Our 48th "Panniversary" or 48 years of standing the test of time in the kitchen and in marriage

 

This pot has been in use for 48 years. It’s part of a set of six, plus lids, that have lived with us from the day we were married. We bought a Saladmaster set at the Big E a little over a month before our wedding day. It was our first big purchase together.

We remember my parents reaction when they found out how much we spent on them. They obviously questioned our financial decision and perhaps worried about our future. The salesman’s presentation was just too convincing. Over the years, we have seen others in our circle of friends replace their pots and pans a number of times. We pat ourselves on the back for the purchase that has remained faithful all these years. It was a good investment after all.

Now there have been times when we have burnt things in the pot and really wondered if we were going to get it clean again. We scrubbed and soaked and scrubbed and soaked. Some have been difficult stains that took time and patience. Usually a baking soda paste does the trick and the set still remains in great condition, not exactly just like new, but in very good condition.

As I was scrubbing one of these pots recently, I was thinking that this pot represents our marriage. It was all shiny and new and without any scratches in the beginning. The handle was a bright black, not dull like now. We all start out our married lives, all shiny and new.

Over time, there have been situations where things have not gone well, and work has to be put into scrubbing and making things as close to new as possible. Sometimes it means soaking and scrubbing and more of the same. A loosened handle may have needed tightening, which was easily fixed. The quality and sturdiness of the pots (our relationship) has helped them to remain functioning and sometimes it amazes me how well they have stood the trials of time. Sometimes we feel it’s a lesson to others, “So there! We made it after all.” And other times, you can look at the pots and say, "Wow, they don’t look like they have been through anything, except for aging, they don’t look like they have been in use for 48 years."

Today we celebrate 48 years of using these pots and pans. 48 years of making delicious dishes and some not so good dishes. 48 years of service to our family and friends. 48 years of cleaning up messes, 48 years of being strong and faithful. Today we will probably not be using these dishes as we go out to celebrate our 48^th  wedding anniversary, but they will always remind us of our first purchase and as it turns out, symbolic purchase of our lives together.