70 Years

 
My Granddad and Grandma in 1940                                   

On November 17, 1940, around 2:30 P.M. my grandparents were married at First Baptist Church, Gentry, Arkansas.  The 2:00 scheduled ceremony was held up due to my grandma running a little behind. 

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Their relationship began when my grandmother was 14 (almost 15), a high school freshman, and Granddad was a senior.  Granddad had asked my grandmother's slightly older sister out on a date to go see a 3-Act Medicine Show that had come to town.  Right before my granddad left to pick up his date, his cousin rolled into town and asked if he could go along for the ride.  My granddad obliged and when arriving at his date's house asked if she would be alright accompanying his cousin for the show instead and requested her younger sister go as his date.  My grandma was in the next room and overheard the conversation and very excitedly accepted the offer.  After that first date, Granddad and Grandma dated for one year.  Then they broke up for one year while my granddad went along with his older brother to Oregon to help pick potatoes.  When he returned to Arkansas in November 1939, Grandma was a senior in high school.  They began to date again and on New Year's Eve, Granddad proposed to my grandma.  They waited until November 17 to wed. 

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After arriving fashionably late at the church, Grandma wore a lovely teal blue dress and hat that she had bought in Tulsa, Oklahoma, for her special day.  She entered the church holding tight to her fiance's arm.  The pulpit adorned ferns for the occasion and pink crepe paper decorated the pulpit and pews.  Wildflowers were planned to be used too, but unfortunately had not held up to the prior week's frost.  Seventy-five people attended the ceremony and watched as Mr. and Mrs. Ray Barnett walked out of the church arm-in-arm.  Afterwards, my grandmother's sister gave a reception in her home for the bride, groom, and their guests. 

They had no predetermined plan for their honeymoon, but got in their car and drove to Neosho, Missouri, for the evening.  After honeymooning, they returned home and lived with my grandmother's parents on their orchard/farm for three months and then lived in the farmhouse after my great-grandparents moved into town. 

A little over a year later Japan attacked Pearl Harbor beginning WWII and drastically changing my grandparents lives.  My grandfather served in Okinawa, Japan, and praise God returned home safely to become a Baptist minister and help raise what would become his family of 7 children. 

Today my grandparents have the rare opportunity to celebrate their 70th anniversary together.  I have the honor of being the 3rd of their 19 grandchildren and have 3 children of my own who are getting to know their great-grandparents.  What I most admire in my grandparents is their faithfulness -- to each other and to God.  I am convinced there is no moment when God is not at the center of their actions.  They are committed, dedicated, trusting, and devoted to one another.  What a true privilege God has provided them with -- 70 precious years together.  I am blessed to have such a heritage and example set before me.

HAPPY 70TH ANNIVERSARY GRANDDAD & GRANDMA!!!!!

 
My Granddad and Grandma on October 9, 2010              

Comments

[Aunt Jane]

Ashley, what a wonderful tribute to your grandparents. You did a great job in condensing what could be a very long article into a short but very sweet script about their life together. We are all privileged and blessed to still have them in our lives.

[Mom]

Thank you, Ashley, for honoring your grandparents with their story and sharing it with your family and friends. Their 70 years together is a beautiful gift to us. God bless you for taking the time to record their story. Love, Mom

[Renee]

What a joy to read a bit of your family history in their love story! I can't help but smile and be touched by their 70 years together when so many today do not consider marriage to be for a lifetime. What a blessing!

[Dad]

Beautifully done, Ashley! You have honored your grandparents with these special, heartfelt words.

Dad