
Today’s the Big Day!
July 30, 2014
Today’s a big day in our family. First my parents are celebrating their 49th Wedding Anniversary! People are lucky if they have a quality relationship in their lifetime and to have both quality and quantity, well-that’s the Holy Grail. I’ve said before that we (my sisters and me) knew we were in trouble if my dad asked what we did to “piss off his girlfriend.” I was never sure if he wanted that list in chronological or alphabetical order. Our maternal grandparents were married on July 29* and our paternal grandparents were married on July 31 and my parents in between those two dates on July 30, so there’s always a lot of good energy around this time of year.
Heading out to dinner tonight to celebrate.
Dad’s Parents
(that wedding dress was amazing and cost $4 all silk with 52 buttons up the back and one of life’s great mysteries in our family-it disappeared one day after being there for 50 years).
*My Mom’s Mother and Step-Father
Funny thing though, my parents married and fearful of what their parents would say, lived apart with their parents without telling anyone they were married for six months. Except the Justice of the Peace called each home to verify their ages. So our Pap Louie (paternal grandfather) and our Uncle Rudy (maternal uncle) actually knew but were fearful of the wife/mother reaction would be and hid the truth.
Mom’s Family (real father who died soon after Amy was born) her mom and brother Rudy
Dad with Aunt Jean
(He hates when I tell this story; but, he was branding expert before it was a “thing.”
He just finished watching a western as a kid, stuck a knife in the fire
and branded my Aunt Jean on her leg)
Pre-Selfie Pittsburgh 1965
Some of the readers know my parents and have heard the story of how they met (so humor us for a moment if you’ve heard it before). They were at a dance and my parents were dancing together and my mom kept asking about my dad’s friend; and, he was growing tired of feeling like second best, spun her and left her on the dance floor. That-is the moment my mom knew he was the man she was going to marry. And the three of us girls know we won the parental lottery; and, I think we have the best characteristics of each. My sister Laura is kind and caring like our Mom and my sister Amy is an great Mom who reads to her boys (like my Mom used to with us) and plays with them (like my Dad used to with us) she is one half the amazing duo that produced my favorite two people- my nephews.
Which brings me to the second big event in our family the youngest is starting kindergarten today; and, he’s not happy about it. He told my sister that he’s decided “He’s just going to sit this one out.” Once it was explained that he couldn’t redshirt his kindergarten year (no matter how cute he is) I think it hit us all hard the baby of the family (sorry Laura-you lost the title) is starting school.
Here’s his Mom on her first day of school. I also wore this dress on my first day of school (because I wanted to be like my big sis) but sadly threw up on and had to change before the bus came.
I have a suspicion my sister will get a call to come pick up their new kitten that was smuggled into a kindergarten classroom.
Meet Thor
Soon to be Kindergarten Mascot
and
Melt(er) of Hearts (yes his eyes are violet)
Thor was lost as a newborn during a recent Monsoon Storm
and rescued by my favorite two heroes
One of my favorite things is to see my parents as grandparents. They are definitely much more relaxed than with us. And like most grandparents they love to recount the grandkid’s cuteness. Watching them get excited or laugh about something the boys did is precious but; my favorite thing is hearing them still make each other laugh, which they do every day. That’s love when you can still make each other laugh after almost 50 years together. Please join us in congratulating our parents on 49 amazing years together.
These pictures are from what Amy and I referred to as Geriatics Ball or The Seniors Prom
but really the Club Gala-and we thought we were so funny, except we’re that age now.
(Please leave your well wishes below-whether you know them or not!)
Jill Annala-Rogers
Happy Anniversary! What a great couple! Melayna, what a great job with the pics and stories!
Melayna Lokosky
Thanks Jill we think so too (so I guess we’ll keep them). We’re long overdue!
Pastor Jim
I really enjoyed this! Great pictures and heartwarming stories with a several embedded smiles and a guffaw or two!
Happy anniversary(ies), happy first-day-of-kindergarten, happy big day to everyone, including kitty, who will find out a lot about the world very soon it sounds like!
What a wonderful story on a news day when “wonderful” is not much a part of the bigger picture! Thank you!!
Melayna Lokosky
Thank you for your kind words and well wishes on behalf of the family. Kids got off fine (same could not be siad for their mother.) Sadly my parents and Uncle Rudy are the only surviving of the other wedding couples and my Aunt Jean has also passed. And I found out that the photographer stole the locket she was wearing in the picture! Thank you for allowing me to share my amazing family with readers.
Stephe K.
Happy Anniversary Elaine & Lou! We all had many happy memories with all in the photographs! Thanks for posting !
Kathy S
Elaine and Lou — Happy Anniversary. Melayna did a beautiful job in telling your story. You both have been such wonderful friends and I surely miss you in Pittsburgh.
Patrick Roberto
Lovely words for two great people. Happy Anniversary Lou and Elaine.
Thanks Stephen.
Thanks Stephen.
Gregg Vetter
Happy Anniversary to you both. Many more to come neighbors!
Augie & Linda Phillips
The pictures are quite a lifetime of fantastic memories! Years go by fast with beautiful kids & grandparents which you love dearly with your heart & soul! Augie & I remember our younger days; Augie & Lou at JFK & Linda & Lou in PIT, and seeing you GET younger at PHX. It’s been many, many years & terrific to still have you two part of our life + even more! Love you guys!
Augie & Linda
Augie & Linda Phillips
BEAUTIFUL! HAPPY 49TH ANNIVERSARY! And many more!
Ethel & Peter
Congratulations from Sicily! You are a terrific couple and we wish you the very best!