Today, January 6th, would have been my 39th wedding anniversary. I have spent two hours this morning searching for wedding photos and these are all I can come up with. The above one is me, preparing to put on my wedding dress. I was (gulp) 18 years young.
Here is my husband, who was in the Navy at the time so he wore his dress uniform to be married in, he is kissing my Mom. We were young and poor so we didn't have a professional photographer, just relied on family and friends to take and share photos with us.
Here are members of my family, waiting for the ceremony which was at a little place called Chapel of the Chimes and performed by a Justice of the Peace.
As you can see, I didn't have any family members who were professional photographers or even very good photographers. That one is my Bridesmaid Ellen and of course, me. I wasn't pregnant, just foolish and in love. Danny was about to be shipped off to some where so of course we had to get married. That's what we did back in those days.
We were married about a year and a half and then Danny was killed in a civilian accident. He was 22 years old. I often wonder what my life would have been like had he not been killed. He came from a family of 13 children so I likely would have had some children with him. As it is, I never did, not by him nor anyone else.
Happy anniversary, Danny. RIP.
33 comments:
That made me cry, especially with your music. Jan. 6th must be a very hard day for you.
Youthful love...embrace the joy you remember in your heart. I can not imagine how painful this must have been for you dear one. I too married at 19..a bit older.. during the Vietnam war and I was a virgin in so many ways ...totally unprepared for a commitment during these treacherous times. I am sending you a loving hug to wrap around a weary heart. I wish you peace. We never forget our first love. Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart
Oh gosh! Made me cry too!! So young and in love and it ended so quickly and so tragically. It must have been horribly hard for you. I'm so sorry Jan! Huge hugs to you Jan!! I'm sure he's somewhere smiling at you!!
What a touching tribute! We always will remember our first loves won't we!
Sweet Jan,
Happy Anniversary!! A very special day in your life that you will never forget. I am sorry that things ended so tragically at such a young age. I'm sure you do wonder what might have been...
I married at 22 ~ So much has happened in my life since that day ~ where has all the time gone?
I enjoyed the photos you posted. Fun to look at, aren't they?
Take care, Jan. Treasure those memories.
♥ audrey
This is a very poignant post. I'm glad you shared a little piece of you with us.
xx, Carol
What if? Who knows. All I see is the beautiful soul you have become and I am grateful you have touched my life.
What a beautiful post - thanks for sharing your feelings and photos.
What a touching post Jan. When I saw the first photo, I thought it was you NOW! (yes, you still look that good)
It's nice to see a photo of your hubby, and there is indeed a charm to pics taken by nonprofessionals~~you get the feeling you were there.
Big hugs to you my dear friend. We always wonder about the *what-if* life (as I do sometimes).....but our current ones are pretty good too.
Much love~~♥
Anne
Such a beautiful post. Your wedding photos may not have been taken by a professional but they're wonderful just the same. I don't have any photos at all of my wedding and can't remember much about the day. Three weeks after the wedding my hubby was sent to Vietnam. I remember that day very well. Happy anniversary Jan.
Oh Jan, I'm so sorry too. You caught us. Something that i didn't expect to read. Love the old photos and memories. yes, he's looking down and proud of who you've become.
Lovely to look back at happy times Jan, even though they are now tinged with a sense of sadness.
You are very brave Jan. Family and friends photographs capture so many things that organized ones do not, all the more happy memories.
Heartstrings and memories. Once again you have woven a beautiful piece for us to look at. The photos of such an innocent time of joy and then the close of that life together cut short. No wonder at the what ifs.....
This is so precious a gem to have shared with us. I am humbled. Sending hugs and maybe a bit of sympathy for the pain because I hurt for you. Oma Linda
Dear Sis,
I can remember the day myself however I never realized that so many years have gone by! I still remember him passing away and I dont think that I had ever cried so much. I never knew that you could cry until you had no tears left. I think about you often sis and miss you. Always know I love you and your a wonderful and talented woman!
Your little sister.
Your dress looked beautiful, Jan. And wasn't Ellen's dress wild. I recognize her in the first photo, just behind your hubby. Your story made me cry, too, Jan. But what sweet memories you have. It does make one wonder what life would have been like had things been different...he must have felt blessed to have you as his wife. You obviously loved him very much. Keep those sweet memories!!!
Oh sweet Jan my heart goes out to you in this post. Truly beautiful; those memories, that love. And loved your Christmas gifts and oh just loved the cattle and animals you were taking care of. You are a remarkable woman.
Even if you were 'just foolish & in love' you obviously did the right thing by siezing the day & having that small precious time with your first love. Lovely memories & such realistic photos. x
Oh wow Jan, I didn't know. What a lovely tribute to Danny. Happy Anniversary. xox Corrine
Oh Jan how sad .....what a wonderful day you had though and not young and foolish just two people in love what could be more special than that...xx
Oh Jan, my heart goes out to you. You may have had just a short time together, but it was obviously very precious. And so are those memories.
Sending a big hug to you today.
XXX
PS I saw your Dooleybobber in real life....its fab!!
hugs for this sad time of year for you.
You wanted to know what the bulbs were that I photographed yesterday I think they are tulips but wont know till Spring!
Remembering those who we loved is one way of keeping them close. You had the 'real thing'. Thank you for sharing that part of your life.
Dear Jan,
Your story touched my heart and soul.
I too was married young..18 yrs. My father died that same day.
the marriage did not last..but I do have three sons and now grandchildren. We go on with our lives the best way we can with the best thinking we had at that point in our lives.
We never know what the next journey in our life will be...but, we make the most of it. You my friend have made a good life for yourself and I am so glad I met you.
Love and Hugs,
Susan
Oh Jan that let's me feel so blue reading your post.
:( but also :) for you too.
Your story touched me. It seems so unfair for a young couple to be separated by death. How cruel life can be at times. I hope these years have brought you many happy memories despite your tragic loss.
What a touching story you were a beautiful bride and I am sure it was a comfort to him to have you waiting for him to come home. Sorry he had such a tragic end to his young life. Hugs
As you can tell, I haven't stopped by for a bit...
I loved your post. It is so hard when the love of your life is taken from you so young. There is nothing like young love and finding that person who is your true soul mate...thinking back. It is a beautiful story and one that will be in your memory forever.
Much love dear friend.
Jan, thank you for sharing your memories and photos. I wish I could remember Dan - guess I was pretty young then. He must have a pretty special guy for you to have loved him like you did. You never know where life will take you, huh? What a journey.
I remember this day Jan. You were a beautiful bride! So hard to believe it when such awful things - like losing your loved one - happen in life, changing everything. You would've made beautiful babies!
That time was so precious. Your photos are more wonderful than posed professional photos - really brings that time home for me too! and brings a few tears too. Thank you for sharing this.
Olivia
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