Tuesday 4: Wedding Questions and Memories

Tuesday 4: Weddings

Thanks for joining in. Note from Annie: "I hope you find them fun to do and if you have any ideas for questions please let me know in comments here or on my personal blog, Cottage by the Sea."


This week let's talk about engagements and marriage okay?  Well, since yesterday was our 52nd Anniversary, and I already wrote about that HERE, I might as well tell you how it all began!


1. If you are married would you share how your husband proposed to you? How long were you engaged before you got married? If you aren't married, what would be ideal for you?

  See my answers below...

2. Did you receive an engagement ring? Would you show us or describe it for us?  See answer to both #1 and #2 below:

We met at the Community College we were both attending.  I was a freshman and he was finishing his sophomore year.  We had been dating for about 4 months when  one evening we were on our way to a basketball game at the community college we both attended. I noticed that his shirt pocket had something in it that looked like a box. So all the way to the game I kept teasing him and asking him what was in his pocket, but he kept saying you'll have to wait and see. But I could not wait and I kept reaching for his shirt pocket while he was trying to drive the car.  So finally, instead of possibly having a wreck, he very wisely decided to pull off the side of the road right there on the highway. He pulled out the little box and gave it to me, and I opened it, and there in the dim lights of the dashboard of the car I saw what appeared to be a very beautiful little diamond ring.  I tried it on and it fit perfectly. I asked, "Does this mean what I think it means?" And he said yes it does...and of course we kissed and I was so excited and he was kind of like, "well, I've done it now..."... Anyway, he told me a little story about how when his father proposed to his mother, they didn't have much money. His dad was in the Army and about to be shipped overseas for WWII.  He gave her a little ring that wasn't really a real diamond ring, but it was all he could do at the time with a promise to do better later.  He further explained to me that because he was still in college and so was I, he really couldn't afford a real diamond ring at that time, but this was a promise for something better in the future just like what his father did with his mother.  Of course, I was thrilled all the same, and couldn't wait to tell the world that we were engaged.  However, when we finally got to the basketball game, I was able to get a better look at the ring in the light, and all of a sudden I realized that one of the tiny little "diamonds" on the ring was loose, and almost immediately it fell out into my lap.  Of course, I scooped it up and never said a word to my dear betrothed.  As soon as I got home I found some glue and glued the little stone back into the setting and never said a word .

The next day he came over to talk to my parents and ask for my hand in marriage.  My parents were elated and my mother wanted to see the ring right away.  I proudly put out my hand and showed it to her, and I could tell that she could tell what the real story was, but she wisely didn't say a word but happily congratulated us and we began talking about when we would get married.  I later told her the little story about the ring, and she told me to wear it proudly and be very happy, which I was.   I never told her or my beloved that I had to keep replacing that little stone several times before we were actually married.  However, when we decided to shop for our real wedding bands, we both agreed that we would just get plain gold bands at that time as that was all we could afford. And the little "diamond ring" set became a lovely souvenir of our engagement period.  

Years later hubby gave me this lovely braided gold band to add to the wedding band, and then before his mother passed away, she told me that she wanted me to have her diamond ring that she had had custom reset from her real diamond wedding rings after my father in law passed away, because she remembered the promise that was made to me years ago and she knew that we just never ever had the means to buy a "real diamond ring". There was always something else that we needed so much more.

So I love to wear it when we are dressed up for something special, but I am very happy to have my regular gold bands to wear all the time, and I never take them off.

 

Oh, back to question #1, how long were we engaged before we were married?  Well, let's see. We were engaged in January of 1969 and married on August 16, 1969.  So about 8 months.

3. What kind of wedding did you have? Was it big or small, formal, informal, religious or justice of the peace. Inquiring minds want to know!

Our wedding was medium sized, I would say. Maybe about 75 people attended. It was what I would call semi-formal, an afternoon wedding, at the church where I grew up. Our reception was in the church fellowship hall, with cake and punch and nuts and mints. 

Mr. and Mrs. John F. Steiner

My Daddy and me, walking down the aisle.

This is our wedding party:

And here are the parents and grandparents who were living at the time:

4.Was there a honeymoon? Where did you go, how long did you stay?

Yes, we had a short honeymoon to Daytona Beach. We stayed two nights I think, at the Americano Beach Lodge.  Then we moved to our very own apartment, and John started back back to college about a week later to complete his senior year, and I went to work at an insurance company as an accounting clerk. And the rest is history....52 years and counting, three sons, two sweet daughters in law, one handsome grandson and many wonderful memories.  We thank the Lord for His goodness and grace and love. We are blessed beyond measure.

Thanks again for participating!

Thank you, Annie, for coming up with these questions.  It's fun to learn about our friends! So now, go check out other people's answers at Tuesday 4.  Have a blessed and wonderful day!