The "50th Anniversary of the Newlyweds" Story

It was an ordinary day. Checking the Sunday News and when I turned to the last inside page of the "Perspective" section, there was a photo of my Aunt Lois and Uncle John. Seems like they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary last month ...... and I didn't know about it! Kinda feel bad, but even though we communicate all the time and I see them a couple of times a month, we don't mention anniversaries and birthdays that much. I do know that Lois celebrates her birthday the end of January, since we are only a year and a half apart in age. My mom and I lived with my Grandma and Grandpap for a couple of years when I was born, since my dad was in the Army, and I got to play with her all the time. We would visit 617 S. Prince Street in Lancaster city on a regular basis and Lois would visit with my family on the other end of town at 929 N. Queen St. from time to time. Remember the first time I met John. Lois and I were both in high school at the time and I was visiting my Grandpap when Lois and John arrived for a meal with my family. Neatest guy I thought. Had a beautiful white '59 Chevy Impala with the neatest wings in the rear. Soon as dinner was over we went for a ride in the Chevy. Headed south on Prince St. towards the south end of the Lancaster county where John lived. We seemed to be flying over the back roads. Hey, we were young and carefree and thought we were indestructible. At least John did! What a day. Over the years we got together often. I was in their wedding in 1962 when I was a senior in high school. When I started dating Carol they were some of the first relatives that we visited. I wanted to impress my new girlfriend! And, it worked. We would visit them in Mt. Nebo and one weekend John helped me rebuild my '58 Impala engine. Same engine that he had in his '59 a few years before. Get-togethers, picnics and children followed. I now get to see them often when we both visit with my mom and her sister at Moravian Manor in Lititz, PA where she is a resident. You did figure out that they are the same person, right. Well, it's hard to believe that they have been married 50 years. I can still remember the summer evenings when John and I laid under my car at midnight with trouble lights to get the engine done before the weekend was over. To celebrate their anniversary they are going to take a trip through the South to New Orleans, Florida, Kentucky (their oldest son lives in Madisonville), and finish along a couple of east coast beaches. Talked with them last night and they are excited for their travels. Told them that I often was hesitant about putting my Carol and my photo in the paper when we celebrate 50, since most photos make the people look really old. I know they really are old, but that's what I worry about. Told her her and John gave me hope when I saw their photo. Wow, they look just like they always did. Best of luck to the 50-year newlyweds. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.