Our 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration

I'm interrupting the photos from our recent trip to New York City, to share photos from our 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration that took place last Saturday, 50 years to the date.

June 11, 1966 - June 11, 2016

We were the second wedding in the newly constructed First United Methodist Church in Wyandotte, Michigan - the town where my hubby and I grew up and met in high school - about 35 miles south of where we currently live.  The candlelight ceremony was at 6:00 p.m.

Our three children told us several months ago not to plan anything on our anniversary date, because they were going to do something special. We never dreamed they'd plan a celebration back in our hometown, in the same church and fellowship hall!

Last Saturday was sunny and warm just like it was in 1966.  Our wonderful next door neighbors of 38 years began the day of surprises by coming over around 11:00 a.m. with flowers, a bottle of non-alcoholic bubbly, and a yummy cake.

A few days earlier a thoughtful friend in Pennsylvania sent us two Royal Albert 50th Anniversary teacups, and another friend in California send edible gold dust to sprinkle in our celebration tea.

At 5:30 p.m. our wonderful friends, Rick and Lori, picked us up to take us to the destination that was unbeknownst to us.  Lori has been with me on many of the tea outings I've blogged about, so you'll recognize her.  "Friends are the family you choose." ~ Jess C. Scott

We arrived at the church around 6:15 and saw our youngest grandchildren anxiously awaiting our arrival on the steps of the church fellowship hall.

In the photo below, John, granddaughter Tiffany's husband, was playing pre-ceremony music in the sanctuary while family and friends awaited our arrival. Granddaughter, Isabella, looked on. She read the scripture later in the ceremony.

It was Déjà Vu - except instead of my Dad walking me down the aisle, it was my youngest son, Jeremy. [I hope my Dad was able to look down from Heaven and watch the celebration because he would have loved it!  He was always so tenderhearted, and cried when he walked me down the aisle.]  The church wasn't as full as it was in 1966, but we celebrated with those closest to us. Granddaughters Isabella and Ellie preceded us down the aisle as flower girls.

Jerry stood on the platform with his brother, Brian, who was best man 50 years ago, waiting for us to approach the altar.  Our middle son, Steve, [an ordained minister] did the officiating since the minister who married us went to Heaven many years ago.  No tuxedo for Jerry this time around. We were told to dress casual.

My best friend, Sandy, was my Maid of Honor in 1966, and she participated in this ceremony too.

We renewed our vows and are ready to begin working towards our 75th Wedding Anniversary!  ;-)

Our children sang a trio arrangement, "Loving God, Loving Each Other".  It was videoed, and if possible, I will try to add it to this post later.  It was my only request of the entire evening, so they consented with much trepidation.  They needn't have feared, however, because they all have lovely voices, and it was beautiful.

Jerry and I both looked on with pride [the good kind].  Lori also read a beautiful poem.

Sealed with a kiss and a hug!

Then back down the aisle to the fellowship hall for the reception - just like 50 years ago!

Everyone held hands for the blessing before the meal - which was a tossed salad, pasta salad, rolls, chicken marsala, roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, and corn.  I was too excited and overwhelmed to remember to take a picture of my plate.  

Our daughter did a beautiful job decorating the tables and chairs.  The colors were white, gold, and pink - gold for golden anniversary, and pink was the theme color of our wedding. Pink and white vases filled with fresh pink roses and baby's breath were placed on each table as centerpieces. 

My brother, Dan, who was in our wedding as a groomsman.

My dear girlfriend Elaine, and her husband, Dan, who I've known since grade school. Elaine was a bridesmaid in our wedding.  She just had knee-replacement surgery two weeks before this celebration, so was a real trooper for coming.  So grateful she did!

Sandy [maid of honor] with husband, Terry.

~ Brian [best man] and wife, Linda ~

~ Jeremy and Samantha ~

~ Steve and Sharon ~

~ Tiffany and John ~

~ Granddaughters Brianna, Brooke, and Marissa ~

The anniversary cake with the original 50 year old "topper."  It's yellowed with age, so was the right color for our 50th!  ;-)

 ~Cutting the cake and feeding it to each other ~

Then we watched a fabulous video/DVD that Jeremy made of our 50 years together.  I wish I could show it to you.  It made me tear-up more than once.

All good things must come to an end, and so did this perfect evening.  Our son, Jeremy, worked diligently to re-create our 2016 departure photo to match the one 50 years ago, and he succeeded! He said he thinks I'm shorter now. [And heavier too - my comment, not his. ;-)] Our granddaughter, Brooke, posted the comparison pictures on Facebook later that evening.

After most of our friends departed a few family pictures were taken.  Below is our firstborn child, Lori, and she's been everything a parent hopes and dreams of in a child. Actually, the other two have been too. God has blessed us beyond measure with our children, their spouses, and our grandchildren.

Lori's two daughters, Marissa and Tiffany, and Tiffany's husband, John.  Her oldest son, Brandon, was out-of-town so couldn't be with us.  

~ Steve, Sharon, Brianna and Brooke ~

~ Jeremy, Samantha, Isabella, Landon, and Ellie ~

~ All the "grands" minus Brandon ~

Words can't express how grateful we are to our family and friends for making our 50th Wedding Anniversary so memorable.  We love you all!