FORTY TWO YEARS AGO TODAY

On this day, forty-two years ago, I readied myself to meet my groom at the church.

The wedding preparations, while limited in size and cost as they are for nuptials these days,  had been made. . . 

1. the proposal and the rings. . .

he asked me to marry him in a very round about way.  It wasn't "will you marry me?", but rather something like "what do you think about getting married?".   My Casanova was smitten with me as much as I was with him .

Scary now that I look back on it.  I had just turned 20 and he was 22.  We had only dated a few months!  I would not have been supportive of that idea for my kids, BUT our parents didn't interfere.  He asked my dad's permission to marry me. . . of course, I had already confided in mom what was gonna happen. 

So we went to a jewelry store in downtown Kansas City, called "Krigel's Diamond Shops", and selected our rings. 

These are the boxes that contained our rings.  

I KNOW some of you are thinking "why does she have those ring boxes after 42 years?" 

I can hear YOU!!  However, I am sentimental. . . and hold on, cuz it gets worse.

2.  date set. . .   

I had always dreamed of being a June bride.  I don't know why. . . I think I had only attended one wedding prior to being in my own, but June always sounded perfect in my mind.  So, we picked June. 

3.  church reserved. . .

BUT before a date  was cast in stone there was a tiny issue.   I was a Protestant and he was a Catholic, so I had to "visit" with the Monsignor (not many of them left anymore) several times.   It was a requirement for those  non-Catholic spouses  for that particular priest. . . maybe for all of them back then, but he insisted and I obeyed!!!   :)

4.  cake ordered. . .

I selected the mother of a high school friend of mine who was a baker . . . Mrs. Ditto. . . to make our cake.  And even though she lived over an hour away. . . she gladly made our cake and drove the many miles to set it up and serve it for us.

I told you I was sentimental. . . and so was she.  This whisk was given to us from her. . . it was the one she used to make our cake.   I used it for many years. . . until I was afraid I might be creating a health risk with the rust from the whisk!  I still cherish it, but I don't use it! :)

5. flowers ordered. . .

my husband and I drove down to Rosie's Florals, also in Kansas City, and selected a bridal bouquet for me that I thought was glorious. . . yellow roses and daisies and of course a touch of Stephanotis.  My bridesmaids had little nosegays with similar flowers.  The boutonnieres were clusters of Stephanotis.  Our moms' corsages co-ordinated with their dresses.  I don't remember if we ordered alter flowers.  Probably not, we were paying for everything ourselves and arrangements of that size were no doubt out of our price range.

I do still have my "going away" corsage, proudly modeled by THE STONE RABBIT!   Yellow roses and white pipe cleaner leaves.  Hmmmmm. . . that must've been a cost cutting measure! :)

6.  bridesmaid dresses. . .

yellow was, and still is, one of my favorite colors, so my sister and my best friend got to wear long yellow dresses! 

I picked out the patterns and the fabric and selected daisy trim to go down the front of each dress. . . my mom made them.  I created the perky bows, from the dress fabric,  each gal was forced to wear! :)  Gads, I'll bet they hated me now that I look at that photo.

7.  my dress. . .

I knew that there was not enough money to buy a "ready made" dress, so I set about shopping for a pattern and the fabric and, even though I was a fairly decent seamstress, I enlisted my mom to do the actual sewing. . . because she was an even better seamstress.

I recall placing the yards of fabric down on our apartment living room floor, then pinning the patten to it and cutting away with the only pair of scissors I owned at the time which weren't terribly sharp and  had blades of about three inches.  

I  made my veil.  I had no idea what I was doing, but it turned out fine and I was very proud of it.

8.  My Showers. . . .

In the "olden days" folks gave theme showers. 

My husband's relatives gave me a "lingerie shower".   I recall receiving several flimsy nighties. . . and  being embarrassed about opening all of those things up in front of my mom and my future mother-in-law.  I'm certain my face was beet red for most of the event. 

Here is THE STONE RABBIT showing off the centerpiece from that shower.

Later, some of my friends gave us a "household shower" and my mom presented me with a quilt she had made out of scraps of old fabrics used to create clothes for our family and some of our cast off clothes.  We used that quilt until it started to fall apart.  I have it in my cedar chest, but I should get it out and try to repair it and put it to use in some way.

9.  the reception. . .

the original plan was only a cake and punch reception at the church because we couldn't afford anything else.  Then, as the days drew closer to the wedding,  someone came up with a clubhouse for free and  we scraped up enough money to buy some beer and several sacks of potato chips!!   That was it- - - last minute, no stressing, and cheap.    It turned out to be quite the party.   In fact, folks still talk about that night. . . but that's a story for another time! :)

10.  the day. . .

SOOOOO, everything was planned and on the morning of June 8, 1968, I waited in my un-airconditioned apartment for my parents to pick me up and take me,  and my dress, to the church. . .  in their un-airconditioned car. . . and travel across town to meet up with my groom for what would become the rest of my life. . . and his.   A life that we created together and have shared for these many years.

It all started out so long ago. . . when we were so young.

Every day is still quite the adventure with my groom. . . and I'm guessing that's what has made it work so long.  Well, that and those talks with the Monsignor! :)

He is always full of surprises!  Look what he just sent me. . . HE has learned to send text messages and I haven't!!! 

Ooops, he needs to have a little spell check on that phone! :)

HOWEVER, I have a blog and he doesn't. . . so I am going to tell everyone how much I love him and how I pray we have many, many more years and adventures together!!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to you, too!!

Love, DANA

Comments

[Donna]

What an adorable post, Dana! I love that you kept so many things from your wedding. I am the same way. I even have the dye tag for my prom shoes, receipt for my class ring and so many other treasures.

You, your groom and wedding party look so cute. I can't wait to hear about your wild reception :)

Happy Anniversary and many more!

[Nancy]

What a wonderful wedding and memory and post! You look so beautiful and really...not much different now! All of this sounds so familiar! Three years before you we got married - my dress was made by a local seamstress...ditto on the a/c, I had my sister and friend for bridesmaids but you really outdid me on the reception. We had cake, punch, nuts and mints in the parish hall! We hadn't known each other all that long and I'm sure no one thought we'd last...and last...and last...lol. Yep, I would have been totally against my own kids marrying so young, too.
Congratulations on this wonderful occasion. Sending you a big hug across the miles! xoxo Nancy
PS which is your sister?

[Cathy Santarsiero]

Dana! You sentimental little bunny, you. I love it. Love that you've saved all that stuff all these years. I wish you and the Mister many more years of joy and happiness together! May God bless you both. xo xo Love, Cat

[jeanne]

Congratulations on 42 years of marriage Dana. I adore this post. It is so you to save mementos from that very special day. I am sentimental like that too. It runs in my family. We still have our mother's wedding dress. My sister wore it when she was married.

I love your detailed story and the photos. You are the 'best' when it comes to spinning a story. This one is the sweetest.

Your wedding gown is beautiful. Did you keep it? I kept mine. I have shared it in a previous post. Your bridesmaids look quite love in their yellow dresses. Would you believe I made my girls matching dresses that is very similar to the pattern you used. I too used trim the same way. Very 60's style. I liked the bows. It was in style at the time.

You look beautiful in your wedding photo and very young. Your hubby is very handsome. I was 23 when I married Bill in 1963. We are three years from our 50th. Where did those years go? Is your sister standing next to you?

My future MIL gave me a surprise shower in her home. I didn't think anyone could ever surprise me. I too received some thin revealing nightgowns. Would you believe I still have two of them? Baby dolls were in then. the quilt your mom made is a very nice treasure. You should mend it for sure. Hang it on a quilt stand.

This is a special post and I am very happy to have shared it with you. It is the perfect storybook wedding, with you as a lovely June bride. I almost feel like I was there. BIG smile.
Love, Jeanne

[Darlene]

I tried to comment earlier and it wouldn't post for some reason.

CONGRATULATIONS Dana!!! WOW that is a long time. I LOVE this beautiful post and how special that you still have that wonderful pattern, your corsage and the table pretty. Hope you have a wonderful anniversary date!♥

[Terri Steffes]

Oh wow, I loved this post! My anniversary is in two weeks, can I steal your idea and post one like you??

[Angela]

Congratulations Dana to you and your Groom! What a sweet story! I think your wedding and reception sound perfect to me! I too married my husband after only dating for a few short months! That would scare me to death to to let my kids do that! lol

Here's to many more Happy Anniversaries!

Hugs,
Angela

[Ceekay]

Precious post. I love that you have so many keepsakes from your wedding. My girls dresses were yellow also. I have something most people don't have - the signs that went on our car....I should show those sometime....Happy Anniversary!!

[Caren]

Dana ~ Congratulations and Happy Anniversary! 40 years - that's fantastic! We have been married 33 years : ) I too am Protestant and hubby is Catholic. We had to meet with the Priest and go through marriage classes so we could be married in Catholic church. He attends church with me in my church now...... : ) Hope you had something fun planned for today.

[sandra]

Wonderful post and I love all the things you have saved from your special day. I used yellow as an accent in my wedding colors too...love your dress...mine was homemade too. Thanks for stopping by and saying hi.

[Sandy B]

That's so sweet; I love your dress.

Congratulations

[Sheila]

Dana! I am a day late, but I hope you had a wonderful anniversary!!!

I loved reading all of this, and I especially love how sentimental you are. And you know what? I think the dresses are darling! They were in style then, and I bet the loved them. They both look cute as can be! I love yellow, too. I served at my cousin's wedding, and we (the cousins) wore yellow to coordinate with the yellow theme of the wedding. It was a reception in a garden as I recall, and it was in June as I recall and HOT! ;-)

Mr. Magpie and I eloped, and then we restated our vows before the family and had a family dinner and then a huge party with everyone the next day. I think it was the non-stress way to do it, but seeing your beautiful dress really makes me smile. And to think you and your mom made it! That makes it even more special!!! You were and are a beautiful bride and have a handsome groom!

XO,

Sheila

[DIL]

I LOVE this! What a sweet post! I love how you have saved all of those little trinkets and tokens...you and I really are kindred souls, MIL! :o) Most of all I love you and Bucky!

Happy Anniversary (a day late)!

Love, DIL

P.S. I love that the grammar and spelling guru misspelled 'anniversary'. That makes me smile! So uncharacteristic of him!

[Pat]

Happy 42 nd Anniversary Dana! I loved your story!It was very similar to mine except I'll be married 36 years this October. We planned and paid for everything ourselves and when I think back I wouldn't change a thing!

I love that you saved all the mementos from your happy day!

[Joan @ Applejack Lane]

Congratulations on 42 years! I hope you remind your fellow how lucky he is that you married him and the Stone Rabbit is a product of your union.

[Jillian (Jill)]

Oh Dana this was such a LOVELY LOVELY post! You were such a pretty bride...I love so many things about your wedding. Your gown story, the things you've saved, your courtship, well, just about everything! Happy Anniversary to you and your awesome hubbby!

[Pat H]

Congratulations! Love your Beautiful post...This is soooo similar to mine. Bridesmaids yellow with daisy. Roses with daisy. Cake white with daisy yellow, and white mints,nuts punch in the church basement. (NO AC) June 22, 1968!!!!! Wow where did the time go??? Hugs Pat

[Sandy]

Happy 42nd Anniversary Dana (& hubby) - such a sweet post and so neat you saved those special items.

[CurtissAnn]

How fortunate we are, Dana, to have stayed married. There is no other way to get what we have now. And thank you for sharing your journey, and encouraging the rest of us! I made my dress, too, and still have it! I do think small weddings are the best. Congratulations to you both!

[Jean]

Dana, What a lovely bride you were and your dress is amazing! You sentimental sweetie - I love how you have saved everything! Thank you for sharing your memories with us.

Love,
Jean

[Rosie from Raymore]

Congrats on 42 years. I think your husband is a very lucky man, and you must have picked a winner!

Many, many more happy years to both of you.

Raymore Rosie

[Betty Jo]

Ohhhhhh Dana! Happy Belated Anniversary!! I too hope you have many, many, many more years together. What a beautiful, beautiful story. It brought tears to my eyes. Your wedding photo is wonderful and you are just gorgeous in your beautiful gown. By all means, hang on to those ring boxes, and other precious mementoes. I wish I still had our boxes. Big Hugs Sweet Friend!! ♥