Monday, June 02, 2014

In It For the Long Haul

It was 1979 - can you tell?


It was 103 degrees - but my dress had long sleeves and a high neck. Luckily, the church air conditioning was quite adequate to the heat of the day. You see, I was a bride on a budget and found this dress and veil highly marked down. It fit, the price was right, I liked it - there you go!

Thirty-five years ago in Idaho getting married did not require buffets, appetizers, special lighting, venues, etc. A church, cake, mints, nuts, coffee and punch were all you needed to satisfy your guests. I suppose there were a select few even in Idaho who went all out, but for me, the idea didn't even occur to me to do anything but simple. 

And we had a wonderful day . . . and life!

There have been lots of ups and downs as everyone experiences in life. Big changes in life plans, career aspirations - God had a different plan for us than the one we started out with. Gary was interested in becoming a pastor. I was an executive secretary. Over the years Gary had several careers, but the ministry wasn't one, and he finally started his own insurance agency. I had that first baby right after Gary graduated from college, which changed my career goals forever. Motherhood and homemaking became my calling and I haven't looked back, even with the empty nest looming in the near future.

God has blessed our marriage and I pray we've been a blessing to others in return. It will be interesting to see what comes to us in the next 35 years!

18 comments:

Melissa said...

Happy Anniversary, Von! Do you guys laugh when you look back at your hairstyles back then? I do with mine!

Annette-California said...

Happy Anniversary! I love seeing wedding photos. I had to laugh because the day I got married I too had long sleeves and it was HOT!!
Love you wedding cake and your dress is beautiful. love Annette

Annette-California said...

Happy Anniversary! I love seeing wedding photos! Look at that cake - beautiful.

valerie said...

Happy Anniversary, Von! Thank goodness for air conditioning! :)

Barb said...

I love your wedding photo - it is truly beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

Congratulations on 35 years of marriage and best wishes and blessings to you on the next 35 (and beyond)!

Carol said...

Happy Anniversary, Von!! Gotta love those 70s hair styles. We'll celebrate our 37th next month--where have the years gone?!

Wishing you both another 35 happy years together :)

Barb said...

What a cute couple!! Thank goodness for AC. My wish is that you have 35 more wonderful years together.

viv said...

Love the picture. Happy Anniversary and best wishes for many more. You were a beautiful bride and together the two of you have raised a wonderful family. God is good and to him be the glory.

Sharon said...

Love the picture Von! Happy Anniversary to you both! May you have many more years together :-)

Jennifer said...

I love the long sleeves! Wedding dress have become burlesque costumes these days. Too much skin. Your choice is lovely. Congratulations and many many more happy years together!

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Happy Anniversary!
It truly sounds like the next 35 will be just as happy!

Denise said...

Happy Anniversary Von!My husband & I had our 35th in May and we also got married on a small budget, and would not change a thing.
Here's to many more years together.
Denise

Terri said...

Happy anniversary!!!

Mylene said...

All the best to you both, Happy Anniversary.

Jennifer said...

Happy Anniversary - congratulations on 35 years, and here's to the next 35! Such a lovely photo! (Your husband looks like he could be one of the Osmonds)

Julie said...

Happy Anniversary wishes to you both, a lovely picture.

Margaret said...

What a beautiful young couple. Congratulations on your 35th anniversary. May God grant you many more.

Pam in IL said...

Happy Anniversary! Hubby and I also had a small, simple wedding. I can't believe our oldest is getting married in less than 3 months when it seems like just last month I got married. Love your photo!