24 years ago....

[John Schmidt]

Rita and I said our "I do's" in front of a waterfall in Glacier Nat'l. Park, offciated by a female Blackfoot Tribal Judge. We used the Blackfoot ceremony, not a religious one but quite spiritual. The following day we headed up into Canada as far as Jasper, going up the east side of the Rockies and down the west side. Canada's economy took quite a boost during those two weeks.  

On the morning of the 5th, we had to drive to Cut Bank, MT for the license, about 50 miles one way. On the way back, as we got back into the high country I stopped near a mountain meadow that was covered with wild flowers, whipped out my trusty pocket knife and cut my new bride-to-be a mountain wild flower wedding bouquet. Later that day we met with the lady judge(Rita had made prior arrangements with her by phone before we left home), her husband and daughter, then drove back into the Park. About a 1/3 mile walk through the forest brought us to the opening where the waterfall was, we had the ceremony on a raised sandy portion of the creek bed. A beautiful spot to behold.

The license bureau in Cut Bank was amusing. We walked up to a main counter, behind it were about a half dozen little rooms with various signs over the doors; marriage license, occupational license, recording, etc.  While there, the phone would ring and the one and only person there, a woman, would answer the main line as "license bureau." Then put the caller on hold, walk into the corresponding room, pick up that phone and answer "_____bureau"....which got Rita and me laughing over the little town scene. A one person operation wearing different hats, depending on your call.  

She's still in a nursing home for another week or two so she's not happy spending today in such a place. I'll do my best to make it special anyway.

[TJ]

   Happy Anniversary....

[pocket aces]

Great story.  Happy Anniversary!!
24 years ago??   I thought it was longer.

[DD]

Happy Anniversary to you both.   
I'm sure you will make it special and and just being together adds to it. 

[John Schmidt]

Great story.  Happy Anniversary!!
24 years ago??   I thought it was longer.

I'm certain my wife has felt that way a few times....but no, just 24. Second time around for both of us, we were 55 & 56 at the time and had been dating(not living together) for nearly five years.

She was amused when she called the license bureau in Cut Bank before we left home to ask about marriage licensing; any requirements such as waiting periods, blood tests, etc.  The woman asked Rita how old we were, then told her "honey, by the time you're in your mid 50's, if you don't know what it's all about and what you want, waiting or testing won't make a difference."   

[Grumpy]

Happy anniversary to you and Rita, hoping for an improvement and for her to be home soon.

[flsix]

Happy Anniversary to the two of you.
Hope Rita is able to come home soon.

[Thunderbolt]

Well you remembered unlike me......

[Flrider]

Happy Anniversary to you both 

[larue]

Happy anniversary 

[Bert AKA,Valkaholic]

Happy Anniversary To You And Rita ! 

[Squirrel]

Happy belated anniversary to you both, John.  Let's see, 55 + 24 = 79.  And here is thought you were in your 60's when i met you!  I hope Rita is back home with you soon.  Take care, John. 

[Farside]

  Very nice John. Happy Annerversity to you both! 

[John Schmidt]

Happy belated anniversary to you both, John.  Let's see, 55 + 24 = 79.  And here is thought you were in your 60's when i met you!  I hope Rita is back home with you soon.  Take care, John. 

Close but no cigar....Rita was 55, I was 14 months older. I hit 80 earlier this year, she just turned 79 last month. In my 60's huh? Flattery will get you most anything.    Wish I felt like it, I retired at age 66 over 14 yrs. ago.