First anniversary spent apart: couple celebrates 60 years of marriage from a distance

LELAND, NC (WWAY) — Richard and Annie Bryant celebrated 60 years of marriage on Saturday.

“My mom is 80, my dad is 81. For them to be married for 60 years? It’s outstanding,” Alecia Jiribe said.

Their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren came from down the street and as far as Atlanta to honor the two.

But, one thing was missing. Their mom.

A few days before their anniversary, Annie Bryant was admitted to the hospital.

“I know he thought nobody anything by my mom being in the hospital, but it’s not just my mom’s anniversary it’s his as well,” Jiribe said. So we wanted to honor him, never forgetting her, but letting him know that we love you and we haven’t forgotten about you.”

Annie is expected to be okay, but can’t have any visitors because of coronavirus restrictions.

This is the first wedding anniversary the pair has spent apart.

“It’s a little void in my heart, but I know Jesus is still with her. He will not leave her, nor will He forsake her,” Richard Bryant said. “She’s here, she’s here in my heart. She’s here in her children’s, grand’s and great-grand’s hearts.”

Jesus Christ is who Richard Bryant credits all his many blessings, from his wife to the family they have built together.

“If you will try it, that’s the right recipe. All you have to do is put Him in and He’ll do the rest,” he said.

And his children say they are grateful to have such amazing parents.

“For them to stay together even through all the good times, the bad times, the rough times, they still made it work somehow and some way. And still made sure we were good,” Brandon Bryant said.

“God has truly blessed them and truly blessed us. It’s an awesome day,” Darrell Bryant said.

“Our parents taught us that we were going to love one another and not fight, because when we got older we would need one another. We are all the very best of friends,” James Bryant said.

“They created a bond that can never be broken,” Richard Bryant Jr. added.