It's VTT and I don't want to miss out again this week! Don't you miss out on all the other Vintage lovelies, connect with them at Colorado Lady's blog.
Just two photos to show today, the only copies I have of my parent's wedding day pictures, though I know that there are more of the whole wedding party.
Mum was the middle child of nine and the youngest girl-there were five girls in a row then four boys.
She was a very accomplished seamstress even at 24, and made her own wedding gown and veil on a treadle machine.
My grandparents lived just two doors from the family church, there was gasoline rationing and anyway it made no sense to take the car out for a hundred yard drive so the entire wedding party paraded along the road to the little wooden church on the corner, St John the Baptist Anglican Church.
My Dad was in the RAAF [Royal Australian Air Force] and did not know for sure until the last day if he would be able to get leave and then find transportation the thousand miles plus from his base in Queensland to the Sydney suburbs for the wedding ceremony.
When Mum arrived at the altar on my Grandfather's arm my Dad winked at her and said "G'day Toots"! I asked him why he did that and he said to make her feel better in case she was nervous! He told me that he knew she was the one for him the first moment he saw "that dear little face with the cap of curls"! Obviously I do not much resemble my Mum but have always been told I look just like my Dad!
After the ceremony the entire assemblage walked back around the corner to my grandparents rambling home for the wedding meal. I am sure they managed to provide a delicious spread in spite of war time deprivations, though I am unable to testify to that, I wasn't there and didn't make my debut in the family for another year!
After 60 years of devoted marriage, one month after 9/11, Mum went to be with her Lord whom she loved and served her entire life, and we never thought that my Dad would survive.
Now eight years later at 98 he is still spunky and totally in his right mind but wondering if maybe God has forgotten him! He told me a couple of years ago " You know dear, there's an old lady up there [pointing skywards] that wonders what's taking me so long"!
He goes to her memorial every day, says he's "going to visit my girl", and takes fresh roses a couple of times a week.
God bless him and the lovely lady he married on February 9th, 1942.
PS. Here are Mum and Dad on his 90th. birthday, five months to the day before we lost Mum. She was still a pretty lady! I miss her too.
22 comments:
What a wonderful story! I love the fact that she made her own gown and that they paraded to the church! I know when your Dad goes to be with the Lord, your Mom's going to say "where have you been for the last hour?" because a day is like a thousand years and a thousand years like a day in eternity!
Lovely story. Great pictures. IMHO you do look like your Mom. :)
That's a great wedding story.
WHat a sweet, sweet story, the last part had me in tears, so touching.....You mom was beautiful and when I first saw that picture, I thought what a beautiful dress, and she made that...my.oh.my. What a beautiful bride. And, I see a resemblance in you and your mom....it is there! I think it is great you still have your dad, he sounds like he is doing well...but I am sure missing your mom....great post today, it made my heart warm.
Have a great VTT! and a great weekend.
Beautiful story and what wonderful pictures! I love your blog and will be checking back in to catch up on past posts!
Awww....what a nice story. Your dad still has a great sense of humour at 98! And mom looks beautiful.
As I sit here with tears in my eyes, I have to tell you what a beautiful story and tribute to your amazing parents. You are so blessed to have had such a family to grow up in.
Ros, you brought tears to my eyes! What a wonderful story. Your Mum was a rosy-cheeked beauty in her wedding picture, and she was darling in her old age too. I would love to know what they had for their wedding luncheon! And your Dad sounds like a sweetie. Thank you for sharing this great story!
Happy VTT!
Carol
Your Mother in her wedding gown was absolutely stunning. What a beautiful bride she was and the "G'day Toots" just cracked me up - what a great sense of humor he must have. A wonderful story and tribute to your parents! I love reading things like this!
Wonderful story. What a blessing.
Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com/
And she looked as happy in the last picture as she did in the first two. Wonderful!
Oh my, what a perfect post. Of course, you made me CRY but I forgive you for that. What a stunner your Mum was as a bride... and you can see how beautiful she still was in her older years. What a wonderful love story.
Thank you . Now I have to go get a tissue....
Cass
How great! The photos are lovely along with your family story. Love the "g'day toots"! You are lucky to still have him around.
That is one of the sweetest wedding stories I've heard. Your mum's dress is gorgeous, what a beautiful and talented lady she was. And your dad, so handsome and witty. God Bless him...he has had a wonderful life and a beautiful family. Indeed your mum is wondering....my dad used to say that mum was going to be upset that he was here and having so much fun without her, I think he felt guilty for not going first...but they are together now.
Thanks Ros for sharing this beautiful story.
I'm so touched by your parents' beautiful story. How wonderful to have been married and in love for 60 years (really more than 60 years, because it's clear your father is still in love with your mother and I'm sure she still loves him too).
I love vintage wedding pictures. Your mother's dress is just so lovely -- simple yet elegant. Do you know what fabric it was made from? Please email me!
Such a sweet story, your mom was a beautiful bride.
What a sweet love story! That is wonderful. I made my wedding gown, too. I married in 1978, I wonder if that would be considered vintage yet? Hope not.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful story. I love the fact that you know the wedding story. I have done a lot of family genealogy and what I hold near and dear, and like to get into print, are the stories behind the dates that we see on paper. The wedding date of February 9, 1942 is certainly important but that wedding story is priceless and should be passed down. You did a wonderful job telling the story....your parents are adorable in that last picture.
Thanks again for sharing.
Jane
What a lovely story and pics.
Its very touching, I got goosebumps!
Kathy
How lovely!
have a wonderful day!
It is nice post with lovely message! It is great you have those picture still.
Have a nice weekend.
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Oh Ros - that is a beautiful story. Give your Dad a hug for all of us - what a sweet man!
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