It was a beautiful Saturday; sunny, warm, and very hopeful. We were married on that Saturday at 1:30 pm after knowing each other for only a year and a half! But love does some strange things to the plans you might have.
Several things to note: I had just turned 19 years old by just 3 days (July 30 is my birthday)...very young indeed as I look back. I told people I wasn't getting married until I was 26!!! Also, we chose 1:30 pm as the time for the ceremony because we wanted to be a little different than average weddings that start at 1 pm or 2 pm. Go figure...we've been different ever since.
Bill and I met at my friend's graduation party. He had just moved in to town in May 1974 and the pastor included him in that evenings event. At first I thought he was a very nice guy, but at the time I had my eye on my friends cousin! Don't ask, he seemed very exciting to me and a talented musician. I had visions of traveling to New York City together and becoming famous. What a strange little girl!
After getting to know Bill a little better I realized that God was up to something because I started looking for him during church services. We would sit together during church or, thanks to our pastor's wife, work on church projects together. One day I asked God if He wanted us to be together to have Bill come sit by me. (He was really shy then.) Guess what...he did! I was amazed and could hardly concentrate on pastors sermon.
We were involved in youth group together and helped plan a hayride at a local farm. One of the events for the evening was a scavenger hunt and while walking down the driveway looking for things...he took my hand! Oh my! I think my heart just stopped!!! That was September 1974.
Over the course of several months we continued getting to know each other. We were both involved in ministry at church: bus captains, nursing home services, Sunday school, etc. It was meant to be.
On a cold day in February he proposed, gave me a ring (beautiful), and I said, "yes". In light of this event we thought it would be good for me to meet his parents. At that time they lived in the Upper Penisula of Michigan about a 5 hour drive. It was great meeting them, even though communication was a little hard...Bill's mom only spoke Finnish. But we fell in love with each other, too! I remember Bill telling me that both of them said I had very beautiful eyes! How can you argue with that.
With our plans in full swing, we set a wedding date of August 2, 1975. We each chose three attendants, music, food, flowers, cake; you know! It was exciting as I said before.
That day is very fresh in our minds even though it's 37 years ago. We love each other even more today. We are confident in each others love and trust one another completely. There is no other person I would rather be with nor anywhere else.
So, here we are these many years later. Traveling, working, ministering, loving each other, and being together.
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