Sunday, August 31, 2014

Well, We Did It

What did we do?  We made it to 40yrs of marriage today!  We celebrated with family back in June and I posted about it and shared pics.  My #2 son made a video that compressed those 40yrs into 12 minutes! It's really sweet, cute, funny, and reinforces  how fast time goes.  It brought tears to my eyes.  Made me ask the age old questions...."Where did those crazy kids go?"...."When did we get this age?"  Here's a few steps back in time:
The first date photo taken by my sweet Aunt Gwen...it was a blind date and I knew Jack all of 5 minutes.....aren't we color coordinated nicely?  It was fate I think!
Of course there's the wedding party.....Mom made my dress and all the bridesmaid's dresses...my sister was Maid of Honor and she also helped in the making of the dresses.  Sewing was never a talent I had!
Walking down the isle had me smiling and for some reason Jack looked scared!
My cool Dad sang to Mom and me...so sweet!  I sure wish he could be here today to see that we actually made it! Ha! He kept saying to me all the way down the isle.."You can back out any time. " And he meant it! 
We cut the cake...
And we "Hokey Pokeyied" with the best of them!
We stood on the balcony of our first apartment and waved to the future....
But marriages aren't just the dresses, the ceremony, the party, or the cake...not even the hokey pokey....they are the shared moments of a lifetime...ones steeped in happiness, children, sad times, busy times, career, finances, stress, companionship, good health and bad, gray hair and wrinkles and the tough decisions along with the easy ones.  Put all that in a mixer and it turns into a marriage that has survived these past 40yrs with the thought that I'd do it all over again....Happy Anniversary Jack!


21 comments:

joanne said...

beautiful pics, beautiful couple...welcome to the '40' club and congratulations.

PoetessWug said...

Happy Anniversary Jack and Yaya!!! :-] Being 32 years into my own marriage, I totally agree with your last statement on the blog today. Marriage has a lot of wonderful...A lot of not so wonderful...and a lot of "Isn't it wonderful that we can do this together". ♥♥♥ Here's my gift to you...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5LnpErE6f4

May another 40 be in your future, Jehovah willing. :-]

Shady Del Knight said...

Now you have me all verklempt, dear YaYa. That video presentation must have triggered a thousand memories for you and Jack and your post has stirred my emotions. What a sweet, lovely girl you were, Kathleen. What a great couple you made and what a wonderful marriage and delightful family has resulted from this union. Congratulations on your 40th anniversary - 40 years of commitment - 40 years of love, joy, sorrow, grief, patience, tolerance, teamwork, cooperation, negotiation, hard work and sacrifice. I wish you and Jack many more years together, dear friend, all of them happy!

acorn hollow said...

Oh the fro and the pants had me laughing! Did you have your first day at a family party?
We are at 39 this year I do think David may have worn plaid pants and leisure suits a time or two.
Happy anniversary! Here is to many many more
Cathy

joeh said...

I had a pair of favorite golf pants just like that first date photo.

40 years is great, congratulations.

I am married 40 years as well, except it took me 45 years and 3 women to do it.

rjerdee said...

Congratulations to you and Jack, dear Kathy!

Nonnie said...

Congratulations to you both! That is a great feat these days. Love the old pics and especially your wedding photos. The dresses are beautiful. Hard to believe we thought those clothes looked good.
You are a lovely couple ... Then and now.

Julia said...

Congratulations on 40 years to both of you on this milestone. I love the photos and and I wish I could see the video.

I remember those types of polyester plaid pants, just like the Brady Bunch used to wear on the show.

Wishing you many more years together.
Hugs,
JB

gin said...

Just Beautiful! Happy Anniversary!
Your words are so perfect about a marriage. We will make 40years next month. Enjoy y'all's beautiful day.

betty said...

Happy anniversary to the two of you! Congrats on making it to 40 years! You made and make a great looking couple! I'm amazed at your mom/sister making the dresses, seems like lots of work!

betty

Kim said...

Congratulations!! Those photos are so much fun. Hey, does Jack still have those cool pants hews wearing on your first date ?? ;)

Sweet Tea said...

I absolutely loved this post with all the photos. Loved the first photo of Jack rockin' those plaid pants!! (We've got similar photos too!). My wedding was not nearly as elaborate as yours but my Mom made my wedding dress too and the attendants wore yellow. Sweet, sweet memories. Congrat's on making it to 40 yrs - a BIG accomplishment!

Kay G. said...

Happy Anniversary to a wonderful couple! 40 years, that's fantastic.
All those dresses handmade for your wedding! So beautiful and special. I LOVE the photos that you shared here, thank you.

Hilary said...

Awww how sweet is that! You still look like a young puppy. Happy Anniversary to you and Jack. Wishing you many, many more. :)

selvageedge said...

You two make an awesome couple. Congratulations! I'm glad you didn't back out. ;)

Wild Oregonian said...

This is the sweetest thing I've seen in a long time. Thanks for sharing- I love the dresses and your beautiful wedding photos! Brought a tear to my eyes. <3

Willow said...

Happy Anniversary to a wonderful couple !!
This was just great I loved the stroll .
The photo of you and Jack sitting on the couch, had me thinking you were cast right into the 70's show !!
LOVE it !
Here's to many more hand in hand, happy years .

Scriptor Senex said...

A belated Happy Anniversary to you both!
Your Mom must have been a really hard and skilled worker to have made such beautiful dresses.

Susan Anderson said...

So much fun to see photos and read about such a great couple. Loved this.

And happy anniversary!!

=D

Sush said...

Happy Anniversary Cathy! Forty years what a happy life! We celebrate our 43rd this December and you are so right the time has just flown! I love the photo review, how thoughtful of your son to put it in motion!

Congrats!

Laurie said...

Oh my gosh, I loved this! So sweet. And you still look like the happy couple you started out as. Happy belated anniversary!