Happy 45th Anniversary!

Today my parents celebrate their forty-fifth wedding anniversary. Here’s a brief summary of their story.

1971

My dad was farming with my uncle. My mom was an elementary school teacher in St. Paul, Minnesota. She had just accepted a teaching position in Pompano Beach, Florida. During the summer between the two positions she stayed with my grandparents in Baraboo, Wisconsin.

Mom had been invited to a party at her friend Rosemary’s house. Rosemary’s uncle was also in attendance at the party. (NOTE: There is a BIG age gap between my dad and his oldest brother.) After the party, my dad asked Rosemary if Lorene was seeing anybody. She wasn’t.

The two of them went on a few dates. Dad knew the clock was ticking since mom was moving to Florida in a few short weeks. My dad is not one to let grass grow under his feet, so after an evening at the Sauk County Fair’s Demolition Derby and a romantic dinner at the A&W, dad asked mom to marry him in my grandparent’s driveway. Mom agreed (my sisters and I joke that it was because she liked his dog, Red). Overjoyed, mom woke my grandparents and told them that dad had proposed and she accepted. Grandpa said “he didn’t ask my permission”.

Wedding plans were put in motion. Mom moved to Florida as planned, and the wedding was scheduled for the following summer.

1972

Mom and Dad were married on Friday evening, June 30th. St. John’s Lutheran Church was full of family and friends. After a brief honeymoon (one night in the Wisconsin Dells – gotta get home to milk the cows) they began their life together.

1973

I was born.

1974

The twins were born.

1977

Vicky was born.

1999

They became grandparents when my niece, Grace was born.

2002

They became grandparents again when my nephew, Bryce was born.

(Finally, a boy!!!)

2017

Today mom and dad celebrate forty-five years of marriage. They are going out for lunch at their favorite Chinese restaurant with my three sisters. I’ll join them on the phone since I can’t make it to Wisconsin today.

They are still very much in love. Through all of life’s ups and downs (that first-born of theirs is a real handful), they have only gotten closer. They are the textbook example of a successful marriage. They taught my sisters and I about teamwork, fairness, respect, persistence and the most essential element of relationship success – humor. They didn’t just talk it – they lived it. Daily. They still do.

“There is no more lovely, friendly and charming relationship, communion or company than a good marriage.” – Martin Luther