Our Golden Anniversary (January 14, 2014) Shoot, Shes Always Been Golden! :-) Fifty years ago! My mind still cant conceive of it, has it really been that long? Oh, goodness no, we are not alone, not by a long shot. Brother John and Sharon are going on 53 years now, and I clearly recall their wedding. A little envious, but then.....Kay and I really were too young in 1961. Others too, either already there, or reaching very near. We know of a few. Our controversial decision to elope, bringing John and Sharon (and a few others) into our adventure to endure the resulting fire-storm right along with us. All of us shocked at her familys behavior, the resulting hard feelings that would last for nearly a year, the holiday season granting us the rest of that healing process. We would understand it later, hurting Moms feelings, our big secret a major offense to her. Kay was still a senior in HS too.....another factor. Why couldnt the two of you have waited at least until Summer? The fire and passion between us.....thats why, at least the greater part of it. Our desire to make it legal, socially acceptable. We adored each other, what more is there to say? We were determined to get married. Too young?.....well we shot that theory out of the water in due time too. Even though we were just 20 and 18, our relationship had already been tested and tried. We couldnt even imagine being apart, the way we felt about each other. Her determination, especially, would only fortify my own, her love for me unquestioned. Even mother nature would try her best to thwart our plans. We just starred her in the face.....waited as she calmed down a bit, a measly snow storm? Na, that aint happening! (smile) Our marriage license in hand.....we entered that Cumberland, MD Courthouse that early afternoon, Tuesday, January 14, 1964. Kind of fitting, our 50th anniversary also falls on the same day of the week! We nixed the idea of a Justice of the Peace or a sitting Judge in favor of a Christian Minister. We inquired.....and were given the name and address of a retired Wesleyan Methodist Preacher. A clerk would even call for us, an immediate appointment.....Tell them to come right over. Comforting.....the affirmation.. all is going smoothly, without the slightest hitch! :-) Just as Ive written...Pastor Wakeman pulled a pocket watch from his vest, revealed the dial as he pronounced us Husband and Wife. It was 3:17 pm. A rather nice touch.....we thought. Already feeling secure with each other, experiencing those prior years, little would change immediately for us. We would only finalize our desires, our thoughts, and our commitment to one another, Till Death Do Us Part, the most critical of those vows. We took them all very seriously, recalling them frequently. Though apprehensive, even some nervousness as it all came down, our journey toward home, and what had just happened between us, gave each of us a feeling of relief and completion. We were actually married now, accountable only to each other. Parental supervision and restriction would be neutralized. I would not have to go home, not ever again. We would now be permitted to go home......together, actually celebrating our freedom, the reality of this union.....to be completely who we were meant to be for each other. It was a pretty nice feeling too! :-) Finally reaching their home, Martins Ferry, hugs all around. John and Sharon stood strong....and stood up, the only real witnesses to Our Great Adventure. They were there to provide us food and shelter....encouragement too, as well as a hiding place. (grin) It would have been very difficult without them....so....failure of our marriage could not have been an option. I would have gotten my butt kicked, after all we put them through. :-) They must now share with us a generous portion of our success.....the role they played.....finally helping us to the starting line. :-) The four of us parted that late evening.....Kay and I retiring, our pre-arranged love cave, following in the tradition of all previously known newlyweds! (grin) It was freezing cold then too, though we wouldnt notice it so much, all snug and warm in our den.....still remnants of the snow outside, crunching beneath our feet. A phone call very necessary....to let her momma know we were safely home......and now...(finally), Husband and Wife! She had a brand new son-in-law, like it or not! :-) That conversation would insure...there would be no lasting rift between us and her family. Healing would begin, progressing through those spring and summer months, until finally.....toward the fall of that year, 1964.....thanksgiving was a full and wonderful family event.....and I was being called Robbie once more. There couldnt have been a happier couple alive anywhere. Lots of love and laughter, our first married Christmas together, family, gifts round the tree, good food, bellies full, hearts too. We were meant to be together, and....thats all there is to say bout that! :-) So proud of her.... not only the way she looked, but the way she looked at ME! At 18-21.....she had all of her youthful appearance......her grace, her beauty, oh my goodness! Her presence left me short changed......lacking the ability to even breathe properly, for heavens sake. (grin) Seriously, it was her only goal, those earliest years, to keep me under her spell. She was totally aware, already knew just how to deal with me, and now....she had the license and freedom! I submitted without hesitation while walking through this certain dream-land. This petite little lady was all mine, and I considered myself the luckiest young man alive! :-) Probably over protective, but without stifling, why yes.....I would see other men looking at her. Eat your heart out, stupid....shes all mine! (grin) Shed get so tickled with me.....her confidence growing. She can still take my breath away.....and she still gets tickled, but good Lord......my sweet baby is now 69, and me....well, Im 71. What in the world has just happened here? Internally, we knew, yet, unaware of lifes circumstances, just where this road would lead us, we lived only one day at a time. Our concern for the future, almost non-existent, our planning, not too serious. We loved life, adjusted to its surprises as best we could, giving way to those things out of our control. Never with any amount of hysteria, (except for my overseas jaunt while in the military) we calmly faced it all. Both of us, good natured, easy going, minus vengeful attitudes, absolutely no guile. Differences between us, always easily overcome, compromise the rule. Frankly, I let her decide most things, while standing firmly only if I recognized certain peril. We talked many things through....major decisions we decided together. There was always peace between us, and in our household, while we will still laugh together abundantly. She always loved to tease me, and I never expressed any objections, not even once! Fact of the matter is, I would encourage her! She would always eagerly oblige! (grin) She built her reputation with me rather quickly, I knew who she was, and definitely knew how to treat her. We were both good for, and to each other.....in every way....and we still honor the Golden Rule.......even more so, now that we have reached our Golden Years. :-) Kay is still my greatest joy, my very best friend and constant companion. I just cant imagine life without her. I will dismiss it as impossible, the Lord in His wisdom, allowing us to depart this life.....together. Shes always been my sweet baby.....and just saying it will still bring a smile. Oh, how I will always love it ......just to see her smile! :-) bob
Posted on: Tue, 08 Jul 2014 03:11:25 +0000