Thirty-Nine Years and Counting

December 27, 1972. Rehearsal Dinner. The groom was so nervous that he could not enjoy the meal.

December 28, 1972, early afternoon: The bride drove by the tux shop and saw the groom - gunned her Mustang so that the groom didn't see her - the old legend says that the groom is not to see the bride before the wedding (that certainly has gone the way of the dinosaur since most pictures are now taken before the ceremony).

December 28, 1972, 6:00 p.m. - The florist messed up and didn't send the boutonnieres, nor the bouquet intended for the bride to throw. The boutonnieres arrived just in time, the extra bouquet never did arrive.

December 28, 1972, 7:00 p.m. - The wedding began. The bride had wanted the two of them to sing to each other. The groom said he didn't think he could do that. It's a good thing he knew himself that well, judging by the rehearsal dinner situation (above). The groom's sister sang, "We've Only Just Begun," by the Carpenters. The groom's parents later sang "Together Forever," from the musical "I Do, I Do." The bride and groom exchanged vows that had been written especially for them by the bride's sister. The prayer song was "Saviour, Like a Shepherd Lead Us," again by the groom's sister. The bride and groom prayed separately - the groom's prayer almost had the bride in tears. The final song was "All Our Lives," also by the groom's sister. Can you tell that music plays a big part in the lives of this couple??

Both pastor fathers performed the ceremony and they presented a copy of "The Living Bible" to the couple.




The church was decorated with white flocked trees, white lights, and blue satin balls (did anyone notice the oversight on the bride's part - some sort of skirt under the trees would have been nice!) The church building had been sold, but the new building had experienced many delays and was not finished. The pews had been sold to a small church in Denver. For some reason the bride's father, the pastor of the church, let the members of the little church come and pick up the pews BEFORE the wedding! As long as the lights were out and the candles glowing, it looked okay. But those folding chairs looked a little less than elegant when the lights came on!

The honeymoon was to be in the Grand Canyon and vicinity.

Just before the wedding, a storm blew in, which came from that direction. The travel agent encouraged the groom to change plans and not head into that situation. The first two nights were in Estes Park, until the groom developed a sinus infection!




The couple headed down the mountain to see the doctor. While he was out getting checked over and medicated, the bride spent the time at the new apartment, opening gifts, hanging pictures, and generally making it habitable. The groom came back with an entirely new plan - stay home until after New Year's Day, then fly to California to Disneyland, Knotts' Berry Farm, and the Japanese Village. The couple had family over on New Year's Day to watch football and "dine" on Tuna Touchdown Casserole, in honor of the theme of the day.

The couple expected to bask in the warmth of California, but it was in the 60s. They froze! But considering that there was a huge storm back home, they felt blessed. Because of the weather, it was as though everyone cleared the streets for this couple to be alone on their honeymoon. It was glorious.




The years have brought many adventures, mountain peaks and deep valleys. God has always been there, by their sides and in their lives.