The Glessner’s Celebrate #50…WOW!

This past week Tomi and I have received a lot of mail and best wishes from distant relatives, our children, our friends and neighbors, and our grandchildren.

The attention given to both of us recognizes our fifty-years of marriage!

It is hard to realize that all the years have passed so quickly. The memories are vivid, and I could write volumes about our life together.

Tomi and I have known each other since childhood.

We were neighbors; she lived directly across the street from me. I watched and laughed at her when she was three-years old strutting her “new look” down the street in front of my house; a large hat on her head, her mother’s high-heeled shoes on her feet, and she carried a purse that was almost as big as her small child silhouette. The clatter of the high-heeled shoes on the blacktop road was annoying to a boy of my age. She was always dressed in her latest idea of fashion.

Occasionally, she would come over to my house and watch me, as I painted the front porch or completed other chores. Her chatter always was upsetting, and I asked her to go home many times. She would turn and walk home with the clattering of those high heels diminishing as she walked away.

At about age five, Tomi, (we called her “Iodine” at the time) was again visiting me and being her usual talkative self. When I again asked her to go home, because I had to go play baseball with the guys, she became rather annoyed. She turned and looked at me and said, “Do you know that I’m going to marry you when I grow up! “Sure your will, now go home,” I said.

Living in a small town, Tomi and I went to the same school, had the same teachers, knew the same people, and had many of the same friends. Although we traveled in different friendship circles, it was an amazing awakening for me when one day at the local dance hall, I became very aware that she was no longer the obnoxious little girl next door.

Tomi was a real beauty! She was also dating a guy from a rival high school. It took a lot of maneuvering and time, but my persistence and intentions were successful, or so I was lead to believe! We were married…and that was fifty-years ago! It seems like that was only yesterday; however, the years tell a different story.

Fifty-years is a long time; then again, my sister, Helen, and her husband, Paul, just celebrated their sixty-fourth wedding anniversary! Now that is an accomplishment! Tomi and I have a lot to look forward to! We too hope to reach my sister’s anniversary record.

It is with some trepidation that I must admit that since we both have so many relatives living within the same small town, our marriage not only made us husband and wife, but also through or family relationships, almost made us kissing cousins! Many of you have heard all the marriage stories coming out of those Pennsylvania mountains! Some stories are almost true!

We want to thank everyone for all the cards and best wishes. Thanks too to our daughter, Ami, her husband, Alan, for hosting a wonderful party! Thanks too to our son, Wayne Jr. for his thoughtfulness and assisting in the celebration. Wow,…the celebration was something!

Thanks to all of you for your thoughtfulness!

Wayne and Tomi Glessner