They say that certain events have a profound effect on our lives. I've had many events that certainly prove this opening statement. One of the most changing events came on December 5th 1975. Thirty nine years ago I got married. I went from being the carefree, party going, social bunny to a happily married, responsible (?), adult.
Yes, today is my thirty-ninth year of celebrating that event. I'm sitting here at the computer, in my jammies,and hacking up a storm. ( Darn colds) Bill is off helping his mother get groceries and I'm not even sure that he's noticed the date. I thought it would be appropriate to mark the date with a blog entry.
December 5th.1975. It was a cold wintry day. I went to Richmond School in the morning to teach my rowdie third graders ( that was a memorable group) I taught for the morning and some other teachers covered my afternoon classes so I could go and get my hair done professionally.
Our wedding was to take place at 7:30pm at the home of my brother Eric. Strange ? Yes but here I have to back track a few months. Bill and I were supposed to be married in September. My father took ill in August and was in hospital
( very ill) so we postponed the event until October, then November, and finally with Dad's urging from his sick bed
( still in hospital) we set a December 5th date. It broke my heart that he wouldn't be there but with lots of urging I agreed to this date. The chapel that we attended church meetings at was booked for that date so our wise Branch President
( church leader) suggested we have the ceremony in a family home which is significant for a marriage , as marriage is the beginning of family.
So at 7:30 pm , with a very small group of family and friends the ceremony took place. We were married by David Goble, our Branch Pres. and dear friend. Bill Farmer was Bill's best man, and my sister Dianne Quimby was my attendant. We were married in front of the fire place with a mirror above it, which enabled us to see all of our few guests. Most noticeable to me was my mother who silently wept through the brief service.
( I often reflect about why she wept....but needless to say I concluded it was her worry for Dad...who unbeknown to me was scheduled for critical surgery the next morning )
So the event was bittersweet....happy that we were finally getting married, sad because of the events relating to dad's illness. Maybe a good place to note that Dad was in hospital until April, and survived to live another 23 years. ( with several medical complications....another story)
Other memories of that day....we had a small buffet reception after the ceremony, I changed into an orange going away outfit, the photographer ( Dianne's first husband John) didn't realize that the setting was changed on the camera so hardly any of his photos were any good ( it cut out one of us in each photo....where was digitals!!!), Bill had been told of the surgery but was told to keep it a secret ( great start to our marriage), we travelled to Old Orchard Inn for our honeymoon. ( at a cost of 49.97 per night), we went bowling the next day ( really), and then Bill shared his secret about Dad ( since we hadn't received a death call) and we packed and returned to the city. to be with my mom.
I had Monday off to settle into our apartment on Mandaville Court and returned to work on Tuesday.
Other significant memories to note....
I found out in January that I was pregnant
My grandmother, Nanny Nash died suddenly in February
I miscarried the baby in March, and Dad came down from his hospital bed to visit me at the hospital
Dad came home in April.
In August of that year ( 1976 now), I learned that I was pregnant with Michael ( born in April 1977)
Finally, Bill and I travelled to Washington DC and on August 23, 1977, (with my other sister Julie attending) and we had our marriage sealed for time and all eternity. This marriage ceremony was very special, and something that we were learning more about as newer members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints. Our son, Michael was sealed to us and our three beautiful daughters that followed were born under this very special eternal covenant. For this I am deeply grateful.
We did get a few photos thanks to sister in law Lynn....first one is at school shower...can't find my Sept.invitation....I think we caught the printer before printing and changed it to October, then November and never had a December one...or the fancy reception that we originally planned.
Of course we saved the receipts...it's a Bill thing!!
Regrets....not really.....except the poor photo memories.
(especially no photos with my Mom or Bill's mom, or family groups....sorry everyone)
Thank goodness that my children do better with photo memories !!
I have been abundantly blessed to be married to Bill. We have an amazing family, and we look forward to making many more memories together.
Love you Bill.....it's been quite the roller coaster ride!!!
