On December 11, 2026, my parents, Everette and Kathy Parker, will celebrate an incredible milestone: 50 years of marriage.
If you know my parents, you know they are the definition of hard work, devotion, and faith. For nearly 25 years, they worked side-by-side as talented growers and floral designers at our family business, Parker’s Greenhouse, and later alongside my grandparents. They raised three children in a home filled with love, always living just miles from family, teaching us that being there for one another is what matters most.
But life has also tested them fiercely, and through every trial, their bond has only grown stronger.
In 2009, our family’s world shattered when my dad faced a traumatic health scare. After a major surgery, a severe complication caused his stomach to enter his chest cavity, destroying his lung tissue and triggering ARDS—a condition with a heartbreakingly low survival rate. He spent 102 grueling days in the hospital, 78 of them fighting for his life on a ventilator. During that same heavy summer, we lost my dad’s mother. It was the scariest time of our lives. My mom, carrying an unbearable weight, worked tirelessly at Vogt’s Flowers, rushing to the hospital every single evening and spending every weekend by his side. Against all odds, powered by his sheer determination, love for his family, and faith in God, my dad survived. Though he still struggles daily with his breathing and stomach, he never stopped working hard for us.
The challenges haven't stopped. This past December, my 88-year-old grandmother suffered a terrible fall. She now battles dementia and can no longer live alone. My parents didn't hesitate—they brought her into our home to care for her. While it is a profound blessing to have this time with her, navigating the emotional toll of dementia is deeply draining.
Through all of their own stress, my parents have been my absolute anchors. In 2022, my world fell apart when my beloved husband, Don, went to Heaven. My heart broke in a way that feels like it will never mend, and I fight a daily battle with CPTSD, severe anxiety, and complex grief. My parents have carried me through the darkest days of my life. They love me, they support me, and they fiercely protect Don’s memory. They have open hearts that extend to everyone, including Don’s grandchildren, whom they cherish as their own blood.
My parents are the most giving people I know, but they are mentally, physically drained and financially tight to afford an expensive trip.
For their 50th anniversary, we wish we could give them the world. My dad always dreamed of Ireland, but they have never flown and are too nervous to start now. Instead, their dream is to return to Niagara Falls—the beautiful place where they spent their honeymoon 50 years ago.
Because of their health and the need for absolute reliability, my sisters, brothers and I want to help them rent a dependable car, cover their gas, and secure a comfortable, accessible two-night stay away from the chaotic main strip so they can truly rest. Based on our estimates for a budget-friendly road trip, our goal is to raise $650 to fully cover the rental vehicle, fuel, and lodging.
They have spent their entire lives giving every ounce of their energy to their jobs, their children, their grandchildren, and now to caregiving. They desperately need this chance to breathe, reflect, and celebrate half a century of an extraordinary marriage.
If you are able to donate, even a small amount, you are helping give two of the hardest-working, most faithful people a well-deserved sanctuary. If you cannot give financially, we completely understand and ask instead for your prayers for their health, and that you might share this page.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us honor our parents.
Please don’t tell them! They are trying to save up what they can in hopes of going
p.s. I’m such a mess I had to have google help me clean up my blubbering story, I apologize for that. I write from my heart and nothing comes out making sense but my love and respect for my parents…. I just want them to have a special 50th wedding anniversary and I wish I had the means to give it to them 😢 thank you, Sarah
