November 6, 1954

Seventy years ago, on November 6, 1954, my parents were married. It was a small wedding in Mom's family home. The bridesmaid was Mom's best friend, and the best man was Dad's brother. The weather was nice for November as witnessed in the picture. Grandma Dempsey had made Mom's dress and her going away suit. Grandma was such an accomplished seamstress. She even made the pattern for the suit, and probably the wedding dress.  

Mom and Dad stayed true to their marriage vows for 52 years. They did love and cherish each other through sickness and health until death, did they part. We said good-bye to Dad in 2006. Dad was a World War II veteran and a TB survivor. He had extensive damage to his lungs, but that never stopped him from living life to the fullest. For the last 10 years of his life, he depended on oxygen to help him with the quality of his life. For Dad to live to be 84 years old and celebrate his 52nd Anniversary was just short of a miracle. 

Mom has gone on alone for the last 18 years. For 70 years she has worn her wedding rings. Recently, they had gotten too big, and she took them off in fear of losing them. Her hand just didn't look right without those rings. I am sure it felt strange to her, and the solution was to get them sized. They are back in their rightful place, where they have been for 7 decades.   

We did honor Mom and Dad's milestone anniversaries in a variety of ways. On their 25th Anniversary we invited family and friends to their home. We set up the garage to share a meal and memories. When Mom and Dad celebrated their 40th Anniversary we had a "Casino Night" in the Hall. The grandchildren ran the tables, and everyone had "Dixon Bucks" for the auction later. By the time their 50th Anniversary arrived, they had moved to their retirement home at Cari-Villa. The activity room was the perfect place to invite the community to come and share tea with them.   

Celebrating 50 years

Today, I am spending the day with Mom. I feel this is a milestone that we need to celebrate and honor. We will visit the cemetery and say hello to Dad. I like to go to visit my dad's final resting place. Some people don't get comfort in doing that, but Mom and I do.   

As a rule, I am not the type of person that honors dates after death. I usually do it quietly by keeping that person in my mind, remembering them in my own way. Now that Mom is 90 years old, I look at celebrations and milestone events differently. Today being one of those days. I have come to realize that 70 years ago when Mom and Dad got married, staying married was the only option. 

A 70th Anniversary is referred to as a "Platinum Anniversary". Platinum is a very rare metal and is symbolic of endurance. The chrysanthemum is the traditional flower for a 70th Anniversary. The statistics for couples to reach such a milestone is rare at 0.1%. I only know one couple that has celebrated their 70th Anniversary, and for them and their family, what a wonderful occasion. 

I have really enjoyed writing this tribute to my parents. It is always fun to dig up memories and old pictures. If today is a day you need to celebrate something, you are welcome to celebrate my parents 1954 wedding day.