June 19, 1943

Today would've been my parents' 72nd wedding anniversary. They actually were married well-over the 50 year mark, I think 56 to be exact. They eloped, and were married at the courthouse in the neighboring county. Mom's folks had been married at the courthouse in another nearby county back in their day. My husband and I eloped and were married in the courthouse in a neighboring state (one we live in now), and just celebrated 24 years. Do you see a pattern here? ha ha

The town where my folks were married (not their hometown, but a neighboring town) was hit by a huge tornado in 2007, which wiped out around 95 per cent of the town. It has slowly been rebuilding, and coming along fairly well. But one thing that stayed, was the courthouse. Here are a few photos of it back in mid-July of 2011, four years after the tornado. I think that gazebo area is new. The building to the south is the sheriff's office, it's been there a long time.

Looking southwest:

Looking east:

Looking northeast:

Except for a few months in the bigger city during the war (Dad worked in an airplane plant), they set up housekeeping two houses away from where Dad was born, and lived there their whole married lives.

Mom and Dad's house early on - Granddad (Dad's dad) built that part. Dad's folks' house is in the background.

Home later on.

Mom and Dad in their younger days.

Church directory picture from later years.

Dad was an electrician, radio and TV repairman, ran two TV cable systems (owned one), and had his own shop. Mom worked in offices, mainly at the courthouse. They were faithful members of the Christian Church there in our hometown, and I have tons of memories there. They supported my brother and I in our various endeavors, from my brother moving to Colorado for school, to me being obsessed with wanting a horse and eventually getting one, and everything in between. They were both musical, and I have great memories of that as well. I'm thankful to no end that they were my parents. Of course, as a family, we had our ups and downs, and normal things to deal with. A few UN-normal things, such as when we lost my brother in 1979. But we stuck together, and kept on living. Many things helped bring joy to their lives, including my husband's and my sons - they were overjoyed with their two grandsons. They sure waited long enough for them! So in memory of my dear folks, "Happy Anniversary," I love you still, always will.

My folks on Father's Day of 1993, appropriate since this weekend is Father's Day. So this would be somewhere around their anniversary that year (50!).

My folks there at home, in front of the fireplace. Dad built on to that house through the years, and that big south room was wonderful. It had a fireplace and a huge picture window on the south. That framed picture in the background is one I did as a kid during summer school one year (grade school years, 2nd grade?). It's of the local golf course. (Dad was a golfer for years and years and years, so we spent a good bit of time out there at the golf course!)