I think I may have had Coca-Cola poured into my bottle as an infant. No, not really, but it was a family staple and please don’t judge my parents for it. We all loved it and we all still love it, though in the various forms it has since taken since 1984 (all various forms save “New Coke” – never really cared for that one much…).

Five years ago my parents celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary. For the math whizzes among you that means they will soon be approaching their 45th and in 5 more years they will have been married for 50. Wowza, that’s a long time. (And thanks for staying married so long, Mom and Dad). Anyway, for their 45th anniversary, we had a Coke Classic theme and I took photos of two Coke bottles to use on the invitation. Here’s the one we ended up using:

Aren’t they cute? Two little Coke bottles in love? I also made cola-scented votive candles. They were red with a diagonal white stripe and I was so proud of those babies. My sister brought all her Coke decor to use for the party:

And then check out this sign my sister had designed just for the event:

Isn’t that awesome? It really is. There is something about that red and white that brings back a need to dig into the past and figure some things out. Whenever I see vintage Coke bottles I long to snatch them all up and do something with them. I have no idea what it is in me that desires to save them all, but I do.

These days we’re more of a Coke Zero drinking family. My kids don’t have as liberal access to it that I did as a kid, but I know it’s just a matter of time because when I drink as much of it as I do and don’t let them do the same…I’m a hypocrite. But I’ll let them grow up a little more before making those choices I’ve modeled so diligently for them all these years (ahem).

Here’s to you, Coke Classic, for being a family staple for me for all these years. And here’s to you, Mom and Dad, for making it another five. I love you and am looking forward to celebrating again in five more.