Blest Be the Tie that Binds

In honor of my mom and dad's 53rd Anniversary coming up this Tuesday... I love you both!

Mom and Dad in the middle, flanked by Dad's brother Bill (red jacket) and his wife Nancy, and dad's brother Steve (grey beard) and his wife Frances; at the Conservatory on Belle Isle last year

Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

Before our Father's throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our alms, are one,
Our comforts and our cares.

We share our mutual woes,
Our mutual burdens bear,
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.

When here our pathways part,
We suffer bitter pain;
Yet, one in Christ and one in heart,
We hope to meet again.

This glorious hope revives
Our courage by the way,
While each in expectation lives
And longs to see the day.

From sorrow, toil, and pain,
And sin we shall be free
And perfect love and friendship reign
Through all eternity.

Hymn #464
The Lutheran Hymnal
Text: Eph. 4:3
Author: John Fawcett, 1772, alt.
Composer: Lowell Mason, 1832
Tune: "Boylston"
by John Fawcett, 1740-1817