the Rhine in Koblenz, Germany Pixabay image

Heavenly Father, thank you that our relationship allows each of us to exhibit opposite traits at times: cool and composed, complementing another's hot and expressive nature. Like the kettle, may the water in the kettle serve to temper the fire of the stove's burner and provide balance in our relationship.

And finally, dear God, grant us the finesse of the bird, able to walk on earth and to fly. Like the heron, may we blend both our abilities and ambitions as we cultivate the spiritual side of our relationship. Grant us joy at home, abiding peace which radiates Shekinah, your divine presence in our home.

Soup-eating husband Cliff offers another analogy about marriage.

Asia Wong, author Ada Calhoun's therapist, offers sage advice to newlyweds—to old marrieds as well: " . . . You need to figure out how to build sway into a marriage, the way you do into the foundation of a building. She [Asia] says that just as a tall building or bridge without room to expand or contract, to move in stiff winds, falls down, so a marriage that's too rigid crumbles at the first tremor." (quoted from "Wedding Toasts I'll Never Give")

Quote from My Checkered Life: A Marriage Memoir, Chapter 15 "Our Honeymoon and Camping in the Smokies