This past Saturday was the 23rd anniversary of the date that Dianna and I got engaged! Each year, we take a moment to celebrate together and remember the day that I asked her to marry me and she said, “yes!”

Each year, I remember the day I got baptized as a child, and I celebrate its significance to my life with God ever since.

Of course, the big dates are important to remember and celebrate with people, too: dates like birthdays, wedding anniversaries, Mother’s Day / Father’s Day, etc. But so are the lesser-known dates as well. These more personalized dates are sometimes even more significant to the people who experienced them than the “bigger” dates that most people think of to celebrate or honor.

For instance, my Dad was very close with his Dad, and every year I try to remember to call my Dad on the anniversary of his Dad’s death – just to let him know that I know that is a significant anniversary for him, and to let him know that I’m thinking of him.

Each year, I remember the days that our two miscarried sons were “born.” (Well, one of them was born and died 17 minutes later; the other, sadly, had already died before he was born.) These are personally significant anniversaries for me, and it means a lot to me when someone contacts me on those days and lets me know they are thinking of me.

On the brighter side, Dianna and I also remember each year the anniversaries of our first date, and of our first kiss! And sometimes we will leave a note or give a small gift, just to remember and celebrate our shared memories of those special dates together.

So, of course, it’s important to remember and celebrate the bigger dates with people, like birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Day, etc. But it will also mean a great deal to your loved ones to give them a call or to send them a text or write them a note when you know they may be commemorating a lesser-known anniversary of significance in their life.