Last Friday was my 49th wedding anniversary. We were married on a beautiful Saturday evening in central Pennsylvania. It was a simple wedding with family and close friends, and a punch and cookies reception in the church basement. That is the way you did it then. We left late that evening for a honeymoon to New York and Cape Cod... kind of ironic that we now live in the metropolitan area and vacation in Cape Cod.
Forty nine terrific years. Two sons, (one born in Florida and one in Ohio), served several churches, did three years of clinical training, and started the Montclair Counseling Center. While the boys were in high school and college, Judy earned her BSN, became a Head Nurse and is now at Valley Hospital, Dept. of Education, Ridgewood. And we now are the proud grandparents of 7 grandchildren from age 5 to 17.
Life has been lots of work and lots of fun; times we were broke and times when we could go out to dinner. There were periods of stress and of great satisfaction. We have truly been blessed. God has clearly opened doors, walked with us, been a source of tremendous strength, and gave us renewed love every day for 49 years.
There are a few verses in Proverbs that clearly point to the secret of our marriage:
A capable wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
She does him good all the days of her life
She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And the teachings of kindness is on her tongue.
Many women have done excellently,
But you surpass them all.
Selected verses from Proverbs 31
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