DEAR ABBY: My husband and I are approaching our 25th wedding anniversary. I think it's quite an accomplishment, since many of the couples we know have called it quits.
I'd like to celebrate with a wedding-themed party with our friends and family, renewing our vows in front of them. In addition, I'd like my girlfriends to wear a bridesmaid dress from a wedding they have been in and stand with me.
My husband thinks a party would be "showing off" and that we should celebrate quietly, just the two of us. I'm surprised we could be married for so long and not be able to come to an agreement about this. How should we celebrate this big day? -- UNDECIDED IN NEW YORK
DEAR UNDECIDED: It's not showing off to renew wedding vows on significant anniversaries -- many people do, and a silver anniversary definitely qualifies. A party would be appropriate, but rather than expect your friends to dig old bridesmaid's dresses out of their closets -- if they even have them -- wouldn't it be more considerate to give them the option of wearing cocktail dresses they feel comfortable in if they wish? Hopefully, most if not all of them are also happily married, and if that's the case, I'm sure your anniversary party won't seem like one-upmanship to anyone.