1966, the first year of our marriage, already back from Georgia, in Hermosa Beach, California. Click for larger view.
It’s Sunday, and I usually post these on Monday, but this is different: It’s our anniversary.
I’ll never forget those three little words Anne said when I suggested we get married: “I guess so.”
We’d met years earlier. I was flipping hamburgers at a drug store fountain and she was friends with the dishwasher. We went out a few times. Then she went off to college and I went hitchhiking across America and Mexico . . . just because. There’s more to the story, but I try to keep these posts brief.
Later I was back in school, though with no particular direction. Through a series of driving incidents (too much sport, like I was a cowboy and my cars were bucking broncos) my license was revoked. Anne’s father owned a car dealership, and she had a car. Again, there was more to it than that, but it helped.
After that we remained close. Then I got a job offer that would take me across the country. It was to start in two weeks and I had to make a decision. That’s when I brought up the idea about marriage.
Her “I guess so” was enough; we started making plans. There would be no time to marry in the week before leaving so we’d tell our parents our plans to get married after moving to Georgia. You can imagine how that idea hit with them.
(I used to tell our children, “Please don’t do this to us.”)
My parents hardly knew Anne though could see quality. My mother, however, wanted us to marry “here,” in California. “There’s no time,” I said, “we’re flying on Friday.”
“You can get married on Thursday,” she said, always practical.
“Not in a church,” I protested. But she’d hear none of that. The fact that I’d long since broken out of that pasture didn’t mean the marriage of her first son (of five children) wouldn’t be there. She said she’d organize the whole thing; all we had to do was show up. She’d even iron a shirt for me. I figured it was the best offer we could ask for and agreed.
Upbeat, we went off to tell Anne’s parents.
They weren’t as elated.
Where had I come from, who was I, how much money did I have?
Happily I could answer that one. I had $800. It was the first time I could have said that. I don’t remember them being very impressed.
But they blessed us the best they could, hosting the reception at their house. I remember meeting friends of Anne’s family that evening. They’d known Anne growing up and gushed over her qualities as a person, something I heartily agreed with. Later I learned they’d been going up to her and saying, “Well, good luck.”
We left the next day for Georgia, a new location, a new job, new friends, our new life together and, for me, a new driver’s license.
That was 47 years ago today.
It was a house built on sand and it may well have collapsed had not the Master Builder entered in, some five years later, and shored up foundations. But like I said, I try to keep these brief.
We’re still enjoying each other’s company, still making trips hither and yon, our five children happily all well established (also hither and yon) as are the 15 grandchildren. Our wealth is our family, and our friends.
As for the money, there’s never been a lot, but always enough. Eight-hundred dollars can go a long way.
________________
PS For last year’s anniversary post, reviewing the years, click here.
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
3:49 am
We want the WHOLE story not merely the “brief” version!! Guess we’ll have to wait for the book. Congratulations!
5:26 am
Congratulations. Ready for—
The Book
6:24 am
Happy anniversary! You and Anne are an inspiration. At first, I thought that was Allison in the picture. God bless you and Anne this coming year.
6:50 am
You can do brief stories on what you skipped here… or like the others, I’ll read the book. God really did take care of you. Congrats!!!
7:12 am
Happy Anniversary and may you have many more. God Bless.
7:18 am
Happy Anniversary, Hyatt and Anne!
What an interesting life you both have led. Quite the adventure and it would be a good to some day to get the whole story. I’m sure it would inspire.
Reading this today, with a smile, was a great start to my day. :)
7:34 am
Love love love!!!!!Happy Anniversary! God is good! Blessings to you and Anne!
8:24 am
Congratulations on your Anniversary, you couple of hipsters! Such a fun photo! We also married in 1966. How does 47 years go by so quickly?
8:34 am
What a beautiful story and what a beautiful bride! This was a pleasure to read. Thanks for sharing.
9:31 am
You would have been one of those slightly older friends I’d be hanging out with in ’66, Hyatt … such an influence! Here’s to these golden years, as your lives continue to bless us. Happy Anniversary! LOVE the Speedster.
9:35 am
Yes, congratulations…and we all want to hear the rest of the story. Was the Porsche before or after the new license??
10:33 am
We are all the wealthier for your union. Blessings to you both on your anniversary!
11:25 am
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY you two!! Today is also my son’s and daughter-in-law’s anniversary – their 7th! I hope they have as long and happy a run as you two have had:-)
It is (always has been) a real pleasure knowing you both! May our Lord continue to bless you abundantly with more of what you already have… His love, your love together, good health and time with family.
Love,
Kathy
11:32 am
Wow. What a great looking blog–not to mention what it says!
12:53 pm
Dear Anne and Hyatt,
We are all savoring those tantalizing morsels of your story and how the Master Builder graciously engineered a complete and extreme makeover!
And your happy thoughts about your “hither and yon” children remind me of fulfilled blessings in Psalm 127,
“Children born to a young man
are like arrows in a warrior’s hands.
How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them!”
Happy Anniversary from across the pond, from our hearth here in Madrid, Spain to your hearth there in California!
Louis and Lisa
2:33 pm
Yall are beautifully suited for each other. Thank you for posting the photo- it’s wonderful! Happy Anniversary to you both1
2:52 pm
Happy Anniversary to two very special people. May God continue to bless and use you for His Glory, and continue to stretch that $800.
Love to both of you from both of us…….
Ed and Judie
2:56 pm
God – thank you for turning the sand into the cornerstone for this special couple.
Happy Anniversay
and many more blessings,
Ursula B.
3:04 pm
Dear Hyatt & Anne, We know your 47th anniversary will be happy because 46 others have been JOY full! Tell the story one day for your 5 children & 15 GRANDchildren… and let us read it over their shoulders! PS Let Anne write at least parts of the story with you!
4:35 pm
Wonderful pic!! You are both a divine example of the love, patience, and respect a
a marriage should be! HAPPY 47th!!!
7:17 pm
Great picture you should paint it.
7:45 pm
Happy Anniversary! Congratulations to you both. I adore the photograph and as always so enjoy everything you write. May God continue to bless you both, Dee
8:04 pm
yes – paint it! Love you tons!
8:19 pm
Happy Anniversary !!!! Anne and Hyatt,
Thanks for sharing your beautiful story of lives.
That inspired me.
9:03 pm
I always love your story. Happy anniversary to both of you. May many more yeas to come. Bless you.
9:42 pm
Wishing you many more and grateful to have you both for friends.
11:52 pm
Thanks, I always wondered. Yeh, nice car, but the Lady has had more durability and remains more beautiful…
B TV
6:12 am
Nice looking couple.
“I guess so” does sound pretty rough Hyatt. :)
But,”I guess so” and God can easily become a rock-hewn “I do”.
Thank you for sharing this!
Pastor Adam Barton
Akron, Ohio
7:41 am
Congratulations! Love the picture and the story.
3:27 pm
Congratulations! Wow, 47! We just crossed the 20 year mark, that seems like nothing in comparison. Your picture is classic!!!! Totally love it. Amen to the book idea. We want a full detailed version. You guys have the most amazing life stories to tell. Praise God for His master work.
5:14 pm
Ilove the picture and I love the story. It is so nice of you to share…… You are the best.
5:35 pm
Hipsters then and now! I love that story, and yes, at some point details should be shared. By the way…that is my dream car you’re leaning on!
7:09 pm
Rich or poor, from the right or left side of the tracks, Thusday or Sunday…none of it matters. I and a few other kids are glad you did! Thanks for choosing each other and giving us life!
10:19 am
I love the story He has written of you Hyatt and Anne. And is continually writing. It’s beautiful. And what a cool photo. That’s just cool.
11:27 am
So Beautiful, thank you
it gives us inspiration and hope and warmth to know this story about you
<3
2:47 pm
Now it makes sense to me why after announcing Nicole and my engagement – a month after getting together again – Grandma exclaims, “What took you so long?!”
3:38 pm
Dear Hyatt and Anne
Congratulations on your 47th anniversary. You two are truly an inspiration. Great photo and Hyatt you did well! You have such a skill for saying so much with so few words. I loved the short story and look forward to learning more about the adventures and continuing to learn from your wisdom and experience. God bless
Jim Skelly
4:31 pm
As Tanya stated, we were married about the same time as you, but I didn’t have any $800.00, like you mentioned. Did you save up for the marriage? How did you have such a nice car as a young whippersnap? I only remember having the paycheck from the last week, when we were at the alter……
Congratulations, you’ve done well……..
8:47 pm
Happy Anniversary to you Anne and Hyatt!! Sure glad The Master Builder shored up the foundation. I would love to hear all the details! There is a lot to learn from you,two past and present. Nice car back then and now! I miss you guys!
Much love,
Trish
1:23 am
Well,, I am the 40th person to comment! WOW!!! I made it!! What an absolutely funny, endearing, wonderful, the best one yet, Hyatt!!!!!! ——–blog about you and your lovely Anne!!!! I absolutely loved every word, every sentence, how you wrote it, your attitude, and your young man’s views of how you were going to live your life!! ———whether or not your parents were on board or not or even Anne for that matter!!! Or whether you had a plan or money or anything!!! SSSOOOOOO funny!!! Kevin and I were a bit like that too 37 years ago last May!!! Such a funny way we all start out in life and in marriage. Wonderful how The Lord helps to make it all turn out well and for His great glory if we let Him!!! Loved this!! Love you both in that picture too!!! Such a handsome couple you make!! I especially like all the attitude you seem to have Hyatt, in that photo! and Anne so stunningly beautiful!!! Thank you for sharing this wonderful beginning of your life with us! This truly was divine!!! :)
10:57 am
Thanks for the tip to check out your anniversary post Hyatt! I loved it!! That was pretty much the same answer I gave my husband, with a lengthy pause and an added line “but I want to do missions” thrown in, while he suffered down on one knee. (His quick thinking reply was “we’ll do it together”.) And 34+ years, 3 kids and 2 grandchildren later, we are going strong, thanks be to God!
12:50 pm
What a LOVELY love story…. I just loved it! ( There’s a lot of love…. :-) ) Thank you for sharing Hyatt and God bless your family, kids and 15 grandchildren!
PS: What a classic picture…. :-)
1:05 pm
Great story Hyatt. Both of you are an inspiration to all us married folk. Thank you for sharing and congratulations!
1:06 pm
Oh, and that’s a great photo of you two. Was that Porsche yours?
1:31 pm
Marty, Of course it was mine. A ’58, another of the bucking broncos.
8:29 pm
Love it!
4:32 pm
What a beautiful Reader’s Digest account of an eternal love affair! The photograph is a classic and I noticed that the first letters of the license plate are “OZ”….the magic was written in the wind for you two from the beginning. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY WITH ALL MY BEST WISHES!!
6:07 pm
What a classic shot! I saw this photo of you and Anne on Allison’s facebook page. Woww, no one has mentioned how much Allison & Anne look alike – two beautiful women!
Happy belated anniversary Hyatt & Anne (you lil hipsters). I admire you both so much and love every chance to spend time with you!
6:01 pm
What a neat photo of a beautiful young couple…and the Speedster. My own “bronco” was a 1966 Alfa Romeo 1600 Voloce roadster. Let’s hear it for wonderful, simple, distinctive and beautiful autos..that are really fun to drive.
We are so pleased you returned to our “JP Studio” here in Toledo, Oregon to paint and work. Happy anniversary and may God bless you with many more.
Michael
7:00 am
Wow!! What a journey! Your description of parents’ reactions adds an extra dimension to God’s Plan. You two are both lucky.