"Golden Love is Alive and Well" - Time Out #199

How is it possible in today's disposable, always fast-paced world?

This rare occurence is almost like a mission impossible event that is happening multiple times.

Golden--that would be 50 (FIFTY) year--wedding anniversaries, married to one of your high school classmates for half a century.

Well, folks, our 1965 C.E.Donart (SHS) class has been celebrating these events with regularity the past few years, with 2 festive gatherings occurring in June here in Our Town. At these get-togethers, it is almost like another high school reunion for our group of veteran warriors. We all assemble in various venues around our beloved town, look at old pictures of the honored guests on their wedding days long, long ago, tell plenty of long-winded stories around the various party tables, while we easily consume delicious food and drink.

When I contemplate just how many of our classmates married another member of our class of 306 total graduates, the number of marriages is significant. Even more mind-boggling, however, is that almost all of them are still married 50 or more years later! Wow!! Must be something special in their water??

Lots of possible explanations just why this phenomena has happened. Possibly the best answer is like-minded people from the same moment in time married each other long, long ago, and their chemistry has continued to flourish throughout the turbulent times in the past half century. Utterly amazing, readers in Our Town and far beyond.

Some of the couples have lived locally the entire 50 years, but most have lived elsewhere in Oklahoma, nearby Texas, as far away as California, North Carolina, and other distant locations. Their employment, of course, has been extremely varied, as you would expect. The common denominator of all the couples seems to be the "glue" they acquired during their

high school days in this place called Our Town.

The tight-nit feel of our group is carried on each Friday afternoon at our famous restaurant gathering spot. Most of the weekly participants are the males of the 1965 grads, but frequently the lady classmate spouses drop by also, and they always add lots to the merriment, laughter, story-telling, and general excitement felt by all our group. In fact, it is not uncommon for "outsiders" to come as classmate guests to our weekly gatherings, and the newcomers become part of our inner circle for a few hours. These added folks certainly add to our group enthusiasm!

So, as my bride, Debbie, a San Diego native, and I continue to attend these special golden anniversary celebrations, featuring my high school class, my mind's eye always reflects back to the school days of long ago. When my memories happen, a broad smile quickly forms on my face, as I recall that wonderful time we had in Our Town. It was truly special for us......