Forty One years ago today …

… on December 19, 1970, …

… in Saint Henry’s Church in Bayonne at about 11:30 in the morning, our lives changed.

“I, John, take thee Evlynn, to my wedded Wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy law; and thereto I plight thee my troth.”

(I stuck the “troth” part in. My maternal Grandmother was an English Protestant. Father Chuamark deigned not to notice.)

(Explanation of “plight” and “troth”: “Plight” here used means to pledge. “Troth” means a promise of truthfulness, and is derived from the same word as “truth”. “Plight thee my troth” – The groom pledges his truthfulness, faithfulness and loyalty to his promise. “Give thee my troth” -The bride likewise gives her word. Also note “betrothed” is “be” – “trothed” from the word “troth”, meaning promised or contracted to marry.)

(Grandma explained that to me when was very young and I asked why my Mom and Dad weren’t together. I knew then that this ‘marriage stuff was serious business.)

“I, Evlynn, take thee John to my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part, according to God’s holy law.”

(I’m surprised that whole Congregation didn’t have a collective gasp! Our Girl said: “obey”. I teased her about that later.)

It was a great party.

Great honeymoon.

But, she’d finally given in and married me. And, my life was forever hers.

# – # – # – # – #   

Humorous story: At the back of the church, Ev’s father asked her what was wrong with me. She didn’t know but said that I was the color of my shirt. When her hand was passed to me, she asked. I said “scared <synonym for excrement> less”. She said: “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of us.” And she did that.

# – # – # – # – #