The Three Minute Grandparent: 39 years

The day began as a single college guy and closed as a college couple.  Sunday dawned and I was nervous.  I had my tuxedo; shirt, pants, tie, yes and even the cufflinks.  Everything fit as I slowly added each piece of the wardrobe and began to look like a groom.  My family met me at the church and other guys in the male part of the wedding party.  My Father as best man tried to encourage me; one young married friend was telling all of the negatives of getting married while another unmarried friend had no idea where this would lead.  The organ began playing and I entered with my best man, led by our pastor friend (who was sick from food poisoning – of which I was blissfully ignorant).  Couple by couple, the ladies were escorted down the isle by the men in the party, then she appeared…the lady of my dreams, Rhonda, escorted by our adopted Father, Thurman Barrow.  My eyes were glued on Rhonda, this lovely apparition all in white with long brown hair.  I fell in love all over again.  After “I do” on both our parts, thousands of pictures and a reception with most of the family clan, we finally got away to begin our life.  As we drove to St Augustine, this 23 year old’s thoughts centered around….”what have I done?!  If I turn around now, I can get Rhonda back to the dorm before it closes!!”  The car did not turn around, we did make it to our Honeymoon, and we have been married 39 years.  On July 7, 1974, Ken told Rhonda that he would love her forever, care for her and make her the most important person in his life.  It was a commitment made by two people pledging their lives to fulfill a very sacred oath in marriage.  We have both lived to make that oath work, daily loving each other and committing our wills to fulfill an “I do” made 39 years ago.  I love you Rhonda and am even more committed today to our marriage; simply put, “I do and will continue to do so.”

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