50 years ago today, I married the lady pictured below. I was lucky to marry my best friend and we remained best friends throughout our time together. We did not make this date together; as most of you already know, she passed shortly after our 48th anniversary.
We were married by a probate judge in Carlsbad, New Mexico. We arrived in town expecting to have to wait 3 days. We had our STD test certificates; which were required back then and we went to the courthouse slightly before lunch to find out when we could get married. I was in shorts, flip-flops and T-shirt, my bride was equally casual. We asked when we could get married and the clerk said the judge was there and we could get married right then. The clerks acted as witnesses and 30 minutes later we were married. we had to go back to the car afterwards and get our rings out of the trunk. It was to us a perfect way to get married. $20.00 for the license and a $30 tip for the judge. We honeymooned in Carlsbad for two days. Toured the caverns, saw the bat flight in the evening, went to the wildlife museum and had several great meals. We often went back to Carlsbad on motorcycle trips, usually stayed a night and went to the caverns, we even took a private flashlight tour of another cavern on one trip.
I always knew she was way out of my league, but I did my absolute best to not show it. She did her best to make me think I was her equal.
I am extremely happy today. Although we didn’t both make it to 50, I made it for both of us. I will have a meal with family and celebrate our lives together.
BTW – IMO that white suit was pretty 70’s cool.
We were married by a probate judge in Carlsbad, New Mexico. We arrived in town expecting to have to wait 3 days. We had our STD test certificates; which were required back then and we went to the courthouse slightly before lunch to find out when we could get married. I was in shorts, flip-flops and T-shirt, my bride was equally casual. We asked when we could get married and the clerk said the judge was there and we could get married right then. The clerks acted as witnesses and 30 minutes later we were married. we had to go back to the car afterwards and get our rings out of the trunk. It was to us a perfect way to get married. $20.00 for the license and a $30 tip for the judge. We honeymooned in Carlsbad for two days. Toured the caverns, saw the bat flight in the evening, went to the wildlife museum and had several great meals. We often went back to Carlsbad on motorcycle trips, usually stayed a night and went to the caverns, we even took a private flashlight tour of another cavern on one trip.
I always knew she was way out of my league, but I did my absolute best to not show it. She did her best to make me think I was her equal.
I am extremely happy today. Although we didn’t both make it to 50, I made it for both of us. I will have a meal with family and celebrate our lives together.
BTW – IMO that white suit was pretty 70’s cool.
