Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad -- 57 Years

Fifty-seven years ago today, March 19, 1951, my parents were married in the Salt Lake Temple. Then Elder Harold B. Lee (a good friend of the family) officiated. Dad was just about to graduate in mechanical/civil engineering from the University of Utah, and Mom was working full time as an administrative secretary for Salt Lake Knitting. They had a nice reception at the Yale Ward and then they were off to Las Vegas for a short honeymoon. It was spring break at the "U" so that meant back to school when the honeymoon ended. A few months later, Dad was drafted and reported to Fort Lewis, Washington for basic training and then Fort Ord, California for additional training. Fortunately, Dad was assigned stateside for his tour of duty in the military, and Mom was able to join him at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. I think the years in New Jersey were some of the best -- time together, away from family, totally on their own. Neither Mom nor Dad hesitate to share their New Jersey experiences.

My parents have had a good, strong marriage largely celebrated by hard work, church and community service, their eight children and their spouses, grandchildren and their spouses, and great-grandchildren. (Mom would argue that all of her grandchildren are "great-grandchildren.") In my fifty plus years, I have never heard Dad make an unkind or curse remark or comment to Mom. However, on occasion Mom has set Dad straight on a few issues, but nothing serious -- that's just the way she is. They are awesome examples to all of us -- I think we number fifty now.