This is what today represents in our family.

Yep, this little boy from Greenland, New Hampshire and this little girl from Salem, West Virginia met in Oct. of 1960 during Dad’s freshman year at Salem College in Salem, West Virginia. They both grew up with the same nickname “Dickie” and both had a dog named “Poochie”.

When Dad would see Mom around town he would call Mom “Nugget”. Mom says it was because he couldn’t remember her name. Dad says differently but in Dad’s defense Juanita wasn’t a very popular name back then… just in case Mom is right wink wink.. every once in a while Dad still signs cards to his “Nugget”.

Anyway, they ran off to Deep Creek, Maryland on Tuesday, June 4, 1963 and got married (decided to follow another couple’s footsteps as that is where their friends went to get married). Mom wore a black dress because that was the only one she had that she could roll up tight and not worry about it getting wrinkled because you know… she was sneaking it out of the house. What a little rebel. Well that night Dad called her house to tell her Mom and Dad that Juanita would not be coming home tonight. Grampa asked why… Dad told him they got married that day. Well Grampa wasn’t too thrilled. He said, “Well hell” LOL, that still makes me giggle, handed the phone to Grammy where she just giggled and said, “I knew it was coming. You should have told me. I would have bought you a dress.” Aren’t Moms great! Well Grampa got over it and the rest is history.

Three kids and 6 grandchildren later… they are still happily married.

Happy 45^th Anniversary, Mom and Dad.
We love you!

Lisa, Alan, Terri, Ansley, Belinda, Kelly, Amanda, Brittain, Madelyn and Isabella!