Fifty Years of Marriage…and Five Days More!

Five days ago, it was precisely fifty years since Linda and I married in Santa Barbara, California – on August 20, 1966. Last Saturday, we celebrated the occasion at the Shadowbrook restaurant in nearby Capitola, near the beach at Santa Cruz. These pictures, taken fifty years apart, book-end our fifty-year journey together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The weekend was spent with our immediate family members at a rented house on the beach at Santa Cruz. Our four grandchildren, ages seven to fourteen, had a great time on the beach building sand-castles and playing tag with the active surf on Saturday. That evening, we had a fabulous dinner experience at the picturesque Shadowbrook restaurant, long a prime attraction in the beach town of Capitola.

During dinner, our son-in-law, Scott, asked if I had any advice on how to reach the 50^th anniversary of a marriage. I replied with little hesitation: “Pick the right one (partner) from the start! That choice is the most important decision you will ever make in life.”

Another truism to keep in mind: A successful marriage is the union of two inevitably imperfect people who are dedicated to the notion of a lifetime bond and are determined to overlook the nagging annoyances sure to emanate from both parties.

The key to success remains making a wise choice, one based on all the right criteria. Practical considerations are paramount, but a relationship without “sizzle” is off to a poor start.

I Knew Linda Was the One the First Night We Met!

In May of 1965, my good friend Gil, told me about a big apartment complex party to be held that afternoon/evening across the street. He suggested we go over and check it out. We each had an apartment on California Steet in Mountain View, Ca., a professional “singles row” if ever there was one.

I told Gil I had a slight headache (which I did) and did not feel like going. He convinced me to go over at least for a while, so we did. We were not there long when a trio of good-looking girls walked toward our table. I noticed one, in particular, the tall, cute one with the long legs! As they approached our table, a trio of guys engaged the girls in brief conversation, leading to an invitation to “come up to our place and see our etchings!” Gil and I shrugged and smiled as they all left on their “art appreciation” mission. It was not long at all before the girls were back, heading our way, once again. Gil hollered out something to them, probably about the “art show” and the etchings. The girls laughed, and I asked the tall one named Linda if she would like to dance. We danced one number, and then another, and then another.

Two o’clock in the morning found us at the far periphery of the patio party dancing the last number of the night before saying goodnight. We had danced the whole night through and had done a lot of talking, and I liked everything about Linda!

The next morning, without much sleep, I traveled north to Burlingame to meet my parents at an open-house, a home they were considering for purchase. I recall as if it were yesterday standing in the kitchen and telling my parents that “I think I met my wife last night.” My parents bought the home, and, after a fourteen-month courtship, Linda and I began our fifty-year journey together. In a wonderful irony, we both have many precious memories of time spent over the years with my parents in that beautiful little home.

A short postscript: I have always prided myself on “knowing a good thing when I see it.” That held true for the woman I married. It also proved to be true for the 50^th anniversary card I gave her last Saturday. I purchased it over fifteen years ago…because I really liked the format and the beautiful sentiment it contains. As a bonus, the card is glitter-free, a rarity on today’s card racks – don’t get me started! Purchasing that card so early-on validates my faith and optimism that we would still both be here, together, to celebrate as we did last Saturday.