Friday January 11, 2019 I woke up very early. The weather report said it was -12 Celsius with a wind chill of -20! Brrrrrrr. But this is Canada in winter.
January 11, 1969 was on a Saturday. When I awoke then it was already 28 Celsius with a projected high of 30! But this is Jamaica in winter.
The coincidence did not escape me. Fifty years married and a 50 degree difference in temperature.
On Friday, January 11, 2019 my Bert and I celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary with 50 close friends. It was a Golden night, a night filled with love and Light.
The setting was special, decorated in gold and white. The dinner was marvellous. The toasts were heartfelt and warm and so eloquently delivered. Best of all was the love that seemed to permeate every corner of the room.
I saw friends making friends. I saw smiles, heard joyous laughter, saw caring glances and chuckled at the comments made at our ‘before’ and ‘after’ photographs.
It was a night to reminisce. Fifty years is a long time together for any couple. During that time we loved, we argued, we worked, we had successes, we had failures, we gave, we received, and we brought two wonderful children into the world. We mourned, we hoped, we laughed, we always laughed. We travelled the world, we helped, we got help, and we supported and received support.
It was a celebration of friendship. Throughout our lives my Bert and I have been blessed with the most wonderful friends. We are so grateful for that so decided we would do our best to have some of them share in our joy and to let them know how much they mean to us. They were representative of so many more whose influence and guidance and love have helped to make us who we are.
It was a night of family and friends who are family in every sense of the word. There were some we missed, but who were with us in spirit. Our best man at our wedding could not be with us in person but he was with us in song as his recording of The Prayer was played. At our age some who wanted to be with us could not for a variety of reasons but we still felt their love.
The highlights are many. The wonderful paean from our dear friend; the tribute from our beloved son; the reading of Sonnet 44 Elizabeth Barrett Browning ‘s How Do I Love Thee.
However, the greatest moment of sheer immediate and spontaneous laughter happened when we attempted to renew our vows. Our family friend and Minister had in perspicacity and necessity reduced the vows to a simple: “…Bert I ask you, do you still want to be married to your wife Paula?” Bert looked at him and said: “Let me think about that.” The laughter filled the room. I was in stitches as I thought: “That’s my Bert.” As usual, my Bert set the mood for the rest of the night. It was laughter, joy, Love and Light in the company of family and friends.
The Meander: My Bert and I opened the dancing with ‘our song’ Unchained Melody. As we danced, my Bert held me close and sang the words throughout to me. In our eyes was only love. Love endures.
Wish we could have been there. Sounds like a beautiful evening.
Yes, it was!
Congratulations on your anniversary, it sounds as though it was a wonderful, warm celebration.
WOW!! This story had me just speechless. Beautiful as always. Congratulations to you. You reached the golden anniversary. Not a lot of couples reach that milestone. That’s a special one.
You had a chance to celebrate that together, that’s a memory to hold onto. Definitley something to cherish. My parents were able to have that as well, courtesy of yours truly. A surprise party I threw for them. Neither could hardly believe it. Was an incredible night.
It’s nights like those where you can reminisce and get a little nostalgic too. Those are the true moments you can really smile and find joy.
You are indeed lucky and blessed to have found a love like you have with Bert. So few of us ever find that. Some of us(like yours truly) aren’t so lucky. I guess I can always live vicarisly through others right.
Anyways, just a beautiful tale of love and life lived by 2 extraordinary people.
I remember telling you that at first I was hesitant about doing this. Well, it was a golden night and I am so very happy I did it. Sometimes we can overthink and over analyse too much. This was one of the best things I could have done for my Bert and me. It was truly magical and it does not matter that he does not remember it. I have many mementos to remind him. We will not be lacking in conversation topics and that is good. Thanks for this lovely comment.
You are most definitely welcome Paula. You have a source of comfort and support to me, so the least I can do is be as equally supportive. So happy you both had a great party.
Oh, what a wonderful, loving, lovely post.
Congrats, Bert and Paula.
And yes, I’d have burst out laughing if I’d heard Bert say that too! How lovely that he sang the words to that special song as you danced.
Beautiful. Congratulations, you two!
Thank you. It was a moment to treasure and it was so my Bert. Must confess that during that dance it was just us. There was no one else in the room. Happy memories.
Beautiful, so beautiful! Many congratulations on 50 special years of love, laughter, respect, understanding and oh so much caring. xox
Thank you so much. It was a magical night. Memories are made of this and I will remember for two.
Paula you and Bert are golden 50 years or not.
Just like you and Everett. Golden all the way through.
So romantic, you two. This brought tears to my eyes. Love and congratulations.
Thank you, Kae. Must confess that as we danced to ‘our song’ and my Bert sang to me, for that moment there was no one else in the room. Just us.
Such a pleasure to be there and to share such a meaningful evening with you and your family and friends!
Yes, what a wonderful moment of spontaneous laughter when we all heard Bert say, “I’ll have to think about it.” Not for long though. The hearty “Yes!” a tribute to your 50 years together.
Would not have been complete without you.
Oh Paula: Happy anniversary to you and Bert.
Thank you! We made it!
It was a magical night. So honoured to have been there.
Love you both to the moon and back.
Hello, Miss gorgeous, so happy to see you enjoying yourself at the celebration. It was a night!
It was truly a wonderful occasion and I am feel so blessed to have been invited to share it with you Auntie Paula and Uncle Bert. I will always treasure being able to watch you and Uncle Bert dancing while he sang to you and the absolute love in both of your eyes. Brought tears to my eyes in a happy way of course. Love you both so much!
Glad to see you there and thanks for jollying uncle Bert along as only you can do! Great to see you and Mike dancing. Love you too, darling.