It’s a rare and amazing thing when an attractive smile is accompanied by a good heart. How fortunate for the two of you! Congratulations on 50 good years.

Dear Chuck & Donna,

WOW! Fifty years how can that be? I can’t imagine we are old enough for that to be true. Those were all “old folks” like friends of mom and dad who celebrated their Golden Anniversary…right? But since it is true, I must say we are so happy that you two are going to get to celebrate the day with your family. How can it get to be any better? Oh I know…If all your siblings could be there … right? But since we won’t be there in person, I’m going to spend a few minutes thinking back over the years and all the memories we have shared. Gratefully, almost all of them have been happy ones…and are the only ones to focus on now.

I wish I could put pictures with all of these memories, but sadly most of those are in photo albums or multiple boxes in Fl. Those pictures are before the time of digital pictures so I can’t scroll back through my camera and come up with them. I remember some weekends spent with Frank & Jean, Larry & Sandy, Lance & I, and you two. One Thanksgiving Lance & I flew from Mpls to DC and you guys drove through a snow storm … is that right? Larry ended up in the hospital with kidney stones!! Then there was the time we all met at Larry’s in Atlanta and Donna put on her belly dancing outfit and entertained us. Whoo Hoo!! Wish I had that picture!! I remember Larry was so upset that he didn’t have stereo on which to play the record you brought that he went out and bought new stereo system the next week. And Sandy was upset when Lance threw the beautiful white birch logs that she brought from Mpls (which were only supposed to be decorative) into the fire. Lots of fun memories. I’m sure there are many more that we could come up with if we were all together reminiscing!

One picture I would love to reproduce right now I will try to describe to you. It was taken that wonderful weekend (Thanksgiving, I think…and I was most thankful for your visit) you flew to visit me when I had moved in with Sylvia and her son Joel. The picture I’m remembering was of the two of you, maybe I’m in it also, on the boardwalk at Corkscrew Sanctuary. Then you reminded me recently about the thank you gift you sent to Sylvia because her knives were so dull and she called you to ask if you were trying to kill her cuz the new knives were so sharp!! She was always quit with the wit. I remember you telling us later that year, it was at that time you knew you were expecting Jessica. So that tells us exactly how long ago that was.

I remember I came to Dallas on a school break. It was the first I remember shopping at thrift and/or consignment stores. Also, Donna taught me about having acrylic nails put on at a nail salon. I have been hooked on both ever since. Think of the money I’ve saved on clothes, but spent on nails.

We have been so grateful for all the times you guys came to visit me in Florida over the years and then because you got hooked on SWFL, you bought your condo at Barefoot Beach. Also factored into that decision was Frank & Jean had now moved there too. We were all so happy you came to join us, if only for a few weeks each time. What a beautiful place that was! Then you became my golf partner in many tournaments over the years. Great fun.

Have a wonderful anniversary and many more years of happiness! Stay safe and stay healthy!

Lots of love and best wishes,

What a great accomplishment to make it to #50!

You are great role models for us on how to live a fun, hard-working, rewarding and God-driven life together. Think of all that you have accomplished together! Wow! And all the places you have been able to travel. And now more than ever, even the small moments sitting at home with Donna doing her crossword puzzles and Chuck watching the TV are so meaningful because it is time together.

Love you both and hope you have a wonderful celebration of your love and commitment to each other!

This photo was taken at our 40th anniversary 20 years ago. They still look the same. No aging. They are like a bottle of wine, they get better with age. We have always considered them wonderful people and are thrilled to salute them for their 50th anniversary.

P.S. I do not know why they look sullen On this photo but they smile beautiful.

Dear Jessica and Ben,

Here are just a few of the many memories I have of your parents. I have many. Of course, I remember their wedding day. Your mother’s long veil with daisies along the fringe and Troy’s yellow suit I made for him as a ring bearer. It was a big event for us all.

I remember visiting your parents in their Chicago apartment on our way to D.C. Harold and Iola were with us. Then after they moved to Dallas we stayed with them in their apartment with the pool which the kids loved. Terry and I loved the nachos your mother made. They were new to us mid-westerners. Can’t forget the belly dance your mother did.

Of course we remember the fun we had at the house your parents rented for us along the beach at Fort Meyers. We had a great time.

Love,

Dear Chuck and Donna,

Wow! 50 years!!!

As I start this note to you, it is hard to think of where to begin. There have been so many times together and as far as I can remember, all really good times.

Starting with your wedding, just really getting to know you two. You both were young children. Can’t imagine now, after all this time even thinking of getting married that young. A different time. One incident that I recall at your wedding was that Julie and Robyn were with us. Both being young, in fact, Robyn being just barely a month old. I was nursing her and thought I had been well prepared with my bodily functions being a new mother, only to find out I wasn’t. My breasts starting leaking on my dress and I was not prepared for what should happen next. Frank was busy participating, which he was supposed to be doing and I think out of frustration I had all that I could do not to burst out crying. A helpless feeling. Oh well. It too passed, like everything else and life just moved on.

We miss the two of your coming to the beach and being together. Now that we are older we had time we had time to spend together without much interruption. I will cherish those times particularly because we were together. I love the beach, so the setting was perfect and usually a beautiful sunset. Again, it too passed and for now life is moving on. That setting might be gone but we look forward to the next time together wherever that might be and again to be together to special times.

I wish you many wonderful years together filled with fun times, family times, grandchildren times, and just the two of you times. You have been blessed and have much to be thankful for. May you continue to love each other and enjoy every minute you can for the rest of your lives.

Hugs and kisses,

Chuck and Donna, Congratulations on FIFTY YEARS of togetherness. “Who said it wouldn’t last!?!!!!”

Memories, I have many. Most of them after you two were married. Ten years difference in age doesn’t mean much today, but it did when you were young. When I graduated from high school and left for college you were only seven years old. When Jean and I left for Europe, you were only fifteen years old. I am so glad that we have had so many great times together as married brothers.

I do remember the times we went golfing in Florida when you were in Texas and me in Maryland. You were able to get to know some of my friends and we had so many good golf games together. Especially when Brent was with us. Both Brent and Greg were a little different than your ordinary expectations for a pastor.

Donna, I remember so well your belly dancing days. I gave you credit for dancing before the family back then and still do today. It was also fun to see Chuck’s face during the dance. He was so proud and impressed!

We miss your being in Florida during the winter. It was a great hang out place for both Sally, Mike and us. Both our daughters and families were able to enjoy some time together. We even had a sleep over a time or two. What fun. Why not come back and give it another go?

May the rest of your lives together be not only a gift to the two of you, but to all of us who get to share the moments of your life.

Love,