3. Love is long-suffering and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, does not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked. It does not keep account of the injury. It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
4. Mum and Dad, It has been a real joy helping to put this book together for you. When reading all the messages from so many people that talk about how you have both had such a positive impact on them over the last 25 years, a pattern begins to emerge! What a wonderful legacy! You are an amazing couple who I am immensely proud to have as my parents.
5. Thank you for the loving home that you provided and for the many good examples you have set for us kids. I am very grateful for my brother and sisters! The last few years have certainly been a change, the way you were willing to uproot and start on a new journey is nothing short of inspirational. You continue to challenge and bless both me and many others with your generosity, love and compassion. Long may it continue! With all my love, Richard
6. Mum and Dad, Congratulations on reaching your 25th anniversary! I love you both very much. Thank you for being such wonderful parents and role models, and for making our family such a lovely place to be a part of. I’ve got many special memories of us all together, and I’m sure there are lots more to come! With much love, Jonathan
7. Mum and Dad, Congratulations on making 25 years of the Viney family awesome! You deserve a cup of tea and a Squiggle after that! I love you both so much and I cannot wait to see what the next 25 years will be like. Love, daughter no. 2,Raxy-po-taxy, Laura ☺
8. Congratulations, Mum and Dad! I’m so incredibly blessed to have you as parents. You have been amazing role models to me, such great examples of how to follow Jesus, how to make a marriage work, and how to be wonderful parents. Living with you for the first 21 years of my life was awesome. I can’t imagine a better upbringing, or a more loving family to grow up with. It is scary but exciting to move into this new phase of knowing you more as friends as well as parents. - Daughter #1
9. You are both so inspiring, the passion and commitment you have to Addington and the people here is rare. We are so encouraged to see you following God’s call on your life as a couple. We admire you for making your relationship work for over 25 years, you are a great example to follow. We look forward to the years ahead. Yeah, grandchildren! Nic & Si
10. Well, if your first 25 years were anything like ours, it was a mixture of ups and downs, wondering what was happening - standing on your head, then your heels, laughing and crying all at the same time: however, (thankfully), I don't think it was anything like ours.... and you've had heaps of fun. Well done........you've survived TWENTY-FIVE years, with only another 25 to go you are on the downhill run! I think it gets better and better! Bless you & lots of love, Jean
11. Congratulations Kathy & Ian! From our perspective “the best is yet to be.” Your lives & those of Richard, Jonathan, Nicola & Laura bring us great joy. May God continue to bless you both abundantly in the second 25 years and beyond! “And now, may the God of peace … equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to Him.” Hebrews 13:20-21 With our love & prayers, Allan & Maureen / Dad & Mum
12. Ian is a great uncle; he plays with me a lot. Aunty Kathy - I like her too! She cooks nice food and finds toys for me to play with. Love from Joshua Congratulations to an amazing couple whom we admire for doing such a good job with their children and for still being adventurous in seeking God and loving their neighbours 25 years on; two of our favourite people in the world to spend time with. Love, Graham
13. I second that wholeheartedly! We love your family and spending time with you all; it's obvious that you did a lot of things right in the way you nurtured and trained your children by they way they have become such caring and responsible adults. We always feel so welcome at your house; it's so relaxed; a wonderful place just to hang out and talk and share life. I have personally been blessed as I have watched you step out into your community and seen the sacrificial gifting and investing of your whole selves into others. You give your 100%. You're a blessing and we are proud to be related! Love, Teena
14. Well done you two! A wonderful achievement – thanks to hard work no doubt for both of you and God’s grace! Love you and warmest congratulations, David and Ann-Marie
15. I (Liz) was just thinking about the fact that I remember your wedding, it must be one of my earliest memories, because Dad tells me I was around two and a half. I remember walking up to the front of the church to present you a little white Bible. I wonder if you still have that? Weddings are such amazing days, and it was really special to share Nicola's wedding with you and the family. I admire the way you have brought up your family, and feel really blessed to have Jonny living with us at the moment. He's a real testament to the fantastic family home he's come from, and that's a great reflection on your commitment to each other and your family. Congratulations on 25 years of marriage, you guys are amazing. Tons of love, Lizzie, Tim and Annabelle
16. Dear Kathy & Ian (aka Little Sister & B-I-L), Congratulations on your 25th wedding anniversary! It seems hard to believe that it is 25 years since you were married but it must be true. There have been good times and hard times. In the early years we lived close by and saw you more often than has been possible since we moved to Wellington. You have raised (and are still raising with one) four great children who we are proud to have as nephews and nieces and we are grateful to you for them.
17. And there is so much more to be thankful for! Best wishes for the next 25 years. May they be full of blessings from God, from and for each other, and the people you encounter. We’re looking forward to celebrating your golden wedding anniversary with you. Love from Delwyn & Graham
18. Kathy and Ian, Our love and congratulations to you both on your 25th wedding anniversary. We pray that God will bless you with many more years together and bless you as you continue to show God’s love to others. Much love and have a wonderful day. Elaine and Ken
19. Ian and Kathy, Heartfelt congratulations on your silver wedding anniversary. I’ve always enjoyed being welcomed into the Viney family by you both. Watching your children grow and succeed, you must definitely be doing something right - the next 25 years will be of interest too! Gary Chisholm
20. To Ian and Kathy, Congratulations to you both on your twenty-fifth anniversary! Please can you let us know if there is life the other side of a silver wedding anniversary, as we reach the same milestone on the 13th April ? With very best wishes to you both, Simon, Sarah, Rebecca and Hannah Cobb
21. Ian, It seems like only a few years ago (actually it must have been 10 or 11 years) that you saw my shiny ring and give me some advice for a happy marriage. It would seem that you could not only give good advice but you have been able to live by the advice you gave. May your silver anniversary remind you of the shared special happiness life gives to a few. Congratulations on your quarter century together! David, Rachel and the Baird Family.
22. Dear Ian and Kathy, When I think of our friendship I have decided you were placed in my life to be my ‘Guardian Angels.’ (Sort of!) You were here for me when I moved into Addington and even warmed the house! You came running and looked after me, Kathy, when I trapped my finger in a car door. You Ian took me to hospital; visited and cheered me up when I was ensconced there; brought me home at the other end always with a willing smile and an attitude which made me think you really did not mind. What transport of delight you provided me. Kathy we have laughed and cried together as we shared our prayers. You both entered my ‘pit of computer confusion’ and pulled me out of its depths.
23. You have provided me with a ‘refuge of culinary splendour’ during the numerous times I have eaten in your home. And as for ‘UpWords’! What can I say other than you need more practice, Ian. Seriously though, I am very grateful for your friendship. May this verse be an inspiration for you both, as you have been for me. God said, ‘See I am sending an angel ahead of you to guard you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared’. (He actually said that to Moses but I believe He would say that to you two today as you head towards another chapter in your lives together.) So Ian and Kathy, trust Him for the journey, but please continue to function as two of my guardian angels. Blessings, Joan
24. Dear Kathy and Ian, You guys are doing really well clocking up 25 years of married life. We think it is very special in this day and age to clock up so many years with the same person – a great example guys. We wish you many more happy years together with the added joy of being grandparents one day. Life changes again then! Our very best wishes and congratulations, Maewyn and Ken Moore
25. Ian & Kathy, You two have always been an inspiration. Thanks! Spring Webb
26. Dear Ian and Kathy, Congratulations!! You and all your family are an inspiration to us.25 years is a wonderful milestone. Best wishes for a fantastic anniversary. Lots of love, Steve and Juan Withington
27. My real Viney family moment was having dinner with you all at your old house and then beating all of you at Trivial Pursuit – no mean feat against the Viney family! Of Ian I can say, “a bloody nice bloke, who has always been honest and open with me and whose friendship I value. If he is half as good a family man as he is a work colleague and friend then he is truly great indeed and I wish him and Kathy all the best of happiness and family joy for the next 25 years and beyond. At Trimble Ian is known as a guy who has strong convictions and beliefs - and sticks by them – and he can argue cogently and persuasively in their defense, so, unless you are “well-armed” intellectually, don’t take him on! Ian and Kathy – Congratulations on reaching 25 years – from 2 people who are about to reach 33, and all our very best wishes for the next 25 years. Dennis & Julie Lewis
28. Ian & Kathy, Congratulations on attaining your silver wedding anniversary. Ever onward and upward! Alan & Alyth Townsend
29. Ian and Kathy, Welcome to the 25 years married club which we joined 5 weeks before you. May your next 25 be just as special and may your experience encourage you to take more risks leaving your lives well spent at the finish line. Freedom Annie & Kerry
30. Kathy and Ian, 25 years is a fantastic milestone. Congratulations. I recall working at Datacom when you both got married; it was such an exciting time for you both. I also remember the birth of the twins. I left Datacom soon after that so lost track of you and your family for a while. But when I returned to Trimble almost 8 years ago, I was pleased to find Ian still with the company (but incredibly annoyed that you hadn't appeared to age at all; life can be so unfair!) and so I caught up on what you and the family were up to. 25 years of marriage is definitely worth celebrating. No doubt you have some amazing memories from the past 25 years; memories that will be fun to look back and reminisce on. But I know you'll be looking forward to many more years of fun times ahead; more memories to add to your story. Enjoy your celebrations. Love from Deborah Godman
31. Ian & Kathy, Congratulations - keep the flame burning for another 25! Love, Pete Matthewson
32. Ian and Kathy, Warmest congratulations and best wishes for your silver wedding anniversary. We have fond memories of the Viney family. Michael and Barbara Beckingham
33. Ian and Kathy, Congratulations on your silver wedding anniversary. As I have mentioned before, you and your family are an inspiration and I hope we will be able to follow your example and see our children grow into great young people like yours have. Wishing you the very best for the next 25, 50 or more years of marriage! Christelle, Régis, Noémie,Eloïse, Yohann & Emeric
34. Hi Kathy and Ian, Congratulations on your silver wedding anniversary. Twenty five years married is a special milestone these days and one not to be taken lightly. Congratulations on being an example of Christian marriage to your children and all their friends. Congratulations on being a great example of marriage to those around you. Congratulations for your years of faithfulness to each other and to our Lord. We have really appreciated your years of service to our community at Spreydon, at Addington, and at Easter Camp.
35. May the Lord continue to bless and keep you; may He continue to be your strength and guide, giving you wisdom and courage in all the years ahead. Love, Marj and Murray Robertson
36. Congratulations Ian and Kathy! We received the request for a photo while aboard the Saga Ruby, currently off north Queensland. So it's modern technology to the rescue, the best we could do before the deadline was to pop up on deck and have this taken against a backdrop of steamy Cairns, then hop off and email it with this very brief message. It seems beyond belief that you folks have been married for 25 idyllic years. Like so many events, it seems like yesterday. It's even harder to believe we have known Ian since he was two years old! No wonder we feel almost family among the Vineys. We always love seeing you and greatly enjoyed the privilege of being at Nicola's wedding in December. Always drop in at Doctor's Point – you are most welcome. With love and our best wishesfor the next 25 years, Clive and Jeanette
37. Dear Kathy and Ian Congratulations on your 25 years of marriage – it seems just yesterday that you got engaged and married, back in the Datacom days – but of course it’s 25 years! It’s amazing how our paths have crossed several times over those years, and that we are still working for the same company. Hope you celebrate in style – it’s a wonderful milestone – that many don’t achieve these days. Keep smiling, have fun, and look after each other. Corinne Haines
38. Congratulations to you Ian and Kathy, 25 years of wedded bliss - a great achievement! Best regards, Andy, Madeleine, Robyn andCatherine Bowes Ian & Kathy, Our very best wishes for your silver anniversary. Bill, Trish & Andrew Lightfoot
39. "Coming together is the beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.” - Henry Ford Congratulations on a very successful 25 years. May the coming years be even more successful. Russell & Nancy, Nathan & Stephen Jarrott
40. We want to wish you a happy 25th Kathy and Ian, and send you our very special greetings from Chengdu, China. What a blessing to have enjoyed 25 years of marriage. Enjoy your special celebration and may you continue to revel in all the Lord has for you together from now on. With all our love and blessings, Andrew, Jan, Laura, Jonathan and Olivia Bovey
41. With love and congratulations from the Roberts family
42. Ian and Kathy - we've known you now for 13 years. We've actually only seen Ian in person, but we feel like we know your whole family. We met under unusual circumstances when our son, Craig, (pictured in the Illinois T-shirt) was in 4th grade and had an assignment to send his Teddy Bear around the World. I worked with Craig Koehrsen at the time and begged him to take the bear with him to New Zealand. You guys offered that we could email you to find out how the teddy bear was doing. Then, the next time Ian was in town for business, he had dinner with us and told us all about New Zealand. We have treasured your friendship from afar and enjoy having Ian eat dinner with us when in town. We've enjoyed pictures of your growing up (the really old photos we saw on one visit), relatives, trips and ... yes I think you even showed us some of your wedding pictures. Facebook has given a new dimension to knowing your family.
43. We wish you the best and hope that at some point in time that we will meet the rest of your family, especially Kathy in person. Enjoy your silver wedding anniversary and we wish you many more! The Smiths: Mike, Carol, Kyle,Craig and Keri (and Carmel...the dog)
44. Hi Ian and Kathy Congratulations on your 25th wedding anniversary. Your commitment to each other and to your family is worthy of celebration. May God continue to bless your marriage as you continue to honour Him. Paul, Jocelyn, Daniel and Anna Redmond
45. Ian & Kathy, Congratulations to you both. Just remember it is downhill from here on!! But don't get too upset about that!! Have a great family time. We'll certainly be thinking of you all. There must be a big birthday coming up soon also isn't there? Bless you both heaps, Noeleen and John Richardson.
46. Dear Ian and Kathy, Congratulations on 25 wonderful years of marriage! I first met you as parents of Nicola, when I became her leader at youth group. I am so impressed by the daughter you have raised - an intelligent, humble, self-assured young woman with a Christian faith she owns and lives out as her own. It has been wonderful to get to know you both; to have met Laura, Richard, and Jonathan; and to have met Nicola's grandparents. Nicola clearly follows a pattern that is repeated throughout generations of your family!! I have enjoyed seeing how supportive your family is of each other - in individual pursuits and shared interests. I can very much see the example you set for your family in these areas, as I have seen you support each other and work together as a couple over the years.
47. The Viney-Family-Database-Creating-Machine is something to be seen to be believed... I have had the good fortune to see your teamwork in action, even operating nationally and internationally!! Thank you for the good example your marriage gives us - for those of us who are married and those of us who are not married yet! I look forward to congratulating you after a further 25 years! Much love, Kate Divett
48. Rememberings of a Nomad MacGregors Road: delicious frittata in the days of the Twins Club. Andybrae Lane: a very special prayer meeting before I left for France. Ian prayed that I would see the minute steps forward as language learning progressed. How grateful I was for that prayer and God’s answers. Very cute kids. Newbridge Place: arriving one day to see homeschooling in action. Rugby was a passion. Gratitude to Kathy for typesetting my newsletters and for storing ‘stuff’ while I was ‘in other spots’!.
49. Spencer St: blessed to be in on a family dinner or two. Children magically all grown up! Nicola marries Simon and the circle of life takes another turn. Richard and Jonny find their ‘voice’ and Laura introduces me to Skype. Cafés: woven through these houses are significant times of ‘coffeeing’ with Kathy as I passed through and our paths crossed in ways that counted. Time has flown. Congratulations at this milestone. Thanks to God for all that was, that is and that will be. Chris Cullen
50. Ian & Kathy, Well done on hitting the 25 year milestone – an excellent effort! You should just be starting to know one another a bit better now . That is great role-modelling to your kids and to the people around you. Enjoy the day and the year. It’s worth really celebrating. Congrats from us all. Love, Glen, Ann-Marie, Aislinn,Louis, Babette & Jerome Morris
51. Ian & Kathy, Congratulations on still being there after 25 years! Must be something special in your relationship. Keep it going. Love and best thoughts, Phillip, Bronwyn, Sarah & Jono,Mark & Naomi Haussmann
52. Dearest Kathy and Ian, Well, I am most impressed with your respectable number of married years now. You guys are definitely on my list of 'people I want to be like when I grow up a bit more'. It's been great living with you both over the past few weeks and now with the insight I have into your marriage I can quite safely say that marriage doesn't look that bad after all. So well done, congratulations and all that. You guys have stuck at it and continued to challenge yourselves with new and interesting situations even into your 25th year of marriage. You opened your home to all of us crazies and for that I thank you.
53. You guys really are a great role model to so many of us all. I trust that the next 25 years will prove to be just as fulfilling, challenging, fun, and full of spa pools and good times!! Bring it on! Love, Shauna
54. Congrats Ian and Kathy on 25 years. It's good to have devious children to spring surprises and keep life interesting . Sue, Neil, Bekki and Matt Breen
55. Dear Ian and Kathy, Wishing you a very joyful 25th wedding anniversary! You must have got married very young! – are you sure it was legal? You have certainly packed a lot into those 25 years together. We look forward to hearing and seeing what is in store for the next 25! Love and God bless, Mark and Briarne Oldham
56. Congratulations for the first 25 years, and may God bless you and keep you both as you continue on your journey through life together! Paul & Ros,Ivy, Luke, Peter & Kyra
57. Hi Ian and Kathy, Congratulations on your silver wedding anniversary. You've achieved a whole lot in the last 25 years and no doubt will go on to do a whole lot more! We've been particularly impressed with the way you've been prepared to embrace radical lifestyle changes and make them work. It shows a level of faith and maturity that’s a real example to others. Lots of love, Alison and Lyall (+ grandchildren)
58. Ian & Kathy – Congratulations! 25 years! Surely it can’t be that long ago since I looked after Richard and Jonathan as babies so you could go out for the evening? I guess you must still be making time for each other to have reached this milestone. Keep up the good work. We have always enjoyed your friendship and wish you all the best. Blessings! Nigel, Charmayne, Timothy, Jordan, Shiloh, and Krista
59. Dear Ian and Kathy, My last 2 trips to NZ, our family weekend in San Francisco, and your more recent trip to my place in August 2009 are the few memories I have of you. But whenever I think of them they always make me smile... I wish you every blessing in the onward journey of your married life and look forward to more special times shared with you in the future. Much love and prayers, XOX Michelle
60. Hi Ian and Kathy, Congratulations on your 25th wedding anniversary. We trust after the next 25 years you will be as happy together as you obviously are now. All our good wishes and may you know the blessing of God on you as a couple as you continue to entrust your lives to Him. With much love, Wayne and Julie
61. I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Ian and Kathy on the celebration of their 25th wedding anniversary (if that can be believed!!) and recall some scintillating discussions (mainly Creation Science) together, the likes of which I haven't enjoyed for a quite a while!! Also they must be very proud of their wonderful children, all of whom I would love to catch up with sometime soon. Best regards, blessings and love, Judy Phillips
62. Dear Kathy and Ian, Big congratulations on your 25th anniversary! It was my privilege to meet you both, and Laura, in Queenstown a few years ago. Your commitment to Christ, and family (His and yours... not mutually exclusive!) are both an inspiration and encouragement to others. Thank you for sharing your lives with Rudy and me. You are a wonderful couple, and you deserve many more years of happiness together! We hope and pray that your next 25 years together will be full of love, happiness and adventure. God bless you both, Love from Mirren & Rudy
63. 25th Wedding Anniversary, Wow! Congratulations you guys. It’s been an absolute pleasure journeying close with you two over the last few years. You have taught us so much and we’ve shared many great experiences. Thank you so much for your friendship and we hope what we’ve shared so far is just the tip of the iceberg. God bless, Brendan, Lyn, Chloe and Finn
64. We remember your wedding day well. It was a privilege to be there. May God continue to bless you in the years ahead. Love, Jeff and Verna It was great being page boy for you. It was an exciting day for me. Can't believe it was 25 years ago! We are still living in Canada but are hoping to return to New Zealand this year to live. It would be nice to catch up. Love Hamish, Marie, Diezel and Brielle
65. Dear Ian and Kathy, Congratulations on your silver wedding anniversary! What an awesome event it is! We have loved getting to know you both better living in community together and travelling with you to India, Aussie (just Kathy that time) and then the UK. We have seen how you both love and care for each other in everyday life. You are a great example to us of how your marriage sustains your love for each other. We hope you enjoy your 25th year of marriage and the many many more to come. God bless, Ally and Age
66. Dear Ian and Kathy, Congratulations and happy 25th wedding anniversary! It was lovely to see you recently in NZ and also very special to be present at Nicola and Simon's wedding. Nothing highlights the passing years as much as 'children' getting older! I (Jane) have such great memories of times spent together and significant occasions shared. All the best for the next 25 years and we'll look forward to the next shared meals or conversations, wherever and whenever they might occur! Lots of love, Jane and Andrew
67. Kathy and Ian, It seems hard to believe that 25 years have passed since we were all decked out in our finery on your wedding day. Rebecca has just gone flatting and it has reminded me again of the incredibly good times Kathy, Nicola and I had at Leonard Place. I remember it as a time of much laughter and fun and my flatmates (along with Ian who was such a regular visitor) made a huge contribution to that. Distance has made our communication with each other more infrequent. I am however confident that if either of us needed help from the other that it would be provided. That is nice to know. Malcolm and I congratulate you on reaching this milestone and wish you all the best for your next 25 years. Karen and Malcolm
68. Congratulations Ian & Kathy! Your friendship and love for each other is a true inspiration. Thank you for being such a valued part of my life. And just think, it’s taken 25 years to get each other trained this far, imagine the perfection by the time we’re celebrating your 50th !!!! Much love, Celia
69. A happy 25th wedding anniversary to Ian & Kathy Viney! To this day I treasure my partnership with the Vineys which was contributory to my successful study for a Master of Arts in Journalism at UC. My life in New Zealand was enriched through my wonderful experiences with the Viney family. The accommodation and unconditional acceptance they have shown to me will forever prove significant in my lifetime! Wish you celebrate more 25ths and perhaps I will be there with you next time as you celebrate such a milestone. Thank you for your friendship! Ricky Abalena
70. Good work on 25 years guys! Heck of a long time when you think about it. We’ve been stoked to be around you for the last 9 or so of them. It’s been a varied journey, from trying to get Kathy fired from CYS on our first meeting to now living together in the same community. We feel really privileged to have done this chapter of the journey with you and your family and are looking forward to the next one! The quality of your 25 years together is evident by your life. You’ve got four great kids, (not that any of them are kids anymore), great jobs, (well, at least half of one), a nice house, (if only you could get rid of the other 9 people there), and shares in a great business, (shame it doesn’t pay dividends). Crazy how life works out eh.
71. There are so many things we could write about you guys that make you the special individuals, couple, and family you are. For us the memorable things have probably been the little things that we have witnessed or been recipients of. Your care and concern for our family, your generosity with your time and money, remembering special things that others often forget, and your kind words and deeds just at the moment that we really needed them. You are very special people in our lives and we are very grateful for all you are and all you have done. But perhaps the thing that impresses us most is that even at your age, (let’s face it, you can’t be married for 25 years and still be young), you are still willing to learn, be challenged, and to grow when you need to. That’s gutsy! So we look forward to the next chapter with anticipation of how God will use two of his willing students. Love from Ants & Sandy
72. Dear Ian & Kathy, Congratulations on your very special 25th anniversary. I am so grateful God brought us together so many years ago. There are few people who enter our lives and truly make a meaningful impact on our souls. The two of you have made that difference in my life, and even though we have been separated for a long time, I still feel a deep camaraderie with you and cherish the time we served together. How fun it was when you came to visit us at the beach in California! It was as if no time had passed and the visit just picked up where we had last left each other. I so appreciate your passion for the world of missions and it filled my soul to share with each other what only those who have been out on missions can understand.
73. I love your zest for living every day to the fullest and appreciating all the family and friends that God has filled your life with. You model to all around you that relationships are the most important thing in life, and we are all encouraged to do the same! Thank you for your encouragement, your friendship, your laughter, your tears, and the way you choose to live life… I pray that your legacy continues to impact many around you, and that my legacy will continue to be a reflection of what you have contributed to my life. I am but one stone among the many that line the path of your journey… I love you and expect to visit you one day in New Zealand, Linda Jackson
74. Dear Ian and Kathy Congratulations on your silver wedding. You don’t look old enough for this celebration and we wish you many, many more happy years! Love from Anne, Kilado, Luke and Caitlin Newmark
75. Dear Ian and Kathy, If the happiness we've experienced in our first 12 months is anything to go by, then we imagine you must be 25 times as happy as we are! Many congratulations and best wishes for the next 25 years. With love from Benjamin & Anna
76. Dearest Ian and Kathy, Congratulations on your wedding anniversary and making it this far!! It's always good knowing people who have a marriage that has lasted for as long as you guys. Very encouraging for those of us not yet married. So, even though your marriage isn't for us, thanks! I love that I got to live with you guys when I did and be part of the family. I love you guys! I felt at home from day one which was wonderful and a testament to you all. (Even your extended families made me feel part of the family, very cool.) I hope to have a marriage like that one day.
77. Thanks for 'taking me in' when you did. Like I've said MANY times it really was just what I needed and a real life saver. My, how things change with a bit of space and time and TLC. Thanks for being such good friends, for loving me and my family, for the advice, chats, laughs, trips away ... for letting me cry in front of you and cook for you!! It’s wonderful knowing you both and I look forward to many more years of friendship. Maybe in 25 years I will be writing a similar letter for your 50th anniversary. (I wonder where we'll all be then?) Much love, prayers and blessings, Leis (and Maurice, Nola, Luke and Renée)
78. Congratulations to you both on your 25th wedding anniversary. I admire you both very much. Much love, Linda
79. Ian & Kathy, Congratulations on reaching such a wonderful milestone! You and your family are very special to me and will always be held close to my heart. May God richly bless your next 25 years together. Much love, Bruce
80. 2 THE REAL MOMA & POPA OF MINE NOT THE CRAZY 1Z RUNNING AROUND CLAIMING THAT THEY ARE. YET AGAIN THANKS 4 TAKING ME IN & TREATING ME AS I AM 1 OF YOUR OWN. I WOULD EITHER BE DEAD OR LOCKED UP WITHOUT YOU. I KNOW THAT IM NOT THE BEST PERSON 2 BE ROUND OR LIVE WITH IN FACT I THINK I COME ACROSS AS THE WORST BUT AS HARD AS IT IS 2 BELIEVE I AM TRYING MY BEST.
81. I DO ADMIT THOUGH I STILL GET SCARED THAT THERE WILL COME A TIME THAT YOU WILL TELL ME 2 LEAVE & THINGS WILL BE BACK THE WAY THEY ARE B4 THIS NEW LIFE. I WISH THAT I COULD LEARN FASTER NOT 2 GET ANGRY ALL OF THE TIME BUT IM A SLOW LEARNER @ THAT & I H8 MYSELF BECAUSE OF THAT. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 25 ANNIVERSARY. YOU DEFINITLY BOTH HAVE MY BLESSINGS SINCE YOUS CAN BE SO DETERMINED & COMMITTED @ MAKING IT WORK & ME @ THE SAME TIME. ME ALONE IS A TERROR. YOURS SINCERELY WITH LOTS OF LOVE NIKEE
82. I just want to say I think you guys are wonderful, wonderful, wonderful! You are an awesome couple and have been a great influence in my life. Thank you for being you, it may not seem like a lot at times but it has meant a lot to me over the years. Love you both heaps and well done on 25 years!!!!!! Adam
83. Dear Ian and Kathy, Congratulation on this wonderful occasion. If I ever manage to convince anyone to marry me I hope you don’t mind me using your marriage as an example of one to draw much good knowledge from. ☺ Lots of Love, Bally
84. WOW! Twenty five years! Congratulations Ian and Kathy! The older I’m getting the more I realise how much hard work marriage will be – so big ups to you guys! I love how welcoming you are, how you always make me feel at ease, and how you both make an effort to talk to me. Thanks guys, all the best! Love, Liss Harrington :-)
85. Kia ora! Congratulations guys … 25 years is an amazing effort, and I have so much respect for you, both individually and as a couple. I find it incredible that even after 25 years, you choose to neglect the ‘quiet life’ (that you perhaps deserve) and instead spend your days taking on new and crazy challenges and situations. Living with you has been a brilliant time to learn how to love and be loved… And I look forward (mostly) to 9 more months! All the best, and congratulations once again. Tess
86. Congratulations, it is a privilege to be living with you guys as you pass this milestone! I have really enjoyed getting to know you over the last few years. I think you guys are amazing to have gone through such a change of lifestyle as a married couple, moving into Addington, then living with 9 adults and a crying baby, again! Much love, Caleb Well done! You are such an inspiration to all of us. Thank you for sharing yourselves, your family life, energy and resources so generously with us all. You are such an example of how it is possible to live radically through all stages of life. Thanks for loving others well. May the next 25 years be even more exciting and fulfilling! XO, Catherine
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88. Congratulations on your silver wedding anniversary. We can't believe it is 25 years since your wedding! We have really enjoyed your friendship over the last 25 years. We have appreciated in particular your trailblazing support and advice as our children grew up -- we think we were very clever to have our first two children "on the heels" of your boys and Nicola. Being able to watch and learn from you guys as you brought up your children has been amazing. Our family also has very fond memories of rugby nights at the Vineys! Thanks for your hospitality and providing us with those wonderful memories. The picture opposite is of all our family attending church together on holiday at Christmas. Wouldn't have guessed that would happen 25 years ago -- suspect you had a hand in that too! Anyway here's to the next 25 years! With best wishes, Steuart and Sharyn
89.
90. Dear Ian & Kathy, They say that marriage requires commitment. So does insanity . It hardly seems possible that you’ve been married 25 years. You don’t look a day over 30! (OK, maybe 40…) It also hardly seems possible that one of us has known you for 20 of those 25 years!! Congratulations on reaching this milestone with all (or most of) your faculties intact. We look forward to celebrating with you in another 25! Much love, KT-John (& Lucy, Daniel & William) xxxxx
91. Dear Ian and Kathy, CONGRATULATIONS on your silver wedding anniversary! We were not at your wedding, or at indeed any of your “special days”, but we hold you dear in our hearts from the other side of the world. May our Lord continue to bless you in your marriage and in your work for Him, and may your lives together bring glory to His name. With lots of love, Allan, Jill, Lisa, Mark, Daniel and Anna
92. The sequel to this edition is scheduled for release in early 2035. ~~~~~~~~~~ Stay tuned.
