Memories Of Us ~ 25th Wedding Anniversary

Stacey and me on our third date. We went to a costume party. My sisters Kelli and Sharon and I went as the Mandrell Sisters. Sharon got to be Barbara, I was Louise and Kelli was Irlene. Stacey and I dated for a year and a half before he asked me to marry him. He told me he loved the song "Waiting For A Girl Like You," and said it was his song to me.
He wanted to wait until he graduated from college and had a stable job. Here is my sweet guy on his graduation day. Six months later, he drove down and surprised me on Valentine's Day with an engagement ring. I was so thrilled. Oh, and I did say, "Yes!"
This is my wedding album. My friend Debbie, who I've been friends with since first grade, made it for me.
Here are Dad and Mom kissing me. We could only afford snap shots from an amature photographer, but I'm happy for what I have. We didn't have a whole lot to spend, but I felt pretty and I loved my dress. It's the love that remains that counts; and that we do have.

Our youth pastor, Steve Minton, married us for free. I remember being so happy, I cried during the ceremony. My sister Kelli is standing next to me as my maid of honor.
Stacey was so happy he carried me out of the sanctuary. Everyone clapped.
My friend Jocelyn, Sharon and Kelli. Me, Stacey, two of his college buddies, and my brother Wade. The little flower girl is my cousin Anna's daughter, Amy. My mother made the Little House on the Prairie dresses. I remember buying the fabric. It was $75, not including all the lace and ribbon. I loved the girls' dresses and appreciate my mother's hard work and skill in making them.
My parents, Leonard and Shirley, me and Stacey, and his parents, John and Vivian. Looking back, I think I should have chosen a church with anything but bright orange carpet. What was I thinking?
Stacey's sister Kara did the guest book for us. I remember the cost of nearly everything: the church was $100, cake $100, my dress $60 (on sale at Reed & Cross), the photographer, $ 100, vocalists $20, fiddler, guitar, and bass players $20 each, flowers $100, and my hat with veil $20. I know because I paid for these things from working at the Bon. I'm glad that I had a simple, yet pretty wedding.
I loved our cake. My neighbor Carlene made it. I asked her to make it look like my mother's wedding cake. We grew up in a church that every wedding served the same thing: wedding cake, punch, nuts, coffee and mints. I knew no different than this. That is what we served. That is what both Kelli and Sharon served, and every wedding I had ever attended. It was tradition. Later I began going to other weddings and was surprised that food was served in most cases; huge receptions with catered food. I was a little embarrassed that maybe we should have served food, but thought, 'well, to each his own. We grew up with simple traditions and it was still lovely.'

These are the pickers who played during our wedding: bass, guitar and fiddle. I walked in to "Waltz Across Texas With Me."
Here is my friend Molly, whom I wrote about in my post about my high school 30th reunion. She is still my friend today.
This is Debbie, who lived across from me growing up. We've been friends since first grade and still are. She and her fiance' drove all the way from Yakima. I got to be in her wedding the following year.
Stacey wore a western suit and cowboy boots. We had a country wedding. If I could do things again I would have danced with my dad and my husband. We grew up in a conservative church and dancing just didn't happen. I love to see the new couple dancing together. I think it's beautiful.
Our cake was called "Fourteen Carrot Cake." It had cream cheese frosting and was very good. I may have the recipe somewhere.

I loved my dress.
I love my ring. I don't know what Stacey paid for mine, but his cost $100. We both still wear our original rings.
Signing the documents. My first time writing my new legal name.
I remember being so happy.
Ralph, my sister Kelli's husband, Eric, my sister Sharon's husband, and Stacey.
Ralph, Kelli, Eric and Sharon decorated our car. They put Oreo cookies all over it. This was my 1974 Mustang 2, which I bought from working at Arby's. Stacey rode a motor cycle, so we chose to use my car instead of his bike. Below we are holding the picture of us as children sitting together on the steps. I did tell our story in one of the Show and Tells that I did. It can be found in the archives. We were best friends as children. I can remember riding the school bus and all the kids chanting, "Kathi loves Stacey." I shouted out, "I DO NOT!!!" Now look at us. Also, below, Stacey removing my garder.
Here are a two shots from our honey moon.

Here is Stacey in the kitchen of our first little house. He looks so good. I love that red long underwear shirt he used to wear all the time. Our first home was a mobile home. Stacey bought it while he was in college. I am so thankful he did. This put us ahead so we were able to by a house later.
Here I am in our little kitchen. I loved those first years being a wife. We didn't have lots of money, but we were so happy and so in love.
One morning I opened the peanut butter and found this carved in it. It said, "Kathi I love you." Stacey knew that I would be opening it for breakfast (I eat a piece of peanutbutter toast for breakfast every morning then and now), so he carved this knowing I'd find it, and then he left for work. I thought it was so cute and wanted to remember so I took the photo.

Thank you for coming along with me to remember Sept. 10th 1983, 25 years ago on our wedding day. I'm so thankful for my dear husband and thankful that God has blessed our marriage.

"A man shall leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." Ephesians 5:31