Monday, March 12, 2007

Twenty-Three Years Ago

 
Twenty-three years ago a slim, blonde young man of 21 was frantically shopping in Bealls Dept. store for a new pair of slacks and dress shirt.  He ran into his brother & sister-in-laws house on Roosevelt to take a shower, put on his new duds and fix his immaculate hair.
 
That same morning a young brunette of 23 dressed for work in the office at the lumber mill in her best off white dress.  She tucked her mother's wedding rings in her billfold and headed to work. 
 
At noon, a red AMX squealed to a stop in front of the offices.  Out came the brunette.  The couple headed off to the county seat.  There they went into the register's office and bought a marriage license.  No blood tests, no waiting was the law of the day. 
 
The couple made their way to Judge Pete McKinney's office, only to find him out to lunch.  So they went out to lunch themselves at a local burger joint.  Burgers, onion rings and malts swirling around inside, they went back to the courthouse.
 
Inside, they found Pete.  And he was willing and tickled to marry this young fellow and his bride to be.  After all, he had been the one of the boy's first employers.  The couple nervously exchanged their vows and he slipped her mother's wedding band on her finger.
 
The couple took off back to his brothers' house.  Whether he confided their secret plans to his sister-in-law or she guessed what was up, as there were plastic champagne glasses and one bottle waiting there for them to toast.  Pictures were made on the front porch.  The happy couple called other family members to let them know they were now man and wife.
 
All around everyone seemed very happy for them and very understanding of why they chose to elope.  They were older than many of their friends had been when they wed, yet they were really very young.  No idea what life had in store for them, but ready to stand and face it together.
 
That slim, hard as a rock young man was Pete.  That petite brunette was me.  Celebrate with us, this our twenty-third wedding anniversary.
 
                     

24 comments:

  1. HAPPY ANNIVRSARY!!! WOO HOO 23 yrs!
    Hope you have a wonderful day & many many more years together!
    Blessings,
    Sugar

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  2. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
    much love,
    Barb- http://journals.aol.com/barbpinion/HEYLETSTALK

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  3. Happy Anniversary and God Bless you with many more years of happiness....Hugs Ora of KY

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  4. Happy Anniversary!!  I enjoyed your walk down memory lane!!  What a beautiful entry!!! I am so happy for you!!!  Blessings,
    Lisa

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  5. Happy, happy anniversary!! And here's hoping for many, many more years of happiness!! Great story!
    Lori
    http://journals.aol.com/helmswondermom/DustyPages

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  6. Wishing you and Pete a very happy 23rd anniversary. Paula

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  7. Happy anniversary.  I always wanted to elope but never had the nerve.  Too late now.
    Jenny <><

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  8. Happy Anniversary, Barbara!!! bea

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  9. happy Anniversary!!
    Lyn


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  10. Happy Anniversary you two!!!!!!!  What a neat story- and thank you for sharing it with us.  I was smiling  as I read it!  Many of God's Blessings to you both! (((())))s Love Carolyn :)

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  11. Happy Anniversary to you and Pete!!

    Such a wonderful entry...I wish I had eloped.

    Michele

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  12. How romantic.....
    Hope you had a nice day!
    Linda :)

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  13. Ms.Barbra thx for reading my blog! Hope that other kids will also profit from it. I have to say that I have a bad memory and I wanted to ask.....have we met before?  Thank you again mam!

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  14. AHHH Happy Anniversary!  23 years is most definatley something to celebrate!

    Kara :)

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  15. oh how sweet congrates and many happy blessed years togather God bless you my friend kelley

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  16. God bless you on your anniversary.  I pray that you have 21 more years with this man.  The world is changing and it's hard to even know if the person you might date is really who they seem to be.  Not like 21 years ago when you got married.
    God bless you, make his face to shine upon you and prayers will continue for you and your family and Pete's healing.  I love you.

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  17.    I LIKE THAT STORY.   sam

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  18. What a wonderful story!
    Congratulations on what sounds like 23 marvelous years!  MANY MANY MORE!!
    -Kellen
    http://journals.aol.com/irisheyes1929/FaithinRomanCatholicism

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  19. What a wonderful and joyous memory!! Happy 23rd year to you both!! (Hugs) Indigo

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  20. happy 23rd anni :)
    what a great story
    emily

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  21. Awww   Congratulations!!   That was a lovely wedding!  I had a nice size traditional church wedding and a very BUMPY 19 yrs marriage.  This time we went to Tennessee and married in a little chapel with only one couple standing up with us.  It's been 13 years of married bliss! Oh, lots of ups an downs in life....but the marriage is wonderful.

    I wish you and Pete many, many more!  And Pete is in my prayers.

    Hugs
    Darlene

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  22. Dear Barbara,
    happy Anniversary! (I think!:)
    Hey you guys are a great couple!
    love,nat

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  23. Congratulations on your and Pete's 23rd Wedding Anniversary!    The story of how the two of you eloped was wonderful.    May you both have many more years together having started from that day in your youth!    mark

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  24. Great story! Congrats on the anniversary!
    Terrie

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So glad you stopped by! Come 'round any time. ~ Barbara

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