Thirty years ago Kenneth was putting a drive line in a tandem dump truck. Gene Baugh was helping him. The temperature was -15 degrees. They went to Pueblo Brake and Clutch to pick up the repaired drive line and the place was closed. What to do now? We had discussed marriage for the past year, so he sent Gene home and turned to me and said, "Well, let's get this shittin' mess over with!"
Now what girl could resist a proposal like that? While he jumped in the shower, I donned my wedding apparel. I dug out my new jeans, a gingham shirt with flowers on the yoke, my white cowboy(girl) boots and we were off to Canon City. Buying the license took about 3 minutes and then we were given a list of ministers who would do the deed. We chose one in the assisted living facility just up the street. We could not meet with him until 4 o'clock so we went to the doughnut shop and had our wedding supper. He had a plain raised doughnut and I chose a chocolate covered one. Coffee was our beverage of choice!
We arrived promptly at the 3rd floor suite at 4 P.M. The minister signed the license and pronounced us man and wife, then went in search of witnesses. His wife was bedridden so we stuck our heads around the corner and she smiled at us. That was one. He stepped into the hall, waved someone down and we never laid eyes on number 2. Kenneth paid the man and we came home. At home we found a cheap bottle of wine in the center of the table. Seems Gene knew our plans. We did not open the wine for over six months and then only to get rid of it. That took three or 4 tries! But thanks any way, Gene!
Now thirty years later, I can still remember the temperature on that day! It is going to get up to 51 today. That is alright. Kenny has been gone almost ten years, but I do not think his memory has faded at all. I still hear him. I still see him. His ashes are still beside my bed. While everything has changed, it has still stayed the same.
Now what girl could resist a proposal like that? While he jumped in the shower, I donned my wedding apparel. I dug out my new jeans, a gingham shirt with flowers on the yoke, my white cowboy(girl) boots and we were off to Canon City. Buying the license took about 3 minutes and then we were given a list of ministers who would do the deed. We chose one in the assisted living facility just up the street. We could not meet with him until 4 o'clock so we went to the doughnut shop and had our wedding supper. He had a plain raised doughnut and I chose a chocolate covered one. Coffee was our beverage of choice!
We arrived promptly at the 3rd floor suite at 4 P.M. The minister signed the license and pronounced us man and wife, then went in search of witnesses. His wife was bedridden so we stuck our heads around the corner and she smiled at us. That was one. He stepped into the hall, waved someone down and we never laid eyes on number 2. Kenneth paid the man and we came home. At home we found a cheap bottle of wine in the center of the table. Seems Gene knew our plans. We did not open the wine for over six months and then only to get rid of it. That took three or 4 tries! But thanks any way, Gene!
Now thirty years later, I can still remember the temperature on that day! It is going to get up to 51 today. That is alright. Kenny has been gone almost ten years, but I do not think his memory has faded at all. I still hear him. I still see him. His ashes are still beside my bed. While everything has changed, it has still stayed the same.
Happy 30th Anniversary
Kenneth and Louella Mercer!
