Celebration: Today is the last day of my first 50 years of marriage.

[Chainfire]

All and all, I can say that I highly recommend the institution.

The day we were married, I had just turned 19 and my wife was 17. My family objected, the neighbors was sure that my wife was pregnant. (it took ten years to deliver) and my older sister cried because she thought that I was making a terrible mistake. My friends were betting on divorce within six months.

My wife's father's only demand in agreeing to allow the marriage, was that she would finish high-school. Seven years later she got her master's degree, with honors, but the old man did not live to see it. My wife worked days and went to school nights, she had far more courage than I did. I learned a skilled trade and made a good living at it and it kept us above water through the first few years.

In the beginning, we were so poor that we could not afford to pay attention, but the struggles bound us even tighter. Neither of our families were in a position to help us financially so we had no safety net, it was sink or swim; we chose to swim. We worked very hard and after four years of renting we bought our first home. It wasn't a mansion, but it wasn't on wheels either!

We raised two very good children, one of each flavor. Both are well educated and successful in their middle age. We worked ourselves into a strong middle class lifestyle and we are now enjoying a nice retirement, free of struggle and still deeply in love. Through all of the struggles that life presents, I always knew that I had a strong and loving partner who had my back.

The anniversary is very important to the both of us, but we will celebrate in a very low-key manner. Instead of a big shebang with the accompanying drama and demands, we are going to go antique shopping and have a very nice dinner out.

If I died before I finish typing this, I could have no complaints, I have had a good life with a wonderful, smart, loving partner. It has been a really good run, now we are setting our goal on the Carter's record!

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=We%27ll+build+a+sweet+little+nest+somewhere+out+in+the+west+and+let+the+rest+of+the+world+go+by&&view=detail&mid=277696EF02E24E8DC349277696EF02E24E8DC349&rvsmid=447ACE27381B9456F1EA447ACE27381B9456F1EA&FORM=VDRVRV

[SheltieLover]

1. Congrats to you both!

[OAITW r.2.0]

2. Congrats!

A really great story to share...thanks!

[True Dough]

3. Congratulations!

My wife and I, unknowingly, copied you and your spouse and got married on this day 30 years after you.

Many happy returns!

[a kennedy]

4. ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

You are so lucky, and I’m so happy for you and your wife, congratulations. Hey, and good luck with the Carter record. 😊

[snowybirdie]

5. Congratulations!!

As a contemporary, I totally agree with you. Many more happy years together!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. Congratulations on your Anniversary, my dear Chainfire!

What a hopeful story you've told here. But when you know what you have in your partner and when you both are determined to succeed...well then, that's a hell of a story!

Here's to at least 50 more years!

[niyad]

7. Congratulations. What a loving and wonderful tribute. Now on to the Carters'

milestone.

[secondwind]

8. What a lovely post, and tribute to your other half!

Just reading this made my heart swell…. How very lucky you both are!!!!!

[malaise]

9. What a beautiful post

Congrats to you and wifey! :grouphug{

[ProudMNDemocrat]

10. Congratulations to you and your wife.

My husband and I are approaching the 50th Anniversary of our meeting come September 14th. Our first date was the Northern California Renaissance Festival just north of San Francisco on the 25th. I was 19, he was 26. I see that 2021 mirrors 1971. We married April 2nd, 1972.

[CTyankee]

11. I know the value of a good marriage. I am conscious of being in love with my husband of 36 years

after a disastrous first marriage. Sometimes I just feel "wildly" in love with this man. I tell him this quite often!

[peggysue2]

12. Congrats!

You've defended the institution gloriously with your anniversary and words.

[FM123]

13. 50 years, that's quite an accomplishment!

My hubby & I are only on year 37 so we have quite a ways to go - you are an inspiration!

[Biophilic]

14. Wow. thanks for sharing a wonderful life story. nt

[IrishAfricanAmerican]

15. Happy Anniversary....

[OddMom20]

16. Congrats to you both!

Wishing you both love, health and happiness as you focus on your next record. Your post gives me hope - healthy, loving relationships DO still exist. Stay well!

[MiHale]

17. Congratulations!

A wonderful accounting of a love story thank you for sharing. You started younger and slightly earlier than we, our 50 is in ‘23.
Finding that one somebody is a great thing in life.

[DemUnleashed]

18. Congratulations!!

What a beautiful story!! Did both of your families come to embrace your marriage? If so, I hope it didn't take long!

[Chainfire]

29. I think that my sister is still pissy about it, but she is a Republican, so I don't care. ;)

She would have been happier with and "I told you so."

[49jim]

19. My wife and I

celebrated our 50th anniversary on 06/12/2021. We were both 21 years old. I just graduated college and started teaching 3rd grade in September. My wife was still an undergraduate and finished her BA in December 1971. I'm sure my late F-I-L would not had approved the marriage if I didn't have prospective employment.....to support his oldest daughter.

Our two son's (and friends daughter) did put together a small party two weeks ago. Our close friends also celebrated their 50th. It was low key with about 35 people in attendance. My wife and I have been through many ups and downs in the last 50 years.(I'm a friend of Bill for 22 years)...and we share many common interests (both retired educators...with 75+ years experience between us....teachers, administrators and college instructors).....now enjoying successes of our son's lives and four grandchildren. It's been an overall good run.....taking a day at a time.

[Bo Zarts]

20. Congratulations! We are, relatively, newly weds.

Only 47 years for us.

[MLAA]

21. Wonderful post. Hurray for Mr and Mrs Chainfire! I love the phrase to poor to pay attention!

[littlemissmartypants]

22. Congratulations, Chainfire! Completely lovely and a role model for us all.

❤

[Karadeniz]

59. I miss soothing voices!!!!

[littlemissmartypants]

62. Me too, Karadeniz. ❤ nt

[seta1950]

23. Happy ANNIVERSARY

To you both🎂

[cab67]

24. Congratulations!

[murielm99]

25. Congrats and thanks for sharing.

We just made it to year 43.

[BadgerMom]

26. Congratulations.

Thank you for sharing.

[SallyHemmings]

27. Congrats!

[Chainfire]

28. Thank you all for the outpouring of good will. It is appreciated!

[Heartstrings]

30. Congratulations! nt

[trof]

31. Congratulati0ns and welcome to the Golden Anniversary club.

52 years last April.
There ain't a helluva lot of us.

[barbtries]

32. Mazeltov!

happy for you both.

[shenmue]

33. Mazel tov

[cilla4progress]

34. Beautiful.

Thank you! ❤

[Fla Dem]

35. Congrats on 50 Years!!!! My brother and wife celebrate theirs on Friday!!!

Reflecting on your 50 years together, your post was beautiful.

[iluvtennis]

36. Aww, so sweet. Thanks for sharing your love story with us.

[Pas-de-Calais]

37. Congrats

[Tikki]

38. Congratulations...you two.

The Tikkis

[ProfessorGAC]

39. Congrats!!!

We hit 41 this year.
50 years is fantastic!

[Beringia]

40. Congratulations

[housecat]

41. Congratulations! We had our 50th on July 1.

[Chicagogrl1]

42. Happy Anniversary!

Such an inspiration! Here’s to 50 more!!🎂🎉🍾

[yonder]

43. Congratulations on your milestone.

What a great account of determination, preseverance AND love.

[Takket]

44. The way I read your OP I thought you were getting a divorce lol

My mistake! Congrats!

It’s going to take me another 28 years to get to 50 but I’m working on it.

[gademocrat7]

45. Congratulations!

Celebrate!🎉💕

[Hekate]

46. Congratulations to you both.This is the second OP today that's filling my heart with warmth & smiles

Thank you for sharing

[orleans]

47. how fantastic for both of you. (nicely done) nt

[SWBTATTReg]

48. A good story and great to read, thanks for sharing and I wish you all the best in the future!

[rickyhall]

49. Some people get lucky, good for you.

[napi21]

50. Congrats to you both!!! I hope you enjoy many more years together. We've been married for

57 years. Though there have been highs & lows, we're both glad we formed the bond oh so many years ago.

[Sucha NastyWoman]

51. This is a wonderful story

Be sure to show it to your lady.

You’ve got it all!

[tblue37]

52. Congratulations! I hope you share many more happy years together.

[JudyM]

53. The best line: "still deeply in love."

So happy for you both! Congrats and enjoy that lovely dinner!
💕 💕

[IrishEyes]

54. I read the title as "the last day of my fifty years or marriage".

I thought this was going to be a sad post. I'm glad I was wrong. Congratulations!

[Solly Mack]

55. All the best to the both of you!

Congratulations!

[FakeNoose]

56. Wonderful story - Thanks for sharing this

And congratulations to both of you!

[smirkymonkey]

57. Congratulations!

What a lovely tribute and what an inspiring journey! I wish you and your wife all the best and many more happy years together!

[greblach]

58. Truly great story

Congrats! It is amazing how things turn out, the Carter's record is definitely a worthy goal!

[3catwoman3]

60. What a lovely recounting of your half century together.

Best wishes to you both, and thank you so much for sharing your story.

[lucca18]

61. Your story makes my heart smile!💕

Congratulations!
😍

[MustLoveBeagles]

63. Congratulations

[Rhiannon12866]

64. Congratulations!

And it is extremely appropriate that you share the day with President and Mrs. Carter!

[ZZenith]

65. Ain't love grand?!

Best wishes for the next fifty years together.

[calimary]

66. Awwwwwwwwww - that's WUNNNNNNNDERFUL!!!

We’re not there yet but we’re happily still at it.

Congratulations and may you two share many more years together!

[SunSeeker]

67. You hit life's lottery. Congratulations!

Wish all of us had your luck!

[Duncanpup]

68. Congratulations

[HipChick]

69. Congrats!!! Just beautiful...

[Hav]

70. Congratulations. At first, I thought this would be about a divorce

but it was such a wonderful celebration of life and companionship instead.

[kpete]

71. Congrats

mr pete and I will celebrate 50 in 73.
I loved reading your post!
The best part of my life is the guy by my side.
Best wishes to you both & may you break "the Carter's" record!

[kooth]

72. Congratulations!

My wife and I have been married 31 years and we are doing OK. Thanks for sharing your story: I'm happy to hear that you two are so deeply in love, as we are with each other. Good luck on the next 50 years -- we're right behind you!

[Fortinbras Armstrong]

73. Mazel tov!

I envy you. Suzanne and I only made it to just shy of our 45th anniversary.

[Chainfire]

74. I am really touched by all of the kind replies. Thank you all.

So the day is about ended and I will fill you in on how it went. As I said, we wanted to keep it really low key, and not have to perform for a party. It is just who we are. So, We went out for a little fine dining in Georgia and went Antique shopping in Alabama. We got home and I went down for a quick nap and was awakened by a stir at the front door. My wife came to me, with a shocked face, and got me and told me to get dressed!

Standing in my living room was my daughter who schemed with my son to fly in last night from Alaska as a surprise. What a surprise it was! After we visited for a while we grabbed up the cameras as I wanted to go by the church we were married in, and duplicate a photo from our wedding day. We had to work it in between thunder storms but we pulled it off. My kids looked at our wedding photos and posed us. The pics came out well. (I have to admit, I don't look 19 any more) Today is also my birthday (another story) and my daughter showing up for my birthday and anniversary unannounced was without a doubt the best surprise gift I have ever received.

It was an outstanding day!


Now, I will tell you all, looking at my wedding photos for the first time in decades, my wife's going away dress was short, as fitted the fashion of the day, I was floored by what a great set of legs my wife had. I wondered if I knew that then.....That gal was a drop-dead fox! Boys, I tell you I had good taste in women, and good judgement to pick the one I did!

Again thanks to all of you who shared a little in my day, it is very much appreciated.

Reviewing the old photo and posing for that pic, in that place, reminded me of how scared shitless I was on that fine Thursday morning, fifty years ago, leaving the church. It did show on my face. Had I known where I would be today, I would have been a lot more relaxed.