Elbert and I are getting married. I am so excited. He's been in the Navy almost three years, been fighting in a war... yep, he'll just get his marriage license... no sweat. My Mom would have to sign for me so we three go to the courthouse and got this "I don't care if you have been on your own, fighting and all that, buddy, you are not 21 and you'll have to have a parent sign for you".
Oh, boy... that was upsetting so he went back home to get his Dad. Mom and I waited in town and we waited and we waited... and finally here he comes ALONE. Where's Dad? He wouldn't sign!
So, what to do? We'd just go to Mississippi. You didn't have to have permission there and you could lie about your age and they didn't care. We'd heard you could get married 24/7. We hopped into the car with his cousin, C, and his wife D and headed west.
D's parents lived near the state line. We pulled up in front of their old country house and visited a few minutes and then continued our journey. It was Saturday and dark by the time we reached town. The courthouse was closed and no, they did not perform ceremonies without a license! DUH.
So, we pile into the car once again and head back to the little country house. I mean country!! Their only heat was fireplaces and it's December! We sit around in the front room talking for awhile and finally D's Mother says, "I got you young folks a nice fire going in the back bedroom with plenty of covers on the bed".
I look at Elbert! He looks at me! Nothing had been said about us not being married. What were we to do? This was back in the day when couples didn't sleep together until marriage... well, at least nice girls didn't. And, I was a nice girl.
Guess where I slept that night? In a cold room in the bed with D. My almost, but not quite, husband and his cousin C slept in that big fluffy bed in the back bedroom with a fire going and comfy covers.
Dec. 10th 1950
We did go back to Mississippi the next morning. We did get married and lo and behold we stayed married for 60 years,
without his Dad's permission!
We had no wedding pictures! 😢 but here is one of me in the navy blue suit and white felt hat with a spray of orange blossoms around the brim that I wore. Got that snapshot after the fact.
What a beautiful wedding story! I love the photo. Thank you so much for sharing. And congrats for still being together and in love all these many years later. Hugs, Edna B.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story about your wedding and the "ups and downs" getting there. I have a similar story about my first marriage, I will share on my blog soon:) Have a blessed day dear friend, you picture is beautiful! HUGS!
ReplyDeleteLove this story!
ReplyDeleteNow I must tell you about my wedding. We lived in Mississippi, and eloped to Alabama to get married! September 3, 1982 1:00pm at the courthouse in Tuscumbia. No pictures, no bridesmaids, just a five minute ceremony, but the knot is still tied!
Have a wonderful week!
I can just imagine the ups and downs of those couple days. But all’s well that ends well, and you had so many lovely years together. And what a pretty young woman you were!
ReplyDeleteDetermined young folks! He was old enough to serve his country, but needed his parents to sign for him to marry! All's well that ends well, though.
ReplyDeleteI love your stories! And I’m dying to know more! WHY would his dad not sign??
ReplyDeleteBeautiful story, and yes why wouldn't he sign? My husband and I have been together for 43 years now and people told us it would not last haha the heart knows❤
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