Tom and Helen Brown wedding party, June 30, 1950

Today – June 30th – was the 64th anniversary of the day my parents were married.

I just hung up the phone from talking to my Dad, who turns 89 this Saturday (July 5th).  Since Mom died in 1998, I’ve always tried to call him on their anniversary, just to let him know I’m thinking of him. I’m so glad I reached him tonight.

When he answered the phone, I asked him how he was doing.  “Oh fine,” he answered.  “Today is my anniversary.”

“I know,” I replied.  “That’s why I’m calling.”

He went on to tell me that he drove over to Franklin, Tennessee, today. By himself.  Mom and Dad both grew up in this wonderful town, and they were married in the old Baptist (now Presbyterian) Church downtown.

“What did you do there?” I asked.

“Oh, just went by the church.  It was locked up, so I just sat outside and reminisced.  Then I went over to McDonald’s for a cup of coffee and reminisced some more.”

“Well,” I said, as I was  having trouble holding back the tears, “I think that’s a great thing to do.  I just wanted to call and let you know how much we all felt the love the two of you had for each other.”

We chatted a bit more, I said “I love you,” and then hung up.  Dad doesn’t hear too well these days, and I didn’t want to continue shouting into the telephone.

When I got off the phone, Candice said, “Your dad went over the to the church today?”  I told her he did, and added, “What a romantic.”  She said, “Well, at least you come by it naturally.”

That’s my dad…still in love with the woman he married 64 years ago.

Happy Anniversary, Mom and Dad.  I love you.

More to come…

DJB