June 4, 1960 a very young couple from the Grand Forks, ND area got married.  Their names were Earl Hutton and Patricia O’Keefe, and I’m incredibly happy to say that they’re my mom and dad.

49 years ago life was a little different than it is today.  For instance, the average yearly income was $5,199.  The average cost for a new car was $2,275.  A gallon of gas cost $0.25, a gallon of milk cost $1.04, and a loaf of bread cost $0.20. 

I find it very interesting that when we hear numbers like these, we think, “Oh, the good old days.”  But were we really better off in 1960 than we are today?  Check out the little table I put together here…

So, I’m a bit off track from the real significance of today, but I do like putting things into perspective.

I’m of the opinion that we are all far better off today than we were in 1960 because life is really about relationships, not the cost of gas.  In 1960 Pat and Earl’s new family consisted of 2 people.  Today if you count kids, daughters-in-law and grandkids, the family of 2 has grown to a family of 20.  In the Bible that’s the spiritual principle of reaping what you sow.

I just noticed that the 49 year multiplier in the “cost of living” table above is roughly 10x, and the family of Pat and Early Hutton has also multiplied by 10x.  Wow.  Wierd, huh?

I wish I had some photos from 1960, but I don’t.  However, I do have a photo with mom and dad from a recent Tallahassee trip.

Lastly, I found one of the top music hits from 1960, “Save The Last Dance For Me” by The Drifters, and have included it here for your listening pleasure.

Mom and Dad, we love you very much.  Thank you for everything you’ve done for all of us over the last 49 years.