Are We Walking to Alaska

Are We Walking to Alaska
Are We Walking to Alaska - A True Story

Thursday, September 25, 2014

Our 50th Anniversary

I was 17, working in a drug store the summer before my senior year in high school.  He was 19 and had come to Alaska with his buddy, to work in the newly opened pulp mill to earn money for his sophomore year in college.

It was love at first sight - for both of us.  And now, 51 years later, we are celebrating our life together - our 50th anniversary.  We have had adventures, learned a lot from each other, moved back and forth across the country, watched our wonderful kids grow up, gone on vacations, celebrated events, welcomed 3 great in-laws into our family and been blessed with three grandsons.  It has been the easiest thing we've ever done - these 50 years of marriage.

 We've lived in several states, in many houses.  I have pictures of most of them.


 There's a bit of gypsy in us and we've loved all the houses we've lived in - but we love our current (and last) home the very best.

We even have a house cookie jar.
We've enjoyed every stage of our kids growing up 
With birthday parties along the way
We've moved in, and moved out
And been sung funny songs to by our friends who laughed during their performance for us at our going-away dinner - and cried when we moved on.
We've celebrated holidays and events
Cheered at graduations - and cried a little too.
 Halloween was a fun time for pumpkins and funny costumes


 Our 25th anniversary - celebrated with family and friends
With matching sweatshirts to wear on the train trip back to Wisconsin (the trip was a gift from our kids - the sweatshirts were a surprise from Don)
We've gone on vacations - near and far - with family, friends and the occasional bear
These two pictures were taken the same day - one on vacation in the mountains, where there was still snow - and the other back at home in the desert - where there were roses blooming
We've danced in the rain
Celebrated Halloween as only our youngest daughter can.
Welcomed in the new year with fun and silliness.
Visited the old jail in Yuma, Arizona 
Baked a few pies (oops)
And enjoyed ourselves royally!
Hurray!
It's been a grand trip - with more adventures and celebrations to come.

50 years and counting!!

18 comments:

J said...

What a beautiful post depicting a beautiful, happy life! I always enjoy seeing the personal side of my favorite bloggers. It makes their talent - photography, crafting, quilting, etc. - even more endearing to me because I think of them as friends. I'm sure we'll never meet, JoAnn, but if we did, we'd start right in as if we've lived next door to each other for years! Happy Anniversary!

The Furry Gnome said...

Sounds like a wonderful life! Happy Anniversary!

Montanagirl said...

Fabulous post! You look like such a happy family. How wonderful you can celebrate your 50th anniversary!!

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Congratulations! 50 years is such a huge milestone -- so many don't reach it. Enjoy your anniversary!

Lynda (Granny K) said...

What marvellous pictures and happy memories. Congratulations and best wishes. Lynda xx

Judy at GoldCountryCottage said...

Happy Anniversary, JoAnn and Don. You have had a full and wonderful life and are destined to have many more years together. You have always been a photographer haven't you?. How smart and lucky you are to have all those wonderful memories in print. My daughter is still mad at me because I took most of the old family photos and glued them on to boards to display in the looooong hallway we had when the kids were growing up. She says they are ruined now!! You really did live in a lot of places, but glad you are settled and happy there now. Thanks for sharing the memories and go out a make many more..Happy Thursday and Anniversary..Judy

Pondside said...

Just popping by to say Happy Anniversary to you and your husband, JoAnn! It's grand to be able to look back on your adventures together and to celebrate your family, your love and your commitment. Here's to another great year!

Kay said...

Happy, happy anniversary! What a wonderful post! It's great to see all that happy family history. It looks like great memories. It's so nice to see a true "happily ever after!"

Lorrie said...

Happy, happy Anniversary to you and your husband JoAnn! What a beautiful post, looking back on adventures big and small. Your collages are filled with ordinary and special moments worth celebrating. Hooray!

barbara woods said...

thats wonderful, congratulation

eileeninmd said...

Wonderful photos and post! HAPPY Anniversary to you and your hubby! I wish you many more happy years together..

Mary said...

What a love story and a fabulous trip through time with you, Don, and family. You are really so good at getting out your old photos and sharing with us JoAnn - I haven't the patience to dig through all those stacks of real photos stashed around the house - think attic (I know, a bad storage place for photos and I'm scared to look!) closets, drawers etc.

Well the big 50 - huge congratulations dear and here's to many, many more.
I can't believe you two moved so much (who was after you!!!!!) - perhaps that's what has made your life together so perfect - you've been kept too busy for 50 years with no time for anything bad to happen, haha!

Anyway, it's great news, Happy Anniversary to you both. Definitely have to meet up with you when I get back to beautiful Bellingham again…….perhaps next year when we celebrate our 50th too!
Hugs - Mary

Jeanne said...

joAnn, this was a delightful and joyous post. I enjoyed every bit of it. Congratulations to you and your dear hubby. You have been very blessed.

joanne said...

Congratulations to you both! What a wonderful celebration of your lives together, so much love and joy in those photos. Indeed you are blessed...may you have many more in health and happiness.

joy said...

How wonderful to have spent 50 years together and so many homes and happy photos. Here's to the next 50 years for both of you, much love from UK, Joy x x x

Julie Fukuda said...

You are almost caught up with the Fukudas ... but we did't get to celebrate because I was away at the jamboree last year. I sure wish I had so many pictures... well, I do but they are all in my brain.
A truly inspiring post. Congratulations.

Julie said...

A very happy golden anniversary to you both! I popped by to say thank you for your kind words and taking the time to write. I'm so glad your husband overcame his own health issues for you to reach this wonderful golden milestone. x

Candy S said...

I have read through your post three times now. It makes me smile, it makes me tear a little, and makes me feel good to know that there are some very good people in this world who's lives are full of love, caring for each other, and sharing that love with their family and friends. Congratulations dear lady on your 50th wedding anniversary. God bless you and may you have fifty more wonderful golden years with your wonderful husband.