To LOVE, Cherish and Obey

To love, cherish and obey; those are not the words used in today's wedding ceremonies; but those were the words taken 62 years ago today by my parents. Their story is beautiful, filled with every emotion known.

They met in high school, he was an upperclassman; she raced through the halls to get to the senior wing for a a few minutes to see him in between classes. To use her words, I chased him until he caught me. These words are powerful for me today, as she's no longer with us to celebrate this very special occasion. Most of you know, she passed a few months back. What an occasion though this is. Not many people in today's world can celebrate 62 years of marriage; 62 years of life together growing, struggling, laughing and crying together that long takes a commitment many aren't willing or able to do.

They met in high school in Chillicothe, Ohio. He went off to serve his country in the Navy, fighting Seabee's in World War II. When he returned, they got married. Though they were engaged, they decided to elope. I smile when I say that; as I find it quite romantic. No need for a big production, they just wanted to get married.

They had been to see the movie, "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir", when they decided to go and get married. In that day, many people crossed the border into Kentucky to get married; but they wanted to be different. They drove to Indiana.

The notice yellowed over time, and falling out of an old photoscrap book reads as follows:

Miss Barrows Is Bride of Mr. Mader

Marriage of Miss Miriam Barrows to Mr. Charles A. Mader, Jr. was solemnized on Aug 25 in the Methodist parsonage at Greenfield, Indiana, with the Rev. J. F. Stephenson officiating.

The bride is the daughter of Mr. Howard A. Barrows of East Eighth street and the late Mrs. Barrows. Mr. Mader's parents Mr. and Mrs. Charles A. Mader, Sr. reside on Mill street.

The bride wore a white street length dress with white accessories. She was graduated from Chillicothe high school in 1947 and has been employed by the J. C. Penny-Co.

Mr. Mader, a graduate of Chillicothe HS class of '44' served two years in the Seabees in the South Pacific. He also attended the Chillicothe branch of Ohio university.

Mr. and Mrs. Mader are now living on Route 2, St Paris where Mr. Mader is engaged in the housing construction business with his brother-in-law.

The above picture is a dress Mom made, as is the one below. She was quite a seamstress. The photo above is my parents at a dance, perhaps her Prom from memory. The photo below maybe the dress she wore when they got married. She signed the photo, so I believe it's one she gave Daddy.

Old as Dirt

If you know what this is, if you remember this, if you used this....you are officially as old as old as me...........and as "old as dirt." Don't get me wrong now, I like old; or perhaps you prefer the nicer words like vintage or retro for you youngin's. LOL

I was sooooo surprised to see this. These mailboxes were used at University School. The University School is where my husband attended school until it closed it's doors. He was a sophomore at that time. Two weeks ago there was a reunion. They had almost everyone return, even those living far away. This was a very tight knit group of kids. Think there were maybe 30? I'd have to look at the list. We collected up for lunch at one of the class members houses, then we got to tour the school. The school began in 1937 and so there's lots of history. It was fun exploring the old building. The organizer had arranged to have someone meet us at the building, unlock it so we could explore on a Sat. It really was the perfect topper.

This group remembered fondly the school, the teachers, and even the food. They all remarked about how good the shepherds pie was. Most of the group never quite felt like they belonged when they went to various high schools around the city. They felt jipped. They wanted to graduate from this school. The school must have done lots of things right for the sentiment to be so favorable from it's former students.

The mailboxes are actually still in the office, though no longer used.

Do have fond memories of your school? Do you attend reunions? Do you stay in touch with former classmates? Did you think your cafeteria food was good?