Para Educator Debby Likes’ eyes lit up and her smile widened as she reflected on the renewal of her wedding vows that took place on Sunday, Aug. 14 for her 40th anniversary. Held in the Monticello United Methodist Church, a place both Debby and her husband Steve consider to be a second home, the couple invited about 100 guests.

“We had a beautiful ceremony, with our family, close friends, and our church family,” Debby said. “One of my favorite parts was when we re-exchanged our rings, reflecting on all we’ve been through together.”

Debby and Steve agreed to have a renewal ceremony mostly because of their youngest daughter Kristen.

“Kristen was the one that first suggested that we should have a renewal ceremony,” Debby said. “Originally Steve thought we should wait until our 50th anniversary, but that had been my parents plan and my dad hadn’t lived that long. My philosophy was that we should celebrate now while we have the chance.”

The ceremony itself included: a detailed slideshow of photos, scriptures read by their daughter, and the renewal of vows.

“Another of my favorite parts was the montage of pictures my daughters put together. It was mine and Steve’s life together from way back when we first met when I was 15 and he was 16 to the present,” Debby said.

The renewal of vows ceremony celebrated their love for each other, showing how the couple stayed together even through the ups and downs of life, such as putting Steve through college and providing for their three children.

“Saying we’re the yin to each other’s yang is an understatement,” Debby said. “But I wouldn’t want it any other way.”