A Special Day


Back in 1967, Joe and I were engaged, and had vague plans about being married in September of that year.  In those days (said the aging person), three or four months were enough to plan a wedding; things weren't as over-the-top lavish complicated as they are now. 

Joe was in his fourth year of college, but since he had transferred from one school to another, he wasn't a senior.  That whole year, the draft board had been harrassing him, and as soon as the year ended, he had to report for his physical.  We both had a pretty good idea of what would happen next.

I was at work when the phone call came.  Joe was calling from the Navy recruiting office, just down the hall from the Army physical examination suite.  He'd been told he'd likely be reporting for duty in a week, going immediately to basic training and then to Vietnam.  The man at the Navy office had offered him a 120-day delay in reporting, Navy boot camp, and then preferred duty as an illustrator-draftsman which more than likely would involve shore duty.  The trade-off was four years of duty rather than the two years that the draft board required.  It seemed a much safer option.  His question to me was, "How quickly can we get married?"

It was a busy three weeks.  He found an apartment.  I found a dress.  Honna found a dress.  A coworker provided a recipe for champagne punch.  Aunts grew suspicious at the hurried-up nature of the wedding and carefully studied my abdomen looking for evidence of The Reason.

We were married on a Friday evening by candlelight.  I wore a short, white, Mexican-style dress and carried daisies.  Honna's dress was yellow and similar in style.  She carried mixed flowers.  Ice cream, cake, and the champagne punch were served at my mother's house following the ceremony.  It was July 21, 1967.  Forty-three years ago.

The other day I was in the company of two other women and as talk turned to anniversaries, one of them said, "I'm not totally sure I'd marry my husband if I had it to do over."  I was amazed.  And then the other one said, "I'm not sure either."  Holy cow.

I'd do it again.  In three weeks.  Or in a minute.



Comments

Lori said…
I can honestly say I'd do it again too. That's sad that the women thought that about their marriage.

Ok, so was Joe in the Navy for 4 years? Is that where his love of the water and sailing came from?
Nancy said…
The best kind of wedding...

My hubby went out and enlisted in the Navy in 1971 and THEN asked me to marry him...he said he was worried I would say NO and he would be stuck in the service for no reason..lol He had shore duty the entire 4 1/2 years...

I would do it all over again...
Judi said…
Goodness, like you I'd marry my lovely man again in a heartbeat. Aren't we lucky to feel that way, and how sad that some others don't.

Many congratulations to you and to Joe (even if he didn't pick my number for the giveaway!)

I hope you will be celebrating suitably this evening.

:)
Judi
Mrs. Goodneedle said…
Happy Anniversary! I'm with you... I'd marry my husband all over again even without cake and punch! Things were simpler then; it seems to me, when I ponder this, that the focus was on the marriage more than the wedding, back in the day... novel concept!?!
howdidIgethere said…
Ironic, isn't it? I'd do it all over again in a heartbeat -- with the man I married in 1988. Unfortunately, he's no longer here.

Thanks for the glimpse of that wonderful day and the happiest of anniversaries to you and Joe.
Anonymous said…
Congratulations, Nancy. I think this blog post is about the nicest anniversary gift you could give your husband. (Unless he likes power tools!)
Anonymous said…
Nancy,
Congratulations!!! And a lovely story :-))
Kathy B
Pat said…
You are both blessed. What a lovely story and what a wonderful couple you are.

Yep, I'd do it all over again, although I'd probably change some of the things we both did in the intervening 36 years -- being so much older and wiser now (ha!).
what a sweet story, i wonder if all the planning and expenses and worry about what everone else thinks is why so many marriages don't last today. i am single, but have been in a committed relationship since 1980. guess it works when you work at it...
Expat Hausfrau said…
What a nice post. Now I would love to see some accompanying photos from that special day. Surely you have some to share, no?
Laurie said…
This brought tears to my eyes. We're heading into twenty-four next month and I'd marry him again in a heartbeat!
G'G'ma said…
Congratulations!! Such a nice post. Yes, things sure were different years ago. Our 56th anniversary will be in 3 1/2 weeks.
Sweet P said…
Happy Anniversary! You have a wonderful story to share about your wedding. I would marry my hubby again in a heartbeat.
congrats..........what a whirl wind romance.........I wasn't even a twinkle in an eye..........
Susan said…
Congratulations! Hope you're busy celebrating.

After being at my daughter's college orientation and sitting with several groups of single mothers, I was beginning to think that my husband and I were practically the only people on the planet still in the first marriage. It's so heartwarmimg to read your story and all the other comments.
quiltmom anna said…
Congratulations to your two lucky winners- they will have fun creating with them.
What an interesting discussion you had with the ladies about whether they would marry the same man if they had to do it over. Like you, I would marry the same man as I chose over 30 years ago now( we will have our 30 anniversary in December) in a heart beat. He is one of my closest friends as well as being my partner in life. I feel fortunate and blessed.
Happy Anniversary to you and Joe- may you enjoy many more happy years together. (My parents will celebrate their 55 th anniversary on the 27th of this month.
Warmest regards,
Anna
Anonymous said…
I did not know when your special day was - CONGRATULATIONS from your West Coast Family. As you know, we planned our wedding in 3 months and your mom made the flower girl dress and altered some store bought ones. We had cake & punch in the church hall. That's how it was done in 1959. 50+ years has flown by and while we would do some things differently (hindsight is great!) our love today is stronger than it was then. With 3 kids, 7 grandkids, 4 GREATS and another GREAT on the way, what could be better than this. Love and many more years. Your West Coast Cuz
Unknown said…
Congratulations to you both - like you I'd do it all again in the blinking of an eye :o)
*karendianne. said…
Aww, Happy Anniversary my friend. To both of you. How sweet.
Tanya said…
What a lovely, lovely story! Congratulations!