Thirty three years ago. on a sunny Saturday in Portland, Oregon, Charlie and I brought our lives, our three children and one dog together “until death do us part.” We had very traditional vows(minus the obey) and a simple ceremony at a Friends church in front of around 100 friends and family. We hosted a very low key, alcohol free reception in the church basement complete with nuts, coffee, punch and wedding cake. The church women decorated the tables and cleaned up for us.
We had some idea of the obstacles before us, each entering into our second marriage with children from the first. Our pastor had taken us through over a year of weekly premarital sessions making sure there was nothing we hadn’t discussed before we said “I do.” But we had yet to live with each other which was sure to present new challenges. Fortunately the congregation in a Quaker ceremony basically weds the couple and promises to support them in their marriage. Especially during that first year we leaned heavily on fellow congregants to do just that.
We have weathered a lot but are still thriving together. Our kids are in their forties now, on their own. We are looking for a new puppy to replace our recent loss of Grace. We own our home, a couple of cars and the accumulation of many years of treasured art and possessions.
I would do it again in a heartbeat.
What a blessing! Happy Anniversary! 🙂
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Thanks so much.
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Wonderful! Happy Anniversary.
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Thanks. I guess I should have penned an anniversary limerick.
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Congratulations yo you both on a memorable milestone, Elizabeth.
Here’s to fifty years! 🙂
Best wishes, Pete.
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We sure hope so.
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What a lovely love story! Happy Anniversary!⚘
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Thanks. And all true.
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Wonderful! Happy Anniversary, Elizabeth
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Fantastic!
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Good for you! Here’s wishing you 30 more years of “weathered” – I mean WEDDED – bliss! 😉
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Both for sure!
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Happy Anniversary, Elizabeth! Your reflection is warm and loving. My cousin became a Quaker, and his wedding at an old Friends church is one I will never forget. For a lover of history and architecture, sitting in the old church with floor to ceiling windows was, well, humbling. Then, there was the ceremony. It was not what I expected. People were encouraged to stand and speak. The whole ceremony focused on the congregation saying beautiful words to the bride and groom, and showing their love and support. And then, there was the signing of the certificate. This might be the wrong word. The line was long, and everyone was eager to sign. Did that happen in your wedding?
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Yes. We got a certificate signed by all. I loved the simplicity of the ceremony. My work colleagues were a little thrown off by the silence!
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Ah! Yes, the simplicity and quiet. It was delightful, and also a surprise.
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What a beautiful testimony Elizabeth! Bless you both on your anniversary,
Jennifer
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Thanks. Yes it took a lot of grace!
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Congratulations, Elizabeth. The best line is that you would do it all over again in a heartbeat. We’ll be hitting thirty-five years in about six weeks.
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It is worth celebrating, isn’t it!
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Congratulations on 33 years! Happy Anniversary to you both.
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Thanks. We had a lovely day at home.
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Congratulations, Happy Anniversary to you and your family
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Thanks very much.
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Happy Anniversary. It is wonderful to see couples that are together for a good length of time. It is testimony to the love.
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Thanks. I know you know about it first hand!
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Happy Anniversary! We are less than a year ahead of you!
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It’s a great length so far I think. Blessings to you two.
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Happy anniversary! Wishing you two a continued lifetime of happiness!
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Thanks.
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It sounds like you have a wonderful marriage, Elizabeth.
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We do. Thanks Robbie.
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Congratulations !
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Belated congratulations, Elizabeth. Wishing you both many more wonderful years together 💕
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Thanks.
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Wishing you both a belated happy wedding anniversary! 💚
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Mazel Tov on your milestone anniversary. May you have many many more years of joy.
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Thanks so much.
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We wish you both wonderful years ahead. Liked the photo and the cake 😊
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Thanks so much. You and I both enjoy long good marriages.
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Congratulations! With the divorce rate higher than ever, the commitment of you and your husband to make sure that your marriage continues to work after 33 years is inspiring.
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Thank you. We owe it all to that premarriage counseling.
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