These are my parents.
Danny Lynn Koch- Son to Russell and Betti Koch. Youngest of four siblings; Shirley Koch Duff, Gary Koch, and Randy Koch. Bachelors in Agriculture from Mizzou. Masters in Curriculum and Education (with an emphasis in American History) from Drury. Occupations: researcher in Mizzou’s Ag Department (primarily worked in Horticulture), bus driver, long-term sub, vending machine technician, dairy farmer, (currently) employee of Juvenile Detention Services in St. Louis.
Opal Daraline Grogan Koch- Daughter to Noble and Betsy Grogan. Youngest of three siblings; Roger Dale Grogan (25 years older), Danny Dean Grogan (18 years older). A few agriculture classes in college and Dental Assistant Certification. Occupations: cashier, day-care provider, research assistant, secretary, dental assistant.
My parents are those parents.
Don’t know what I mean? They’re the parents that everyone says they wish were theirs. When I was a teen all my friends loved my parents. They’re a little wild, not afraid to have fun or crack a joke, stern but fair, honest, hardworking, willing to give anyone the shirt off their back (even if it’s the only one they had) if you need help, openly loving and affectionate, intelligent, supportive. (I could keep going but that’s a really long sentence already.)
My parents met in high school on the school bus. They dated for a couple of years. Most of those dates being to church or youth group events (my Mom’s parents were pretty old school). They got engaged when my mom was a Junior. They were married before my mom finished High School. Between that time and today they’ve had more than their fair share of surprises. Making that commitment as teenagers I find it amazing they stuck with it (I remember what it was like to be 17 and 19. I was pretty responsible but I would have had a difficult time being newly married, in college/high school, with a kid.)
As of today, my parents have been married for 40 years. You know why? If you ask them their answer is the same every year on their anniversary.
Dad says, “she’s my best friend.”
Mom says, “even on the days he drives me nuts, he’s my best friend.”
My friends over the years are right. They’re exactly the parents you want to have.
Happy anniversary pa and ma-joe!
KochnUaSlice 
I love this very much! It makes my heart so happy for them and for you! My parents 58 years, my mom would have been 20 and my dad 22 so they were just a smidge older, but I do admire them and am so proud of them and those that can make their marriages last forever…as best friends!! Thanks for sharing!
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