They worked one summer at the capitol in Bismarck; not in the same office as I remember it being told, but on the same floor.
He’d been rather restless before then, having been away from home, first as a young man in the seminary, then a serviceman in the U.S. Air Force, where, for a while, he was stationed in Japan, and served as a chaplain’s assistant. Japan was one of his loves, as well as the people there.
But something wasn’t settled, and when he saw her, something inside him said, “She’s the one.” They courted, and a few years after that first meeting in the capitol halls, he asked her to marry him.
She said yes, and in the summer of 1965, they united in holy matrimony, 50 years ago today…
Their sacrament was sealed at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, that building with the tall, spire reaching up from the Plains into the heavens, just blocks from where they’d met — the place where she’d grown up and received her first sacraments.
They became teachers, and around the time he was finishing up his degree at Minot State University, the first girl came. A move to Wyoming where teaching jobs awaited, and the second daughter arrived — me! Their penultimate move would bring them to northeast Montana, where they would raise their daughters, and teach kids, and help with farm crops and other endeavors.
Eventually, the girls would reach their parents’ height. They would gather again, one last time in Montana, all four, before the two who started this family off would return to their North Dakota origins.
We girls married, too, and brought new people into their circle of love — eight grandchildren in all here and one in heaven.
Then, in January 2013, Dad passed on into the next world, leaving us to go on for a while without him. But that doesn’t mean this day — 50 years after they said “I do” before family and friends — should be any less significant.
If not for their “I do,” there would be no Roxane, no Camille. And none of this would have happened.
It’s been 50 years since that day at the cathedral, and half a century later, they are on their daughters’ minds and in our hearts in a very special way. We are praying for a bright day for Mom, and Dad, too, thanking them for all the sacrifices that brought us and our families into being, and looking forward to a day in the future when we’ll celebrate again together.
Happy 50th wedding anniversary Mom (and Dad too)! We love you!
Q4U: Have you ever toasted to 50 of something — for you or another?
What a beautiful piece! My Grandparents were married 50+ years before my Grandmother passed away. What an inspiration they are to me and to so many in my family! Even with the loss of my own marriage, I find hope in their example and have learned to wait for a faith-filled man like my role model, my Grandfather (who was also in Japan although he was a Navy pilot during WWII).
Thanks for sharing. It is amazing what, “I Do,” brings to the world!
God Bless…
Strahlen, thanks for stopping by and sharing about your own dear ones and how they’ve inspired you. Our “yes,” like Mary’s, can be so very powerful. Living it out is another thing, and can happen well only through the grace of God. Bless you!
Hi Roxane, Beautiful article. Next week on September 2, our neighbors, of 35 years, Tom and Mary Case will be married 50 years. When you think of people being married that long in our heads we often think of “older” couples. Tom and Mary are in their early 70’s and are so young and still deeply in love. They have spent their entire life being an example for the world to see. They wear their love for each other on their sleeve. The respect that they have for each other is endless and this is all surrounded by faith. Tom was a 4th grade teacher in Moorhead for ever and Mary stayed home raising thier 3 sons. When we moved in and my children came along they were right here by my side as neighbors, friends and family proving that it takes a village to raise children. They are my oldest daughter Melissa’s Godparents and now for the past 10 years, Melissa and her husband Kyle share the same wedding anniversary. I feel so fortunate to have this beautiful couple as my neighbors, friends and after all these years, my family. Love you and take care. Sandy Eggermont
That’s beautiful Sandy! And guess what else they share? My birthday! That is so cool! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by to share!