DRACONIA KEEP where Magic and Dreams Become Reality

October 12, 2006

And They Said It Would Never Last

Fifty-nine years ago, on a chilly, but clear Nashville, Tennessee evening, two people were married after the church service.

They didn't have the money for anything else. It would be 45 years before they would have a wedding cake, and 50 years before they had a wedding reception.

Burt and Elizabeth Jernigan are my maternal grandparents, and they are celebrating their 59 years together today. I love them both more than they know, and I appreciate them even more.

When Doug and I got married, it was just a few weeks shy of Gram and Gramps' 45th wedding anniversary. My whole life, and especially after my mom died nearly two years before, they had helped me in countless ways. Ever since Gramps bought my first pair of shoes, he and Gram have been a huge part of my life.

SO when we got married, we decided to share a bit of our wedding with them. After Doug and I fed each other our cake, the DJ made an announcement that said that since they'd not had a wedding cake or a reception that we would share ours with them.

It had been a secret from no one but them. The stunned looks on their faces were priceless.

So they cut their own cake with an engraved knife and spatula and fed each other.

There wasn't a dry eye in the place. <G>

Here we are shortly after the DJ's announcement.

Then, after we danced to our song, we had my grandparents' song, "Because" played, and they danced to their song--after 45 years. <G>

Five years later when they celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, Doug and I gave them a catered reception at which they renewed their vows.

Here is the poem I wrote for them...entitled "Because" and ends with "I love you Truly" for another of their favorite songs.

“Because”

Because

By the will of God,

Burtle and Elizabeth created

a bond to last a lifetime,

Fifty years ago

in Nashville, Tennessee,

Together they walked the aisle

At Ivy Chapel Baptist Church

One Sunday night

after the church service

Bobbie Jean and Joe stood beside them,

The pews overfilled with people

wishing them well.

That lovely night

Burt and Liz voiced their vows

Earnest and gracious

To sustain them,

“in sickness and in health,

in poverty and in wealth

till death do them part.”

Then eternal rings sealed their love,

To begin their life together.

Today, as then, they are friends

as well as partners, never alone,

in trial and in joy.

Strong from their tears and laughter,

They have triumphed for fifty years,

and will always

With the grace of God,

be invincible together

because,

this day, once again,

they affirm

one to the other

“I love you truly.”

Doug and I have been 14 years. I look forward to at least another 45 with him... I have a golden example to follow.

Happy Anniversary, Gram and Gramps,

Love,

Doug, Tori, Mikyla, Aleyna and Lance