Happy Anniversary!

Happy Anniversary to my better half!

Look at this happy, young couple! WE WERE BABIES!

It seems like only yesterday but there has been a lot of years, a lot miles, a lot of kids, a lot of trials, a lot of laughs and smiles, some tears, much joy, and much love since that day thirty-six years ago.There’s no place I’d rather be than where I am today, at this time, in this place, with this man. For years and years now I’ve felt sorry for anyone who isn’t me. I know how haughty and arrogant that sounds, but believe me, I am not that vain, I know my shortcomings. I’m not beautiful by any means, I’m not smart, I don’t have a nice body, I don’t have any talents to speak of, I’m not rich, I’m not famous, I haven’t attained any great accomplishments that I can brag about, I’ve had anguish and sorrow and trials in my life, I possess many, many negatives, so I am not being egotistical when I say this ~ I feel sorry for anyone who is not me, for I am loved disproportionately, it feels like gluttony, it feels like greed to have love in such excess.
I know how Blessed we are, there aren’t many couples that have discovered this gift of love excessive that we are fortunate to have found.


Wedding Day Memories ~

We were married at an 11:00 A.M. Mass on Saturday, May 26, 1973.
I did not arise from bed until sometime after 8:30 that morning! No jitters, no nervousness. Cool, calm, collected.
Happy! Happy! Happy!
No professional hairdresser, no professional make-up artist, no professional manicure.
My little brother asking if my white bathrobe was my wedding dress.
Mom made me tea and toast.
I remember hearing Cat Stevens singing ‘Morning Has Broken’ in the background as the bridesmaids and I got dressed.
Lace from my Aunt Margie’s slip was sewn onto my slip by my mother (Margie was my Mom’s sister, she had passed away when I was a little girl).
Mom helping me attach my Juliet cap/veil to my hair.
I had the florist attach my bouquet (a bouquet of stephanotis) to my Aunt Florence’s Prayer Book.
The photographer was a pest!
Walked out the door on my Dad’s arm at 10:40 A.M.
Happy! Happy! Happy!
My sister Diane outside of church leaning on the altar boy’s back to sign as a witness on the official Church Marriage Certificate.
My Mom looked so beautiful standing outside the church all dressed in blue.
Bridesmaids pretty in pink.
Handsome groom at the end of the aisle dressed in a morning suit.
Happy! Happy! Happy!
Vows and rings exchanged.
‘Mother At Thy Feet Is Kneeling (one who loves you, ‘tis your child)’ was sung in church as I left a bouquet at Mary’s altar (I was going to have Ave Maria sung, but this other song was a request from my Mom and I’m glad I obliged, it was beautiful).
Uncle Tom filming outside of church.
Happy! Happy! Happy!
Our Wedding song was ‘Unchained Melody’.
The rest of the reception celebration is a blur.
Ray drove us to my house after, changed clothes, kissed Mom and Dad good-bye.
Drove off on our way to honeymoon in Sea Island, Georgia.
All the planning for the day now behind us and just a happy memory.
Started life as man and wife.
Happy! Happy! Happy!

My bridesmaids ~ Back Row: My girlfriend Laurie (a childhood friend, she passed away from cancer a few years ago) & my sister Diane, and my sister-in-law Ann (my brother Tom's ex-wife).
Seated on chair: My girlfriend Susan.
Seated on floor: My girlfriend Donna.
Kneeling up: My sister-in-law Susie (Ray's sister).



Charlotte (in the blue dress) & Frank (my Mom & Dad)
Helena (in the green dress) & Harry (Ray's Mom & Dad)