Yesterday, Mom and Dad celebrated their 68th wedding anniversary. (Wow, right?!?)
A few weeks ago, my dad called and asked what I was doing on August 5th. Well aware of what day it was, I played dumb and asked him what he had in mind. He wanted to go for a drive and meet Captain Cavedweller and me halfway between our two homes (which is about three hours).
My oldest brother and sister-in-law drove Mom and Dad to a little town about an hour from where they live and we met them there for lunch. It was so nice to see them and be able to celebrate their special day with them. I tried to get them to tell me when and how dad proposed, but they both claim they don’t remember. I might have to do a little more digging to see if I can get the story out of them.
I may not know how he proposed or when or where, but I do know they spent their honeymoon camping (which would be my idea of torture!) Here they are at the campsite. I have no idea who took the photo of them, but Dad sure looks like he’s having a great time.
Before we left to meet them yesterday, I was digging around through some old photos and came across a postcard a cousin had given me.
Back in 1949, after they graduated from high school, my dad went on two deployments with the Naval Reserve. One of them was to Alaska, the other to Hawaii.
Wasn’t he handsome in his uniform!
Anyway, Dad sent a postcard in August to his oldest sister, who was by then married. The postcard showed a photograph of the garden at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel – and it was Kodachrome, a full-color image! The postcard had no address on it, just the town and state where they lived and it was written in pencil – but the words are still crisp and clear even 69 years later!
On the back, Dad had written:
Hi Sis and Hub,
Well, here I am in Honolulu, Hawaii, 3,000 miles from home and my girl, but it is worth it. This is the most beautiful place I ever saw.
See ya’
I thought it was so cute he mentioned Mom and was thinking of her even then. He did bring her back a few treasures.
Including this grass skirt outfit. Love mom’s beautiful smile. The grinning girl on the steps wearing the Hawaiian Island t-shirt (most likely a gift from dad) is dad’s sister, my beloved Aunt Robbie.
I just loved this little peek into their courting days.
Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad. Here’s to more wonderful years together.
