A week after we got back from the beach, my in-laws celebrated their 50th anniversary. We hosted a reception for them and it was an absolute blast! (Of course, there's not much in this family that isn't fun.) Donnie's great aunt Lib, (my mother-in-law's aunt) had a special gift for writing and wrote poems to commemorate a lot of events. She passed away several years ago, and for several years, literally, I've been trying to write a poem for my in-law's anniversary. Leave it to me to have YEARS to complete a task and literally finish it hours before the reception. I thought I would share it and a few pictures as a tribute to them and their love that stands the test of time with 4 children and 12 grandchildren. I'm really thankful that God's grace has allowed us to celebrate this with them.
Fifty Years
It was fifty years ago today
When the wedding march began to play,
And Doris and Jim exchanged their vows.
Then Preacher Buckner said, “You may kiss your bride now. “
That's not exactly where the story begins.
See back in high school they were friends,
And they dated a few times off and on.
Then Jim joined the service and to Maine he was gone.
There Jim was ready to see the world.
He had his eye on another girl,
And Doris went to work when she finished school.
It wasn't long before Jim realized she was a jewel.
Along came June of 1959
When Jim knew he had to walk the line.
He was a little late for the ceremony to start,
But that didn't stop Doris from giving him her heart.
They set out on their honeymoon
But it turns out there some extras in the room.
Namely Jim's aunt and his mother.
Boy, did that make a story like no other!
They settled into an apartment on Walker Street.
They didn't have much, but Doris kept it neat.
She wasn't much of a cook as a beginner,
But Jim thought her cakes were a real winner.
It wasn't long before they moved to Marwood Drive,
And there the young family began to thrive.
First there was Ricky, a blonde haired boy,
He was his parents first pride and joy.
Two years later, Kathy came along.
Little did they know she would fill their house with song.
Doris stayed at home and tended to those two.
Jim worked hard to provide for his crew.
They left Marwood for Saluda Street
Into a nice house, now that was a treat.
As with every family, there was some sadness along the way.
Some folks passed on that they miss to this day.
First there was Donald, Doris' older brother, in '62
And Jim's father died that year, too.
Doris' father died in 1968,
Yet through it all they held on to their faith.
When Kathy was six years old,
She got a new baby brother to hold.
Donnie was his name, after Doris' brother,
And I think he's like no other.
Then when Donnie was six as Kathy had been,
They added to their family again.
Michael was born, one final son.
And quickly his parent's (and sister's) hearts he won.
Life was busy but they were blessed.
Faith and family and values were stressed.
Ricky was in Demolay, Kathy played piano.
Donnie liked Little League and Michael played tennis like a pro.
It wasn't long before Ricky graduated.
He went on to get better educated.
First to North Greenville, then Baptist College.
He met his wife Laura while getting some knowledge.
Kathy was next to leave the nest.
She followed Ricky and said goodbye to the rest.
At Baptist College she met Jay Harvey
And before they knew it, he was part of this family.
Next began the grandparent phase.
For each one they gave God praise.
Erin, Shannon, Jennifer and Amy – four sweet little girls
They were the center of their parents' world.
Kaitlyn and Elizabeth made a half dozen.
Life was good with six little girl cousins
They lived in North Carolina, not far apart.
The girls were close, right from the start.
Granny died in 93 and Gina in 2003.
These were more sad times, you see.
But even though their bodies failed,
Their legacies have always prevailed.
Meanwhile Donnie and Michael finished school,
And they decided to play it cool,
Went off together like Ricky and Kathy had done.
At Charleston Southern they learned a lot and had fun.
They were roommates there and shared so much.
Now those two are always in touch
Donnie married Tracy while at CSU
Michael met Jamie and they were wed, too.
Soon more grandchildren were on the way
First came Hannah and cousin AJ
Then was Corey, Hannah's little brother and friend
And when Jacob came he made grandchild number ten.
Just when everyone thought they were through
Donnie and Tracy added another two.
Allie and Jon Tyler made an even dozen,
And there sure is a lot of love among those cousins.
So, a lot has happened in 50 years.
Some things brought laughter and some brought tears.
But through it all their love has grown,
And the faithfulness of God has surely shown.
Fifty Years
It was fifty years ago today
When the wedding march began to play,
And Doris and Jim exchanged their vows.
Then Preacher Buckner said, “You may kiss your bride now. “
That's not exactly where the story begins.
See back in high school they were friends,
And they dated a few times off and on.
Then Jim joined the service and to Maine he was gone.
There Jim was ready to see the world.
He had his eye on another girl,
And Doris went to work when she finished school.
It wasn't long before Jim realized she was a jewel.
Along came June of 1959
When Jim knew he had to walk the line.
He was a little late for the ceremony to start,
But that didn't stop Doris from giving him her heart.
They set out on their honeymoon
But it turns out there some extras in the room.
Namely Jim's aunt and his mother.
Boy, did that make a story like no other!
They settled into an apartment on Walker Street.
They didn't have much, but Doris kept it neat.
She wasn't much of a cook as a beginner,
But Jim thought her cakes were a real winner.
It wasn't long before they moved to Marwood Drive,
And there the young family began to thrive.
First there was Ricky, a blonde haired boy,
He was his parents first pride and joy.
Two years later, Kathy came along.
Little did they know she would fill their house with song.
Doris stayed at home and tended to those two.
Jim worked hard to provide for his crew.
They left Marwood for Saluda Street
Into a nice house, now that was a treat.
As with every family, there was some sadness along the way.
Some folks passed on that they miss to this day.
First there was Donald, Doris' older brother, in '62
And Jim's father died that year, too.
Doris' father died in 1968,
Yet through it all they held on to their faith.
When Kathy was six years old,
She got a new baby brother to hold.
Donnie was his name, after Doris' brother,
And I think he's like no other.
Then when Donnie was six as Kathy had been,
They added to their family again.
Michael was born, one final son.
And quickly his parent's (and sister's) hearts he won.
Life was busy but they were blessed.
Faith and family and values were stressed.
Ricky was in Demolay, Kathy played piano.
Donnie liked Little League and Michael played tennis like a pro.
It wasn't long before Ricky graduated.
He went on to get better educated.
First to North Greenville, then Baptist College.
He met his wife Laura while getting some knowledge.
Kathy was next to leave the nest.
She followed Ricky and said goodbye to the rest.
At Baptist College she met Jay Harvey
And before they knew it, he was part of this family.
Next began the grandparent phase.
For each one they gave God praise.
Erin, Shannon, Jennifer and Amy – four sweet little girls
They were the center of their parents' world.
Kaitlyn and Elizabeth made a half dozen.
Life was good with six little girl cousins
They lived in North Carolina, not far apart.
The girls were close, right from the start.
Granny died in 93 and Gina in 2003.
These were more sad times, you see.
But even though their bodies failed,
Their legacies have always prevailed.
Meanwhile Donnie and Michael finished school,
And they decided to play it cool,
Went off together like Ricky and Kathy had done.
At Charleston Southern they learned a lot and had fun.
They were roommates there and shared so much.
Now those two are always in touch
Donnie married Tracy while at CSU
Michael met Jamie and they were wed, too.
Soon more grandchildren were on the way
First came Hannah and cousin AJ
Then was Corey, Hannah's little brother and friend
And when Jacob came he made grandchild number ten.
Just when everyone thought they were through
Donnie and Tracy added another two.
Allie and Jon Tyler made an even dozen,
And there sure is a lot of love among those cousins.
So, a lot has happened in 50 years.
Some things brought laughter and some brought tears.
But through it all their love has grown,
And the faithfulness of God has surely shown.
Then...
...and now.
What 50 years will get you... We all got together a few weeks before the reception to have pictures made. They were phenomenal and I've never had so much fun taking pictures in all my life. A big thanks to Angel Gerbers for these!
I thought this was sweet of my nieces trying to pin the boutineer on their grandfather.
Cutting the cake.
One of the big surprises of the reception. Doris's cousin from Florida came up for the big event.
The day after we were at their house for Father's Day and my father in law told us that the reception was one of the highlights of their marriage. I think it only gives a small thing back for all they've given to us.
1 comment:
What a sweet thing to do for your family. Loved the poem!
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