Tuesday, May 29, 2012

47 years ago today

The year was 1965. Mary Lee and I had just been pronounced "man and wife" by her uncle, Monsignor Don Hartnett, at Ste. Genevieve DuBois church in Ladue. My parents were there, her parents were there, and my dad's sisters from the Old Country were there, somewhat uncomfortable in a house of worship that had a large statue of Jesus hanging up front. They made it through the ceremony without fainting. So did I.


After a strictly first-class reception at Old Warson Country Club, Mary Lee and I climbed into my 1965 Olds Jetstar Convertible. Top up. Didn't want to mess up her hair. Or mine. We waited with friends at a hotel near the airport, then caught a plane for Las Vegas. Our honeymoon was storybook: 3 nights in Vegas at The Riviera, 2 nights at Disneyland (my choice), and a week and a half in Mexico (Mexico City and Taxco). What a grand beginning for our life adventure.


And now, here we are, still having fun, still in love, still seeking adventure, though maybe a little more cautiously. This includes trips to Chicago where Gregg lives, or New York to see Holly. 


I was lucky to find Mary Lee, even luckier when she said she'd marry me - even though she later confessed it was just to get out of her house. Our road has had some interesting twists and turns, which has just gone to make our lives more interesting and our marriage more solid. And she's still beautiful.

Happy anniversary to the woman I love, Mary Lee. 





Sidenote: Last year a young man called from Kansas City. He had bought a '65 Olds and found the owner's manual in the glove compartment with my name on it. He tracked me down, and brought the car to St. Louis. The same car Mary Lee and I had left in so many years before. Some things are meant to run for a long time.

14 comments:

  1. That's just the BEST!
    Hope all is well!
    Dick

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  2. Mazal Tov. May you enjoy many more happy years together.

    (From Erin Rovak)

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  3. That is great story! Pat and I just had our 40th and she retrieved some pictures of her in a mini skirt and me in a red velvet suit with bell bottoms sporting a Rolling Stones haircut.
    I recall a Nancy Hartnett from Ladue, any relation?

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  4. Oh man,

    This made me cry, dude. Here's what I think is especially cool. You guys still look the same, meaning, the LOOK in your eye is the same. Full of curiosity, totally in the moment, ready for...

    "next?"

    Mazal Tov and Amen!

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    Replies
    1. Wow, what a neat story!!!

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  5. I love - love stories, all the best to you and Mary Lee.

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  6. What a beautiful story, Gerry! You two haven't changed a bit!

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  7. Oh, Wow, For the 3 of you to be together! MaryLee, Jerry,and The Car! you both look so much like you did! Except now you're in color, vs. b/w.

    I'll forward this link to Dick And Dot in case they're not on your list.

    The most Mozelmost Tovmost wishes and congrats...you've been a great model of a good marriage all along! All my love, Judy Breiner David

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  8. Gerry--The last line of your post is golden. What a well-crafted (and deep) line.

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  9. This is a lovley tribute to the loves of your life, your wife, your old car and your hair :) You and Mary Lee have aged very well. Congratulations!

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  10. Soooooo......did you buy the car or not...?!?!?!?! Congratulations....!!!

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  11. Wow!! That is such a great story. I can't believe you have the car back, and even better, that you never lost the girl. All the very best to you and Mary Lee. I only wish the same longevity for Nina and I. Congratulations, Carl

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  12. Congrats....to a very great brother-in-law and my special sister. A wonderful couple indeed.
    Anne

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  13. I have been married with my husband for 50 years last Sept 16th. We had a Ford 1953convertable with the tire on the back. I met him at 16 when we first dated. We drove around in it till the cows came home. It was a dark blue. It was his babe first then he found his second Babe me. Then we got married at 19 me and him 21. He sold the converable also. It was a beautiful story you wrote about the man who found you and you then seen your car again. Wow! This story tore at my heartstrings. How blessed were you and your wife Mary Lee to have this come to being. Thanks for sharing. Wow if someone had our car and we could have that experience of seeing it again. It would of knocked both of us out of my shoes. Many time we looks at the pictures. Good memories.

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